Pre test Information : No Special Preparation Needed

Rh factor is a protein that is inherited and found on the surface of red blood cells. You are Rh positive if the protein is present in your blood. You are Rh negative if your blood lacks the protein. The "+" or "-" after your blood type indicates whether you are Rh positive or Rh negative.

Rh positive people outnumber Rh negative people by far. Having a Rh negative blood type is not a disease, and it usually has no negative effects on your health. However, it can have an impact on pregnancy. If you are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, your pregnancy requires special attention. This is known as Rh incompatibility. The Rh factor can be inherited from either parent.

During your first prenatal visit, your doctor will recommend that you have a blood type and Rh factor screening test. This test will determine whether you are Rh positive or Rh negative.

Why is it done?

If you are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, complications can arise during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your blood does not usually mix with that of your baby. However, when your baby is born, a small amount of his or her blood may come into contact with your blood. It can also happen if you have bleeding or abdominal trauma while pregnant.

If you are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, your body may produce Rh antibodies if your blood and the baby's blood mix. During the first pregnancy, those antibodies are not a problem. However, if you become pregnant again, complications may arise.

If your next child has Rh antibodies, the antibodies can cross the placenta and harm the baby's red blood cells. This could result in life-threatening anaemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced by the baby's body. Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body.

If you are Rh negative, you may need another blood test called an antibody screen several times: during your first trimester, week 28 of pregnancy, and when your baby is born. Some people require the test more frequently.

This test detects antibodies to Rh positive blood. If you have not yet begun to produce Rh antibodies, you will most likely require a shot (injection) of a blood product known as Rh immune globulin. During your pregnancy, this prevents your body from producing Rh antibodies.

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