What does anti-D immunoglobulin do?

The anti-D immunoglobulin neutralises any RhD positive antigens that may have entered the mother’s blood during pregnancy. If the antigens have been neutralised, the mother’s blood won’t produce antibodies.

What is anti-D in blood?

Rhesus or anti-D prophylaxis means giving a medicine called anti-D immunoglobulin to prevent a person producing antibodies against RhD-Positive blood cells and so to prevent the development of HDN in an unborn baby.

When do you need anti-D injection?

The injection is offered at to rhesus negative women who have rhesus positive partners at 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. It can also be given at anytime if there is concern a sensitising event has happened. You can also have the injection after the baby has been born and tests confirm your baby is RhD positive.

Why do I need anti-D injection in pregnancy?

It will protect your future pregnancies from complications. All pregnant women with rhesus negative blood (RhD negative) are advised to have anti-D, in case their baby has a positive rhesus status (RhD positive). This will mean there’s a mismatch between your rhesus status and your baby’s rhesus status.

Is anti-D given in first pregnancy?

Reviewer’s conclusions: The risk of RhD alloimmunisation during or immediately after a first pregnancy is about 1.5%. Administration of 100ug (500IU) anti-D at 28 weeks and 34 weeks gestation to women in their first pregnancy can reduce this risk to about 0.2% without, to date, any adverse effects.

How long does anti-D last?

Your midwife will give you an injection of anti-D into a muscle in your thigh or bottom. This will protect you and your baby from harmful antibodies developing, which can happen when your blood mixes with your baby’s blood. The injection works for up to six weeks, and you’ll need another one if the bleeding continues.

Can anti-D harm my baby?

If anti-D antibodies are detected in your blood during pregnancy, there’s a risk that your unborn baby will be affected by rhesus disease. For this reason, you and your baby will be monitored more frequently than usual during your pregnancy.