In the blood of Rh-positive people, there is a specific protein that is on red blood cells. 15% of the world's population are Rh-negative, because they do not have this protein. The Rh factor is an individual trait that is inherited, but it does not affect human health.
Typically, Rhesus affiliation should be determined together with a blood group in the laboratory.
What is rhesus conflict?
This phenomenon worries women with Rh negative. During pregnancy, a conflict may arise between the mother and the fetus, provided that the child has inherited Rh-positive blood from the father.
Normally, the blood of the mother and the fetus never mixes, but violations of the placenta and trauma can cause fetal red blood cells to enter the bloodstream of a woman. When a certain “concentration threshold” is reached, the mother’s immune system begins to produce antibodies against the foreign protein (it is the Rh factor on the erythrocytes of the fetus) to destroy, that is, destroy the fetal blood. As a result of this, a hemolytic disease occurs in the child. Sometimes the conflict can be so strong that there are defects in the formation of the nervous system.
The likelihood of developing this phenomenon is not so great, the first pregnancy (if there are no pathologies) most often ends successfully, but each subsequent pregnancy increases the risk of conflict by 10-15%.
Antibodies can also form after an abortion, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, Cesarean section and placental abruption. The likelihood of sensitization depends on the number of fetal red blood cells that enter the body of the mother.
How to prevent rhesus conflict?
Although the Rh conflict is not dangerous for the health of the mother, the consequences of the hemolytic disease are very difficult for the baby, therefore it is worthwhile to prevent this phenomenon in all women who have Rh negative blood.
So, all pregnant women are prescribed a blood test in early pregnancy to determine the Rhesus. The further algorithm of actions depends on the situation.
Usually the first pregnancy proceeds normally. Throughout the period, it is necessary to determine the level of anti- Rhesus antibodies in the blood of a woman. Up to 32 weeks, blood is checked once a month, up to 35 weeks - 2 times a month, and then every week. While antibodies should not be. If a Rh-positive baby is born, then the mother must necessarily introduce the drug "Antirhesus immunoglobulin" in the first 72 hours after birth. Such a measure does not allow antibodies to the Rh factor to appear. This is necessary to maintain the normal course of subsequent pregnancy.
If an abortion, miscarriage or detachment of the placenta has occurred , this is also an indication for administering the Anti-Rhesus Immunoglobulin.
The Rh factor conflict in the first pregnancy may be associated with previously transfused positive blood to a woman whose Rh negative.
How does the anti-Rhesus immunoglobulin drug work?
The substance prevents the formation of antibodies to the Rh factor, which means the appearance of hemolysis of red blood cells in the fetus.
Most often, the baby’s blood enters the mother’s bloodstream during childbirth, so the introduction of the anti-Rhesus immunoglobulin drug is indicated for the woman immediately after the baby is born. This measure is not taken for this child, but helps prevent the development of hemolytic disease during the next pregnancy. At the discretion of the doctor, you can also administer the drug for a period of 28 weeks of pregnancy, if there is a risk of mixing two bloods before delivery.
Anti-Rhesus immunoglobulin is contraindicated in case of sensitization (the presence of antibodies to the Rh factor in the blood of a pregnant woman), children, as well as women who have Rh-positive blood. It cannot be administered intravenously. The dosage depends on the amount of blood (namely red blood cells) that has entered the body of the mother.
Anti-Rhesus immunoglobulin allows a woman with Rh-negative blood to have as many children as she wants.