Obstetrics - RhD Negative Women in Pregnancy (Anti-D Prophylaxis)

Why am I being advised to have this injection?

You have been informed that your blood group is RhD negative and that it is recommended for you to have an injection called anti-D immunoglobulin. This is because your unborn baby may have a blood group which is RhD positive. If this is the case, and some of your baby’s blood crosses over into your own blood stream, then your RhD negative blood would recognise the baby’s RhD positive blood as “foreign” and begin to make antibodies to destroy the RhD positive blood cells.

It is unlikely to harm your baby whilst you’re carrying it, but if you have another pregnancy and that unborn baby is also RhD positive then the antibodies which you make may cross into the baby’s blood and attack the red blood cells, which may have serious consequences for that baby.

The anti-D injection which is recommended is given to prevent you producing antibodies against RhD positive blood cells, and so to prevent problems in a future pregnancy. Although we strongly recommend this injection, you can choose whether or not to have it, and you will be fully supported in your decision.

What is anti-D immunoglobulin?

Anti-D immunoglobulin is a blood product, made from plasma. The donors who give their plasma are all screened thoroughly for any known viruses. The manufacturing process is also designed to remove and destroy any virus. This ensures that the risk of acquiring a known virus from an anti-D injection is extremely low.

Will I need anymore anti D during my pregnancy?

We also recommend that you have a further injection of anti-D if you have any vaginal bleeding or abdominal injury e.g. after a fall or traffic accident. If this should happen to you please contact your local labour ward for advice. You will also need an injection of anti-D after the birth, if your baby’s blood group is found to be RhD positive.

What will happen on the day?

If you have not had cause to have your blood group checked within the previous 72 hours prior to your Anti-D injection, then You will be asked to provide a sample of blood which will be sent to the laboratory. This will not delay your injection of Anti-D.

Does anti-D have any side effects?

Side effects are very rare. However,

• After the injection you may experience some local pain and tenderness at the injection site
• Occasionally some people develop other side effects such as fever, malaise, headache, skin reactions or chills
• Very rarely some people develop nausea, vomiting, hypotension (low blood pressure), tightness of the chest or wheezing, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), or allergic or anaphylactic type reactions

You will be asked to wait in clinic for twenty minutes after your injection to check for any side effects. However, if you do experience any side effects when you go home, you should contact your community midwife, your GP or your local antenatal clinic.

Contact Numbers

The Royal Oldham Hospital - Telephone: 0161 627 8140
Rochdale Infirmary - Telephone: 01706 517050

If you are unsure about your decision at present or if you do not understand any of the information in this leaflet then please speak to the midwife at your Anti-D clinic appointment before you have the injection.