What Effect Does It Have if the Mother Is Rh Negative and the Baby Is Rh Positive?

A baby with the Rh factor is Rh-positive. This condition is passed down from parent to baby through genes and occurs if the father is positive or both parents are. 

Rh incompatibility happens when the mother is Rh-negative and the infant is positive. It presents some risks in pregnancy and may affect the baby’s health in utero and after birth. Here’s what to know about this genetic disorder and how to prevent problems during pregnancy and after giving birth.

What Are the Symptoms of Rh Incompatibility?

Rh incompatibility typically doesn’t raise any concern during a first pregnancy. However, caution should be exercised, and pregnant women should be tested if they received a blood transfusion with Rh-positive blood or had a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. 

During pregnancy, the baby’s and mother’s blood won’t interact unless there are complications. The baby’s Rh-positive status only becomes an issue during delivery when their blood mixes.  Then, the mother’s body perceives the Rh protein as foreign and might start producing antibodies against the protein.

The symptoms that can appear before delivery include:

• A positive Coombs test, which looks for antibodies
• Abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the blood from the umbilical cord
• Signs of red blood cell destruction 
• Amniotic fluid buildup

Mild symptoms of Rh incompatibility after delivery result in a low red blood cell count. When this happens, the baby might be born with anemia jaundice, which causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow, or hypotonia, which is low muscle tone. Suppose you have experienced Rh incompatibility in pregnancy. You may need to seek treatment for hypotonia if your baby has trouble sitting, bending their knees and elbows, or keeping their head up. 

Higher health risks and complications of Rh incompatibility include: 

• High levels of bilirubin, which means red cells have broken down and may cause brain damage
• Swelling body parts
• Challenges with cognitive function, movements, speech and hearing
• Seizures 

Unfortunately, babies who don’t receive treatment in time may develop physiological issues or be stillborn at birth. It’s important to know if you have the Rh factor by having blood tests so your doctor can help you treat or prevent incompatibility. 

What Are the Treatment Options for Rh Incompatibility? 

Treatment can be administered to both baby and mom in the following ways. 

Treatment Options for the Mother 

During the first pregnancy, doctors will give a Rh-negative mother two Rh immune-globulin shots in succession. Immunoglobulin functions much like a vaccination. It stops your body from producing antibodies that can endanger the baby’s life or affect future pregnancies.

You will receive the first shot sometime around week 28 of pregnancy and the second within 72 hours of delivery. If you experience bleeding while pregnant, have a miscarriage or undergo amniocentesis, you may also be given a dosage of Rh immune globulin (WinRho).

Mothers with Rh-negative blood types should also get immune-globulin injections if they sustain injury to their abdomen or have taken tests to check if the baby has genetic or chromosomal conditions like Down’s syndrome or Patau’s syndrome. 

Doctors who discover a pregnant woman has already formed Rh antibodies will monitor the pregnancy closely to ensure the levels are not excessively high. 

Treatment Options for the Baby

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and whether the baby is still in utero or has been delivered. 

An unborn baby may receive special blood transfusions through the umbilical cord. Babies who have been delivered and have severe incompatibility will also receive a blood transfusion, which substitutes blood with Rh-negative cells. This maintains the level of red blood cells and lessens any harm caused by Rh antibodies that may already be present in the infant’s bloodstream.

Babies with mild Rh incompatibility can be treated with bilirubin lights or receive an IV with immune globulin.

Will the Baby Be Affected in Adulthood?

Little evidence suggests Rh-positive babies will have health conditions in adulthood since 85% of the world population is Rh-positive. However, research on blood types is ongoing.

Some research has shown that these blood types are more prone to inflammation of gums and redness, so you should invest in oral health literacy for your baby. That’s important since 25% of children between ages 2 and 5 experience tooth decay, and proper education can prevent this. 

You should also focus on maintaining dental health to reduce any risks of pregnancy gingivitis and other severe gum diseases. 

Educate Yourself on Rh Incompatibility 

It’s possible to prevent and successfully manage Rh incompatibility. Doctors will monitor you closely during pregnancy and do regular blood tests and screening to see if you have antibodies. Start regular prenatal care if you are pregnant and unsure if you have the Rh factor.

Many options are available to protect your and your baby’s health. Knowledge is power, and you can take steps to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery.