I'm 21 weeks pregnant with my first child. Should I have had an Rh factor test by now???

Answer 1

When they did all your blood test in the beginning of your pregnancy it would have been in those test. With your first child the Rh factor isn't a big deal.

Answer 2

You should, but the Rh factor almost never affects the first born child. Do you know your blood type? If YOUR blood type is Rh positive then you won't have to have the shot to prevent birth defects. Also, if you and the father have the same Rh (both negative or both positive) you should be fine. The Rh factor causes birth defects when the mom has a negative Rh and the dad has a positive Rh. They usually give you the shot after your first child just in case if you have a negative Rh.

Answer 3

Today, when a woman with the potential to develop Rh incompatibility is pregnant, doctors administer a series of two Rh immune-globulin shots during her first pregnancy. The first shot is given around the 28th week of pregnancy and the second within 72 hours after giving birth. Rh immune-globulin acts like a vaccine, preventing the mother's body from producing any potentially dangerous Rh antibodies that can cause serious complications in the newborn or complicate any future pregnancies.

Answer 4

No. It doesn't matter with your first child. Unless you've had a miscarriage or abortion where baby's blood may have gotten back in your system some way, the RH factor is not a factor with first pregnancy. I have the RH factor and didn't even know it until my second pregnancy when they began taking blood every time I went to the doc.

Answer 5

Yes you should of had it done in the first set of blood work you had taken. I have Rhesus negative and I have to get a shot at 26-28 weeks, and again at 35 weeks, so if you are concerned and don't have a appointment with your Doc before then I would just double check, alought they would normally have told you by now if you were and it would be written on you antenatal card .
Good Luck :)
It does matter with your first child, only there is alot less risk, i still had to have my shot with my first , as when you become pregnant again, your body can fight the child as it see's it as a invaider so to speak ( this is if your baby has positive blood, they will test this within 72 hours on the baby) i still get shots through my pregnancy as a precaution.
You have 72 hours to have the shot after labour, miscarriage or abortion. It does not cause Birth Defects it can destroy thr baby's red cells which can lead to Jaundice and Anaemic. you cause more harm to yourself if you were to fall pregnant again

Answer 6

They should have did a blood test to see what blood type you are. If you are positive then you don't have anything to worry about if you are negative (like me) then they will either test the father for his blood type or test the baby (I'm not sure how they do that exactly.) If the dad or baby is negative then they don't do anything because your compatible. If they are positive the you get a shot at 28 weeks and one after the baby is born.

Answer 7

Yeah I thought it was between 16-20 weeks

Answer 8

If you have already been in to do early blood work where they took 4-5 viles of blood chances are they did it then. It's usually part of your early pregnancy screening. If you are worried that it hasn't been done don't hesitate to call your doctor and ask.

Answer 9

only if your Rh is neg you need one if your pos your baby and you will be fine

Answer 10

well depends on your blood type
if you are of the + you dont need one
if you are - then go.
but since its your first child you shudnt be too worried
on the second child deffinetly be worried.