Many people have insufficient understanding of the Rh-conflict and its consequences, because in everyday life, its presence or absence does not entail any painful consequences. However, in case of pregnancy, Rh-conflict can seriously harm the fetus and cause miscarriage.
A person with a blood group with a “-” (negative) sign does not have a Rh factor marker on erythrocytes. However, this has absolutely no effect on the quality of blood and health in general. The marker is present only in Rh positive blood. And when the blood mixes with Rh-positive blood, the immune system produces antibodies to destroy it, and this is how the Rh-conflict arises. Thus, if a woman finds out that she is pregnant, then she has a negative Rh factor, that is, a high risk of a conflict between her blood and the blood of the fetus.
Below are the cases when you should not fear the Rh-conflict:
- with the same Rh factor of spouses;
- if the mother has blood with a “+” sign, and the father has blood with a “-“.
What is the danger of Rh-conflict during pregnancy?
The main task of erythrocytes is considered to be the transfer of oxygen to the organs and tissues of the body. When an Rh-conflict occurs, the organs of the fetus may undergo oxygen starvation.
It is very difficult to find out about the presence of Rh-conflict by the well-being of a pregnant woman and in most cases it will not be possible: the pregnant woman either does not complain about her well-being at all, or the symptoms of malaise are very similar to the usual toxicosis, which is observed in almost all pregnant women.
Rhesus conflict is easy to determine with ultrasound of the fetus. In this case, he may have an enlarged heart, liver, spleen. However, you can avoid the negative consequences of the Rh-conflict and prevent it in time. For this, the expectant mother is injected with special drugs that destroy antibodies against the fetus.
However, if there is an Rh-conflict, then the couple should know that modern medicine does not stand still. Today, there are effective methods thanks to which you can safely carry and give birth to a healthy child, even with the risk of Rh-conflict. It is very important during pregnancy to be observed by experienced doctors and follow all their recommendations.
Prevention of Rh-conflict
Blood group and Rh factor are important indicators during pregnancy planning and bearing a child.
To control the situation, the expectant mother needs to donate blood for blood group determination as soon as she finds out that they are expecting a child. If the blood type of the expectant mother is negative, then the dad will also be examined.
For many spouses with different Rh factors, the risk of Rh-conflict becomes a real test. These couples often have anxiety. But there are times when such couples have Rh-positive children, while absolutely healthy.
Recently, one of the most common reasons for the threat of miscarriage is the Rh-conflict. To prevent it, each person must know their blood type even before planning a child. Women with a blood group with a “-” sign need to take their condition very seriously and responsibly and do not miss planned visits to the gynecologist, regularly undergo all the necessary examinations.