Rh Incompatibility

Question 1

When is Rh Incompatibility
a concern?

Answer 1

Mom a neg, and Father +, resulting in a possible + baby.

Question 2

Describe what happens to the 1st child

Answer 2

During the birth of the Rh- mother’s first Rh+ child, some fetal blood can enter the mother’s blood stream.

The mother’s body will produce antibodies to attack the Rh antigen.

Question 3

Describe what happens to the 2nd child

Answer 3

second Rh+ child,
antibodies produced from the first pregnancy can pass into the fetal blood stream

antibodies will destroy fetal RBCs causing HEMOLYTIC DISEASE OF THE NEWBORN 🡪 from mild to severe anemia, brain damage, or heart failure.

Question 4

What can be done?

Answer 4

Inject mother with Rh IMMUNE GLOBLIN
These are injected antibodies which will attack any Rh+ RBC in the mother’s blood WITHOUT her producing her own antibodies = not sensitized

Question 5

When are the injections given

Answer 5

@ start
@ 28 weeks
@ birthD

Question 6

Does it matter if mom is Rh+

Answer 6

No, Rh- baby can be accepted