Pregnancy is an extremely difficult period for any woman. And even if she does not feel much discomfort, her body undergoes severe changes and “attacks”. First of all, on immunity. But why is this needed? After all, it is necessary on the contrary - to protect both yourself and the child!
This statement is quite correct. But do not forget that human pregnancy is parasitic in nature: the embryo, and subsequently the fetus, is completely dependent on the mother's body, feeds on it, grows and develops in it. On the one hand it sounds awful, but if you look at it from a different point of view, it is quite natural and normal.
A decrease in immunity occurs so that the body does not attack a foreign body or fetus, as a potential threat. It is in such cases that immunoglobulin is administered during pregnancy. These are additional immune cells that have anti-inflammatory effects and enhance activity. But if a human immunoglobulin is necessary during pregnancy, then only in exceptional cases and when the possible risk of the assistance provided exceeds the risk of possible health problems in the child.
Immunoglobulin during pregnancy is necessary for women with immunodeficiency (HIV or AIDS). It is introduced exclusively under the supervision of a doctor and the dosage in each individual case is carefully calculated. This is the first indication for taking an agent such as human immunoglobulin during pregnancy.
Immunoglobulin itself is synthesized from blood plasma, which is obtained from donors, which makes the drug almost identical to natural antibodies. Do not forget that all donated blood passes strict control for the presence of harmful components and it is impossible to become infected with something from injections. Immunoglobulin is administered during pregnancy by intravenous or intramuscular droppers.
However, there is another serious reason for the appointment of this drug - the Rh conflict of the mother and the fetus. It occurs when the mother’s blood is Rh negative and the child inherits a positive Rhesus from his father. The case is not so rare. Immunoglobulin during pregnancy in this case is prescribed anti-Rhesus. And usually it is necessary for repeated pregnancy. The fact is that the Rhesus conflict of the child and mother, who is pregnant for the first time, does not require the introduction of this drug, because antibodies have not yet been developed. In subsequent pregnancies, they can be produced and cause very great harm to the baby: brain damage, mental retardation, severe cases of hemolytic jaundice, etc.
If before this pregnancy the woman had: miscarriage, abortion, abdominal injuries, accompanied by the penetration of fetal blood into the maternal circulatory system, blood transfusion with positive rhesus, then it is not recommended to introduce anti-rhesus immunoglobulin during pregnancy. If necessary, then anti-D-immunoglobulin is administered in the first 72 hours after birth.
If at the 28th week of pregnancy the Rh conflict is still manifested, then immunoglobulin is additionally administered. Until then, the pregnant woman is under the constant supervision of a doctor and regularly passes a blood test for antibodies.
It is worth recalling that human immunoglobulin fights bacteria, viruses, infections and fungi. It is because of the wide and strong spectrum of action that the introduction of additional cells can cause serious side effects - from allergic manifestations to shortness of breath and bronchospasm. This is another reason why immunoglobulin is administered during pregnancy exclusively under the supervision of physicians.
One significant circumstance that stops many before the appointment of immunoglobulins is that its effect on the body is not fully understood. Indeed, along with a significant decrease in immunity, pregnant women are less susceptible to infectious diseases. The same paradox is confirmed by the fact that during pregnancy many inflammatory processes disappear, and especially in the pelvic organs. By the end of the term of carrying the baby, the true immunity is restored, and some inflammations re-form. A detailed study of this fact remains to be done.
We wish you and your family good health and protect your natural immunity so that you don’t later restore it!