Erythroblastosis Fetalis... is your child at risk?

Guest

I thought I'd share my medical talents with the mothers here...

Erythroblastosis Fetalis (E.F.) affects Rh-negative women (with blood types of A-, B-, AB-, and O-) who are pregnant with their second Rh-positive baby (blood types of A+, B+, AB+, and O+). Both the first child and the in utero baby must be Rh-positive to be at risk. E.F. isn't as common as it was many years ago, but it should be known to all Rh-negative women. Usually, after the birth of the first child (Rh-positive) the mother is given a shot of RhoGam to prevent anti-Rh anitbodies from attacking Rh-positive blood cells that may come into contact with the mother's immune system if she were to have another Rh-positive child. However (this was the case when I was born), sometimes anti-Rh anitbodies form anyway and during delivery when the mother and child's blood mix, the antibodies attack and destroy the child's red blood cells (erythrocytes). This can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin) which is dangerous.

If anyone has any questions about E.F., feel free to post here and I'll do my best to answer them. Smile

Guest · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:59 pm Post subject:

I am A- and baby brooky was A+..i had the shot shortly after she was born to prevent any further complication's!! This is really not such a big deal! My mom had an rh factor blood type with all 4 of her pregnancies..and we all turned out just fine! Just to clarify any confusion that will probably start with this thread...it's really not a threat at all..so don't get scared...pregnancies bring enough to worry about!!

Guest · Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:52 am Post subject:

~Baby~Girl~69 · Senior member **Joined:** 02 Oct 2004 **Posts:** 1155

ok well you did a good job at scaring me....lol..i had the rogham(sp??) shot a couple days ago and I will probably get it again after the baby is born..(if i need it)...i was told this isnt a big deal anymore and that the baby will be fine...A lot of babies have jaundice too though and turn out ok...but what are the complications jaundice can bring??

Guest · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 4:58 am Post subject:

~Baby~Girl~69 · Senior member **Joined:** 02 Oct 2004 **Posts:** 1155

thanks for the info...I am still confused though...this can't really hurt the baby can it??...i think my aunts baby had really bad jaundice when she was born...maybe thats why she's so freaking cranky and bad..lol...just kidding..

ncavileer · Full member **Joined:** 31 Dec 2004 **Posts:** 101

This is my third baby and i was diagnosed with rh- factor my first pregnancy i had the shot at 28wks and right after giving birth, same with the second both of my kids were pos blood carriers, so again 3rd time same thing nothing to worry about as long as u get the shots when u are suppose to..