Thankfully with advancements in technology, Rh incompatibility is usually very preventable and treatable. As with all procedures, there are risks involved. Sometimes doctors will recommend an intrauterine transfusion for baby. The ultimate goal will be to hold off delivery until baby is mature at around 36-37 weeks, but it may be necessary to deliver baby early if baby shows signs of distress. She may also check your amniotic fluid for the breakdown of baby's red blood cells. She may check your blood for antibody levels. (If both baby's mother and father have Rh-negative blood type, baby will be Rh negative, however Rh positive fathers can produce Rh negative or Rh positive babies.) If your baby is Rh positive, your doctor will have to run tests to monitor your baby's status.
If your baby is Rh negative, no treatment will be needed. If you already have antibodies for the Rh factor your doctor will want to monitor you and baby closely.
Treatment for Rh incompatibilities may be necessary. If antibodies are present, the mother has already been exposed to RH positive blood at some point in her life and her body already has antibodies to the Rh factor. Her blood is also checked for the presence of Rh antibodies. Part of the normal blood workup for the pregnant woman is testing for blood type and Rh factor. There is good news! Rh incompatibilities can be prevented and treated. This can lead to complications to the baby including anemia, jaundice, and other blood-related problems. If the mother has antibodies to the Rh antigen, those antibodies can attack the baby's red blood cells. The problem lies when a pregnant woman is carrying a baby that is Rh positive. Antibodies are usually a good thing and serve to protect a person from foreign invaders. Antigens trigger your body to produce antibodies. When Rh-negative blood is exposed to Rh-positive blood, the Rh negative person begins producing antibodies to fight the invading blood. People without the Rh factor antigen are Rh negative. This means they have an antigen on their red blood cells for the Rh factor. Blood is grouped by type into A, B, AB, or O and also by the Rh factor, either negative or positive. Your mom may have told you that you were O+ or B-, etc. You are probably somewhat familiar with blood types.