Several precautions need to be taken as soon as a child is born. In addition to several tests performed before birth, such as blood typing, which determines the Rh factor, for example, the baby still needs to be examined and undergo some analyses before being able to go home calmly. This happens because most diseases or problems resulting from pregnancy or childbirth itself are more easily resolved in the early moments of a human being’s life.
Blood Typing
One of the tests performed even during prenatal care is blood typing, where the baby’s blood type and Rh factor are determined. The Rh blood group system is classified among A, B, and O, with positive and negative Rh factors.
- A (A+, A-, AB+, AB-)
- B (B+, B-)
- O (O+, O-)
Universal Donor
Within these groups, it is important to note that type O blood with a negative Rh factor is the universal donor, meaning it is a blood type that can be transfused into anyone. On the other hand, type AB blood with a negative Rh factor is the universal recipient, meaning it can receive blood from any other type without consequences. A person with positive Rh has in their body a protein called antigen D, located on the surface of red blood cells, while a person with negative Rh does not have this antigen. About 95% of the Brazilian population has a positive Rh factor, which is common throughout the world. However, it is important to know that there are exceptions and that there are some risks when a mother has negative Rh, even if it is only harmful in some specific cases (when the baby has a positive Rh factor). The mother needs to be aware of the dangers of pregnancy with a different Rh factor from the baby, and also know that certain precautions need to be taken.
Problems with a Different Rh Factor
The greatest danger of a mother having negative Rh is when there is a chance that the baby is Rh positive, meaning the mother does not have the D antigen. This usually happens due to genetic inheritance from the baby’s father. The major problem is that, since the mother’s body does not have this protein, her body may see the baby as a foreign body if there is any kind of contact between the mother’s blood and the baby’s blood. This makes the mother’s body interpret the baby as some kind of invader or parasite and attempt to eliminate it, which can cause various problems during pregnancy. However, this kind of problem usually does not appear in the first pregnancy, with the risk being higher from the second pregnancy onward, when the mother’s immune system is more likely to cross the placenta and attack the fetus’s blood cells. This occurs because, during the first birth, the mother’s blood ends up coming into contact with the baby’s, and thus the woman’s body learns that antigen D exists and is a potential threat to the body, thereby producing antibodies against this antigen. This phenomenon is known as hemolytic disease of the newborn, or Rhesus disease.
ATTENTION: It is important to remember that hemolytic disease of the newborn does not always happen, even when the woman is pregnant for the second or third time, although the risks are higher.
How Does the Baby’s Blood Come Into Contact With the Mother’s?
There are some cases in which the baby’s blood can come into contact with the mother’s, causing hemolytic disease even in the woman’s first pregnancy. These cases include:
- When there is vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, whether or not it is caused by a blow and especially after 12 weeks of pregnancy
- When there is a pregnancy outside the uterus (tubal or ectopic)
- When tests that collect fetal cells are performed
- During childbirth
When the mother’s blood comes into contact with the baby’s blood, it is important to be aware of the consequences of this kind of problem.
Consequences of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
There are some dangers and problems that can arise if a mother’s body recognizes her child as a foreign body due to the Rh factor. The main ones are:
The problems may be more or less severe, depending on the reaction of the mother’s body and how the hemolytic disease was prevented. In many cases, the baby may not exhibit any of these symptoms and go on to live a normal life.
Prevention of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
It is important to know that, once antibodies against antigen D are produced in the woman’s body, they cannot be removed. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent them from being produced. Prevention is carried out with anti-Rh immunoglobulin serum, injected right after the birth of the first baby who has a positive Rh factor. There are intrauterine tests to determine if the baby has a positive Rh factor, different from the mother’s. However, they are not recommended by doctors, because there is a risk of the mother’s blood coming into contact with the baby’s blood, which can cause problems if the Rh factors are conflicting.
ATTENTION: It is always important to know the father’s Rh factor, as this can determine whether or not there are risks of this type in pregnancy.
Treatment of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
The treatment for this type of disease may vary according to the severity of the problem. Tests to determine the severity of hemolytic disease of the newborn are performed using amniotic fluid. Depending on the severity, a complete blood transfusion may even be performed, so that the baby receives Rh negative blood, whose cells are not destroyed by the antibodies produced by the mother’s blood. Over time, it is natural for the cells to revert to being Rh positive, free from problems. Having a baby is not an easy task and there are various points where we need to pay attention and take care. But the truth is that all these precautions taken over the nine months of pregnancy are worth it when you see that your baby is healthy and free of any health risks. Of course, the care for the baby is just beginning, as there is an entire life to be formed, but the pleasure of being a mother and having someone you created makes up for any headache that may arise along the way. See Also: Extended Heel Prick Test – Which Diseases Does It Detect? Photo: Canon EOS 6D
