The Rhesus Negative Mother!

Her first baby was born perfectly healthy-but her next pregnancy almost cost them both their lives. Why? She did not know she was Rhesus negative.

A young mother walked into the clinic excited to have her second baby. Her first birth was smooth, no complications, and so she anticipated same until she was told her baby could die before birth.

Why? she asked with a mix of fear and confusion, and for the first time she heard “Because you are Rhesus negative and you did not take anti-D injection after your first delivery”.

When a Rhesus negative mother carries a Rhesus positive baby, her body may treat the baby like a foreign invader- attacking the baby's red blood cells.

This can lead to:

- Brain damage

- Intrauterine fetal death

However, the healthcare solution is simple and can save a live or two.

A routine blood test in pregnancy.

A single injection (Anti-D immunoglobulin) at the right time.

It’s not enough to just know your blood group.

You must know your Rhesus factor.

You should make it a point of duty to ask.

Many mothers have no idea until it’s too late. What you should do?

🩺 Ask at your next antenatal visit: What’s my Rhesus status? Because knowing could save your baby’s life.