What should you know about rh anti d immunoglobulin should be given at?

RhD is a blood-group marker found on red blood cells. If an RhD-negative pregnant person is carrying an RhD-positive baby, small amounts of fetal blood may enter the pregnant person's circulation during bleeding, injury, procedures or birth. Anti-D immunoglobulin helps prevent the immune system from making antibodies against RhD. It is not a treatment for anaemia or bleeding, and it does not change the baby's blood group.

Tell your maternity team your blood group and report vaginal bleeding, abdominal injury, pregnancy procedures or pregnancy loss promptly. The team may arrange a blood-group check and recommend an Anti-D Injection according to local guidance, the pregnancy stage and the event. Keep a record of when it was offered and tell future maternity teams about it. Do not delay contacting care while trying to decide whether the event was significant.

Contact maternity care urgently after bleeding, a fall or blow to the abdomen, an invasive procedure, or suspected pregnancy loss if you are RhD-negative or do not know your blood group. Seek emergency help for heavy bleeding, severe pain, faintness, shoulder-tip pain or feeling very unwell. Anti-D timing can matter, so report the event as soon as possible even when bleeding is light.

Ask whether you are RhD-negative, whether the baby’s RhD status is known, which events require prophylaxis, when the dose should be given, and what happens if treatment is delayed. Ask about side effects and how the decision changes after miscarriage, birth or a procedure.