Please verify your email address to receive email notifications.

Enter your email address

We have sent you a verification email. Please check your inbox and spam folder.

Unable to send verification, please refresh and try again later.

  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Could having a anti d shot hurt my baby?

    Related Topic
    Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
    I am 0 negative and found out i am pregnant 3rd child. Previously I had anti d shot now my doctor is telling me I don't need it, scared because both last bubs were jaundice don't want to lose a baby!
    answer this question

  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • 1

    Agree

    1

    Thanks

    Dr David Moore

    Gynaecologist, Gynaecologist - Infertility (IVF) Specialist, Obstetrician

    David received a solid foundation to training in tertiary obstetric units and has developed skills in the management of complex and high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. … View Profile

    Hi there,

    Anti-D injections cannot and will not hurt your baby.  

    All pregnant women who are rhesus negative should have anti-D injections during pregnancy, unless:

    1. The baby's father (known with absolute certainty) is also rhesus negative
    2. Your baby is known to be rhesus negative, from an amniocentesis, cordocentesis, or using free fetal DNA sequencing on a blood test from you, (but these are pretty high-end and you would be under the care of a specialist if these have been done).
    3. If you have already become “iso-immunised” - that is, your immune system has already reacted to the rhesus antigen, and so anti-D will no longer help you.
    From what you've said, I think you need a specialist opinion regarding your need for anti-D.  A full obstetric history needs to be taken, including the reasons for your previoud babies' jaundice.  You said you are O-neg, and often babies of women who have an O-type blood may develop a type of jaundice when the baby has blood group A, B, or AB.  This is called ABO incompatability, and may cause significant jaundice after birth (possibly requiring treatment, usually phototherapy) but is not a cause of major problems to a fetus.

    Importantly, one cannot assume that your current baby is rhesus negative, even if your previous two children were rhesus negative.

    If, however, your previous babies' jaundice was due to isoimmunisation, then your current pregnany is potentially very high risk and would warrant early referral to an obstetrician.

    I suggest you ask your doctor to clarify why they feel you don't need anti-D, and consider asking for a referral for a specialist opinion.

    Regards,
    David Moore

    Reply to this post
     · 
    Report
    Reply to this post

    You must be a Health Professional to reply to this post. to your account or now (it's free).

answer this question

You must be a Health Professional to answer this question. Log in or Sign up .

You may also like these related questions

Related Fact Sheets
Related Questions

Empowering Australians to make better health choices