Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Can Rh- Blood Cause Early Miscarriages?

by Megan
(Kentucky)

I have been trying to conceive for about a year and a half... there are months that I'm 5 and 6 days late. I have all the symptoms of being pregnant but then my period comes and it's so painful, I feel like I'm having a miscarrige.. the pain I have during these times is nothing like a regular period. A friend of mine has had to get the shot everytime before she can get pregnant. Is this something I need to look into? Please help I desperately want to have a child, even if only one.

Answer:

It is possible for Rh- blood to cause the miscarriage of an Rh+ embryo/fetus, but this happens when a mother is sensitized to Rh+ blood.

A previous miscarriage can cause this sensitization, though it will not always cause it. The best course of action if you're worried that you're sensitized is to ask your doctor to test for Rh sensitization (this test is called an Indirect-Coombs).

Getting a Rhogam shot does not stop the body from rejecting an Rh+ baby. Rhogam is designed to stop the body from becoming sensitized. This is most likely to occur after the birth or miscarriage of an Rh+ baby.

If you're not sensitized, getting Rhogam during pregnancy and after your child's birth is an option to prevent sensitization that could harm future babies - but it will not stop the body from "attacking" an Rh+ baby if you're already sensitized. If you are sensitized a perinatologist is the best option for you to create a plan of action for a healthy pregnancy.

Natural Birth and Baby Care's sister site Getting-Pregnant.com is a wealth of information if you're TTC - it may help you figure out what could be causing early losses.