If one person with blood type O+ married with one person carrying the Rhesus–ve (Rh-) blood, Dangerous or not?

85% of most people are Rh+ve, that means each person have antigen on their red blood cells (RBCs) for the Rh factor. People without Rh factor antigen are Rh-ve.

Rh factor may play a pivotal role in baby health. Each people having different blood types which contain specific proteins to that blood type on the surface of RBCs.

Rh incompatibility usually isn't a problem if it's the mother first pregnancy because, unless there's some sort of abnormality, the fetus blood does not normally enter the mother circulatory system during the course of the pregnancy.

However, during delivery, the mother and baby blood can intermingle. If this happens, the mother body recognizes the Rh protein as a foreign substance and can begin producing antibodies (protein molecules in the immune system that recognize, and later work to destroy, foreign substances) against the Rh proteins introduced into her blood.

Other ways Rh-ve pregnant women can be exposed to the Rh protein that might cause antibody production include blood transfusions with Rh+ve blood, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy.

Each of four blood types is additionally classified according to the presence of another protein on the surface of RBCs that indicates Rh factor.

If one person carrying either blood type A or B or AB or O protein, this person Rh+ve. While If another person not carry abovementioned protein, this person Rh-ve.

Let say, If one pregnant woman is carrying the baby that is Rh+ve, and the mother has antibody to the Rh-ve antigen, those antibody can attack the baby RBCs and cause swelling and rupture of RBCs. This phenomena can lead to complications to the baby including anaemia, jaundice, brain damage, heart failure, and other blood related problems. Its also can lead to fatal because too many RBCs have been destroyed.

If pregnant woman already have antibody for the Rh factor. Dr. Will monitor pregnant woman and baby closely. If a baby is Rh-ve, no treatment is needed.

If both baby mother and father have Rh-ve blood type, baby will be Rh-ve. However, Rh+ve fathers can produce either Rh-ve or Rh+ve factor.

First and most important tests – The blood type test, it’s to determines the blood type and Rh factor.

If baby is Rh-ve, Dr. Will run tests to monitor baby status:

-       Take mother blood for antibody level

-       Check amniotic fluid for breakdown of baby RBCs

-       And the ultimate goal will be to hold of delivery untill the baby is mature at around 36 – 37 weeks, but it may be necessary to deliver baby early, if baby shows signs of distress.

Let say, another phenomena. If a one woman who is Rh-ve and a man who is Rh+ve conceive a baby, there is considerable potential for hemolytic disorders or the Rh disease of newborn to arise as the baby developing inside the Rh-ve mother body may have Rh+ blood, inherited from the father. This is called Rh incompatibility.

How to prevent and Treat the Rh Disease of Newborn.

If woman have the potential to develop Rh incompatibility is pregnant, Dr. Will administer with 2 shots Rh immune-globlin (RhoGAM) during her 1st pregnancy. RhoGAM acts like a vaccine, preventing the mother body from producing any potentially dangerous Rh antibodies than can lead to serious complications in the baby or future pregnancies.

-       The 1st shot is given around the 28th weeks of pregnancy

-       And 2nd within 72 hrs after deliver of the baby.

If you're not sure what your Rh factor is and think you're pregnant, it's important to start regular prenatal care as soon as possible, including blood type testing. With early detection and treatment of Rh incompatibility.