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Respected Sir, I would like to ask you a doubt on the topic blood group. When the first child is born to a women of negative blood group and a man of positive blood group does not have any problem. But during parturition it may lead to death of foetus. Why is this? How this can be avoided?
When an Rh-negative mother is exposed to her Rh-positive baby's blood, the mother's body is at risk for becoming "sensitized".  This causes the mother's immune system to shift into gear and begin producing antibodies that are specifically designed to find and destroy these foreign blood cells.

During the first pregnancy, these antibodies are typically not dangerous, because chances are that she will not be exposed to her child's blood until delivery.  Therefore, the first child would typically be unaffected.  However, once an Rh-negative mother has been exposed or sensitized to her child's Rh-positive blood, the process of building a multiplying army of antibodies has began.  These antibodies will sit in wait for the next pregnancy and once the Rh-positive cells are recognized, the antibodies are programmed to attack.   Without medical intervention, all of your subsequent pregnancies are at risk of being self terminated by these antibodies.In 1968, a process of medical intervention was invented and a product called RhoGAM or (Brand Rho(D) Immune Globulin (Human), became FDA approved and available for use.  When an Rh-negative mother is given an "injection" of RhoGAM, it protects her immune system from being exposed to the Rh-positive blood.  RhoGAM is usually administered twice during your pregnancy.


    A blood test can provide you with your blood type and Rh factor.
    Antibody screen is another blood test that can show if an Rh-negative woman has developed antibodies to Rh-positive blood.
    An injection or Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg), a blood product that can prevent sensitization of an Rh-negative mother.

RhIg is used during pregnancy and after delivery:

    If a woman with Rh-negative blood has not been sensitized, her doctor may suggest that she receive RhIg around the 28th week of pregnancy to prevent sensitization for the rest of pregnancy.
    If the baby is born with Rh-positive blood, the mother should be given another dose of RhIg to prevent her from making antibodies to the Rh-positive cells she may have received from their baby before and during delivery.
    The treatment of RhIg is only good for the pregnancy in which it is given. Each pregnancy and delivery of an Rh-positive child requires repeat doses of RhIg.
    Rh-negative women should also receive treatment after any miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or induced abortion to prevent any chance of the woman developing antibodies that would attack a future Rh-positive baby.


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