What If Both Parents Are Rh Negative- Unraveling the Impact on Their Child’s Health

What happens if both parents are Rh-negative?

When both parents are Rh-negative, it means that neither of them carries the Rh-positive factor in their blood. The Rh factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells, and it can determine a person’s blood type. If both parents are Rh-negative, their child will also be Rh-negative. However, there is a possibility of Rh incompatibility if the mother is Rh-negative and the father is Rh-positive.

Rh incompatibility occurs when an Rh-negative mother carries a fetus with Rh-positive blood. This can happen if the father is Rh-positive or if the mother has been exposed to Rh-positive blood in the past, such as through a blood transfusion or during a previous pregnancy. When an Rh-negative mother is exposed to Rh-positive blood, her immune system may produce antibodies against the Rh-positive blood cells.

In the first pregnancy, the Rh-negative mother’s immune system usually does not produce enough antibodies to cause harm to the fetus. However, if the mother becomes pregnant with another Rh-positive fetus, her immune system may recognize the Rh-positive blood cells as foreign and attack them. This can lead to a condition called hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), which can cause severe anemia, jaundice, and other complications in the baby.

To prevent HDFN, healthcare providers may recommend Rh immunoprophylaxis, also known as the Rh shot or Rh immune globulin (Rhogam). This medication is given to Rh-negative mothers during pregnancy and after childbirth to prevent the development of antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells. By administering the Rh shot, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of HDFN and ensure the health of both the mother and the baby.