Discovery Home & Health

Hi,

I'm 15+4 pg with my first baby and found out a couple of weeks ago that my blood type is A negative. As we are pretty sure that DH is rhesus positive the midwife has advised me to have Anti-D jabs during pregnancy and immediately after the birth if my baby is positive too, in case I develop antibodies against this baby or future babies.

Just wondering if any other mums-to-be have made the decision to have these jabs and what they were like (I'm a bit squeamish about needles!), or if anyone has decided against them, as I don't know anyone else who is in the 15 percent of people who are rhesus neg (trust me!). I've been given some info about the injections but it doesn't go into detail about any side-effects.

Thanks,
Nic Q

Hi There my mum has this and had to have the injections, she is O neg.

http://www.cochrane.org/cochrane/revabstr/AB000020.htm



http://www2.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100003104.html


Here are a couple of links that might help you.

Best Wishes
Lorraine. x

Thanks Lorraine,

According to the NetDoctor site the side-effects don't sound too horrible - I think I'll just have to go for the jabs just to be on the safe side. There are plenty of other things to worry about when you're pregnant without obsessing about a couple of injections! []

Nic Q xxx

Thats true. And lets be honest its done to help you and your baby and they wouldn't do it if it was not needed. you will be fine.
xx

Hi

Sorry. Did not spot your post before now. I too am rhesus neg and I didnt find out till 24 weeks as it took that long for the midwife to get my blood.

I had all the anti-d jabs and I am petrified completely of needles and anything medical. My daughter Lauren is 3 mths old today and is rhesus pos so I also had anti d after she was born. The jabs are fine and you dont see needle cos you have it in your b*m. My mw was dreading telling me im rhesus neg but in the end it was another one of them things I just had to get on with to have my beautiful daughter. In labour I even had an epidural (BEST THING EVER) and shocked everyone. I didnt even feel the needle go in and it was lovely being pain free for most of my long 24-26 hr labour.

I dont know much about side effects but I just decided was best all round for me to have these injections. I couldnt stand the thought of future babies being harmed by antibodies.

Take care and hope your PG goes well

Deb & baby Lauren x

Thanks Deb,

Congratulations on the arrival of your baby girl, it really helps to hear from someone who's had the Anti-D. My midwife says having neg blood just makes me 'special'! I won't be so worried about having the jabs now.

Nic x

Hi Nic Q

If you are ever anxious about any of it, just give me a shout. I am usually floating about on the boards or my email addy is ebay@quality-bargains.co.uk

I can honestly say from the second I found out I was pregnant I was anxious about getting my bloods done etc but when she took my blood I didnt even know the needle was in my right arm!!! I am not over my fear of anything medical but like I said in the end I just had done what was best after taking medical advice. I must admit the whole rhesus neg thing worries me overall for future pregnancies but I have been told that its a common thing these days and rarely causes any issues. I must admit I did have to laugh that my daughter was rhesus + so I didnt even get out of that last injection.

Take care

Deb & Lauren x

ps. Its kinda good to know im not the only one who panics about stuff like needles. I cant even be in the room when Lauren has her vaccinations. Her dad took her on Fri for her 2nd lot.