CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Rh Antibody Screening?

What is an Rh antibody screening?
save article
profile picture of Michele Hakakha, MD
Updated February 28, 2017
Hero Image

Each of us falls into one of four blood types: A, B, AB, or O. All of these blood types can either have a certain protein (called an antigen) on the surface of the red blood cells or not. If you do have this protein on your blood cells, you’re considered Rh-positive. If you do not have these proteins, you’re considered Rh-negative.

Why is this important?  Because if you’re Rh-negative, and your partner is Rh-positive, there’s a good chance your baby will now be Rh-positive, too. And that can become a problem, because your blood may start to make certain antibodies that attack those fetal blood cells. In other words, your body responds almost as if you were allergic to your baby’s blood.

Since there’s always an intermingling of your blood and baby’s, these antibodies can cross the placenta and attack baby’s blood, breaking down the red blood cells and causing anemia, or low blood cell count, which in turn can lead to some serious complications. The good news is, there are relatively easy ways to prevent this breakdown from every occurring.

Prevention starts by getting your blood (and your partner’s blood) tested with Rh antibody screening. Most of us (about 85%) are Rh positive to begin with. If you’re negative and your partner is positive, you may be given an injection of an Rh immunoglobulin, which can prevent your body from putting out the harmful antibodies. Keep in mind that this needs to be given with each pregnancy, and Rh-negative women should also receive treatment after a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or induced abortion to prevent the antibodies from developing for future pregnancies.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton on BuzzFeed's "AM To DM" on October 15, 2019 in New York City
Julie Andrews and Her Daughter Pen New Children's Book
By Wyndi Kappes
kourtney kardashian at her disney themed baby shower
The Cutest Details From Kourtney Kardashian's Disneyland Baby Shower
By Wyndi Kappes
mike the situation and wife lauren sorrentino with their babies at home
Mike 'the Situation' and His Wife Lauren Are Expecting Baby No. 3
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Mykayla Skinner with Silver Medal
Olympic Gymnast MyKayla Skinner Welcomes Her First Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
mother putting baby into bare crib for safe sleep
New Report Reveals Nursery Items as Significant Threat to Safe Sleep
By Wyndi Kappes
US actor Josh Duhamel (L) and his wife US model Audra Mari pose during a photocall for the Golden Nymph Awards ceremony of the 62nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival in the principalty of Monaco on June 20, 2023
Josh Duhamel’s Son Axl Has Adorable Reaction to New Big Brother Role
By Wyndi Kappes
jordan and annie spieth with their son
Pro Golfer Jordan Spieth and Annie Spieth Welcome Baby No. 2
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
wrapped kraft singles american cheese recall
Why Over 83,000 Cases of Kraft Singles Have Been Recalled
By Wyndi Kappes
ms rachel stands up to body shamer
Ms. Rachel Stands Up to Body Shamers in New Video
By Wyndi Kappes
bodily pregnancy kits
Bodily Launches Pregnancy Kits Packed With Advice and Essentials
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Chanel Iman and Davon Godchaux pregnancy photoshoot
Chanel Iman and Patriots' Davon Godchaux’s Baby Girl Has Arrived
By Wyndi Kappes
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger welcome third baby 2023
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger Welcome Third Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky arrive for the world premiere of Marvel Studios' "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on October 26, 2022
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Share First Photo as Family of Four
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Khloé Kardashian, Penelope Disick, Kim Kardashian, North West and Kris Jenner attend the "RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR" at SoFi Stadium on September 04, 2023 in Inglewood, California.
These Are 2023’s Most Influential Celebrity Parents
By Wyndi Kappes
happy family walking in city
These Top 15 Family-Friendly Cities Offer Amazing Outdoor Spaces
By Wyndi Kappes
chuckle and roar water bead activity kits recall 2023
Popular Water Bead Activity Kit Sold at Target Has Been Recalled
By Wyndi Kappes
elyse and jonas myers welcome their second baby
Comedian Elyse Myers and Jonas Myers Welcome Baby No. 2
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mother and baby crawling on floor at home
It’s Baby Safety Month: Here Are All the Sales You Don’t Wanna Miss
By Wyndi Kappes
dad strapping baby into rocker
CPSC Members Propose New Safety Rules for Baby Rockers After Deaths
By Wyndi Kappes
Taylor Neisen and Liev Schreiber attend Rufus Wainwright 50th Birthday Celebration at The Montauk Point Lighthouse on July 13, 2023 in Montauk, New York.
Liev Schreiber and Taylor Neisen Welcome Baby Girl
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List