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Curtis & MaryAnn
We are set to adopt a baby boy due on November 10 from a truly special woman. This adoption process has been more enjoyable than either one of us could have ever imagined. Our birth mother is so great she's almost to good to be true but the crazy things is that she feels the same way about us. Thank you Parent Profiles for being the avenue which allowed Lara to find more ...
Prenatal testing has made great strides in the past few years, and many problems are able to be diagnosed and treated long before the baby makes its appearance into the world. One such test that should be considered for all moms-to-be early on in the pregnancy is the Rhesus or Rh factor test. This simple blood test will help you determine whether your blood type is RH positive or RH negative. Approximately 15% of pregnant woman are RH negative, which could cause problems later on down the line- depending on the baby.
The premise sounds complicated but really isn't. If your blood is RH positive, then you shouldn't have to undergo any further testing. If your blood is RH negative, then your partner will then be tested for the RH factor. If his blood is indeed RH positive, then there could be potential problems with the pregnancy. In any pregnancy, there is a chance that the baby's blood could mix with the moms, either in utero or during delivery. If this occurs and the baby is opposite of yours- your body could start to develop antibodies to "defend" itself against the foreign blood of your baby. This usually isn't a problem with the first child, but subsequent pregnancies could end up disastrous.
The best bet is to be checked early for the RH factor. All moms that are RH negative should receive an injection at 28 weeks and after delivery, that contains RH immune globin, which will prevent them from developing antibodies. If you happen to miscarry or have a chorionic villus sampling or amnio, you should also receive this shot just in case the baby was indeed RH positive. Prevention is the key to having a successful pregnancy and the possibility for siblings in the future.
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