The Rh factor is a protein located on the surface of red blood cells in the blood. The presence or absence of this antigen can be determined by a simple blood group test.
Statistical data indicate that in a seventh of the world's population the Rh factor is negative. This means that the protein on the surface of the red blood cells, which was mentioned above, is completely absent.
Negative Rhesus factor in women: why is it dangerous?
This genetic feature is characteristic for both men and women, but for a strong half of the population it poses absolutely no danger. Also, worry about the Rh factor is not worth the women who have it positive. The only cause for concern is the case when a woman has a Rhesus factor negative and she carries a Rh-positive fetus. In cases where the blood of the mother of the child does not contain antibodies, and in the father’s blood on the surface of the red blood cells there is a protein responsible for the positive Rh factor, there is a risk that the fetus will inherit the father’s genes. There is a risk of the formation of a Rhesus conflict, which can cause a number of troubles. They are mainly associated with the second and third pregnancy.
The mother's body takes the protein in the blood of the fetus as a foreign body, and the process of formation of protective cells begins, which through the placenta can penetrate the unborn baby and destroy his immunity even in the womb. The pregnant woman does not feel any changes, but they can be determined using special tests. Sometimes the first and second child are born healthy, but with each subsequent pregnancy, the risk increases more and more. In such cases, they say that a woman has a Rh factor positively negative. Statistics show that only 0.8% of pregnant women have such a thing as a Rhesus conflict. This can
cause a miscarriage or some serious illness of the child, such as an increase in the size of the spleen, heart and liver, jaundice, erythroblastosis or reticulocytosis. In more severe cases - anemia,
edematous syndrome in a baby or even dropsy of the fetus. Since these diseases are very serious, in many cases, the birth of a dead child or the death of a newborn can occur.
In what cases is Rhesus sensitization manifested?
There are a lot of reasons for the antibodies to antigen D to start to form in the mother’s body:
- getting the baby’s blood into the mother’s bloodstream during childbirth (in the case when the mother is “positive” and the Rh factor is negative in the fetus);
- in cases of ectopic or terminated pregnancy,
- with miscarriage or bleeding for a period of more than 12 weeks, etc.
How to avoid rhesus conflict?
In most cases, a mother who does not have antigen D in her blood will have a healthy baby when the first gene is present. In subsequent pregnancies, the situation becomes more complicated, but even in such cases, do not lose hope. For example, special antibodies are introduced into the mother’s body in which the Rh factor is negative, within three days after delivery or other events that provoke blood mixing with the opposite Rh factor, which block the formation of protective reactions in the female body. This is the most reliable help for those who want to create a large family and give birth not only to one child, but several.