Anti-D injection during pregnancy

Antenatal blood tests identify your RhD group and check for red-cell antibodies. Your maternity team then explains the routine schedule used locally and whether any pregnancy event calls for an additional injection.

An RhD-positive fetus can have red blood cells that differ from those of an RhD-negative mother. If fetal cells enter her bloodstream, her immune system may make anti-D antibodies. In a later RhD-positive pregnancy, those antibodies can cross the placenta and harm fetal red blood cells.

Anti-D immunoglobulin removes the fetal RhD-positive cells before a lasting immune response develops. It is preventive, does not change blood type, and is not useful for removing immune anti-D antibodies that have already formed.

Attend scheduled blood tests and anti-D appointments, and ensure each injection is entered in your maternity notes. Mention any previous transfusion, pregnancy, blood-group antibody, or reaction to immunoglobulin products before treatment.

Notify the maternity service after vaginal bleeding, abdominal injury, pregnancy loss, or an invasive pregnancy procedure, even if routine anti-D was already given. The team will assess the event, pregnancy stage, prior doses, and whether blood testing or another dose is appropriate.

Seek urgent maternity assessment for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, regular painful tightening, leaking fluid, fainting, major abdominal trauma, or reduced fetal movement after movements have become established. Call emergency services for breathing difficulty, throat or facial swelling, widespread hives, or collapse after anti-D.

Ask whether you are RhD-negative, whether the antibody screen found immune anti-D, when routine prophylaxis is scheduled, which events must be reported, and whether the baby's RhD status can guide care. Clarify whom to contact outside clinic hours if bleeding or trauma occurs.