What happens when an Rh-negative mother becomes sensitized?

Key points about Rh disease It happens when the Rh factors in the mom’s and baby’s blood don’t match. If the Rh negative mother has been sensitized to Rh positive blood, her immune system will make antibodies to attack her baby. When the antibodies enter your baby’s bloodstream, they will attack the red blood cells.

How long does it take to become Rh sensitized?

Once sensitized, it takes approximately one month for Rh antibodies in the maternal circulation to equilibrate in the fetal circulation. In 90% of cases, sensitization occurs during delivery.

Do you give RhoGAM to sensitized mother?

The chances of mixing and sensitization are lower earlier in pregnancy, but there’s still a risk. Most experts recommend a RhoGAM shot at 28 weeks to head-off sensitization, as well as after birth.

What happens if you are Rh sensitized?

If you are sensitized to the Rh factor The antibodies kill Rh-positive red blood cells. If you become pregnant with an Rh-positive baby (fetus), the antibodies can destroy your fetus’s red blood cells. This can cause anemia.

Can Rh sensitization be cured?

If your newborn is Rh-positive, you are given Rh immune globulin again within 72 hours after delivery. By preventing Rh sensitization from delivery, you are protecting your next Rh-positive fetus. If your newborn is Rh-negative, sensitization cannot happen, and no treatment is needed.

How do I know if I have been sensitized?

At the first prenatal visit, your blood is tested to see if you have been previously sensitized to Rh-positive blood. If you are Rh-negative and test results show that you are not sensitized, a repeat test may be done between 24 and 28 weeks.

How can you avoid becoming Rh sensitized?

If you have Rh-negative blood but aren’t Rh-sensitized, you may need one or more shots of Rh immune globulin (such as RhoGAM). This prevents Rh sensitization in nearly all women who use it. The shots only work for a short time, so you’ll need shots each time you get pregnant.

Can RhoGAM cause Rh sensitization?

RhoGAM Safety No one in the United States has gotten an infection from using RhoGAM since 1985. The chances of developing Rh sensitization, and the risks to pregnancies that come with it, are much higher than the risk of potential problems from the RhoGAM injection.

How do I know if I am Rh sensitized?

Every woman has her blood tested at the first prenatal visit to see what her blood type is. If your blood is Rh-negative, it will also be tested for antibodies to Rh-positive blood. If you have antibodies, that means that you have been sensitized to Rh-positive blood.