Do you know there are 35 known human Blood group systems?
Yes! This made me wonder because all I knew was some familiar Blood group types such as A, B, AB & O. If you are still wondering you can check our Wikipedia Master.
Whenever you see a Blood group type you will see a “Positive” or “negative” next to A or B or AB or O. This + or – is known as Rh factor of the Blood.
Rh negative is the one with A-, B-, AB- & O-. Having Rh negative Blood type is rare hence it is important to know about it.
Generally, people search a lot whenever they come to know that they have a rare blood group type. There is no wrong in it as long as you are not worried or stressed out.
There are a lot of studies on RH negative people & blood type. Apart from complications during pregnancy, Rh negative blood type is not harming.
What is Rh factor?
First, let me explain to you about Antigens.
I’m not a doctor or medical student or knows about human science. I’m just passing on what I have read through the internet. So if you know anything more or want to correct the info please go ahead and use the comment section. I will edit the changes accordingly.
Antigens are nothing but cell proteins. These proteins help our immune system to differentiate between “Own” & “foreign body“. For example, any bacteria, viruses, cancer cells etc are treated as a foreign body.
As soon as Body detects the foreign object, the immune system will be activated in order to kill it or remove from the body.
That’s how antigens will help our immune system to fight against unwanted substances in the body.
Rh in the Rh factor is Rhesus. This type of antigen was first found in Rhesus Monkeys. This antigen exists in human blood as well.
If you have Rh antigen you will be “Positive”, if not you will be Rh negative.
That’s it!
Rh negative and Pregnancy
If the mother is Rh-negative & Father is Rh-positive then there are chances that Baby’s blood group type will be either positive or negative.
Rh-negative mother & Rh-negative fetus will not be any problem. Complications arise only when the baby develops a Rh positive blood group type.
Whenever Baby’s blood (Rh positive) enters into the mother’s system, Rh-negative mother’s body generates antibodies. These antibodies attack the baby’s positive blood cells considering them as a foreign body. This leads to breaking down the child blood cells creating problems such as jaundice, brain damage, illness and sometimes death of the child.
That is why Pregnant women need to be extra cautious if they have Rh-negative blood group type.
But no need to worry!
Our medical system has advanced and we are in the 21st century! Doctors know how to treat such cases and you can have babies without any worry.
What is the solution?
Finding Blood group of a pregnant woman is the first step. If it is Rh negative, women will be given an injection of RhoGAM (This stops pregnant women body to produce antibodies) in the first few weeks, after 28 weeks and once after the delivery.
A single dose of RhoGAM contains sufficient anti-D to suppress the immune response up to 15 ml of positive red blood cells.
Pregnant ladies will be kept on a close monitor to find out production of antibodies during pregnancy. In any such case advanced treatment will be provided.
Additional Facts
There are some random facts about Rh negative people. They are easily scared, their body can balance the oxygen level even at higher altitudes, Predominantly blue, green or Hazel eyes & Reddish hair, comparatively better resistance to diseases like HIV, smallpox etc.
Also, they are resistant to mosquito bites 😀 No study or research proves these facts so no need to take them seriously.
If you are an Rh-negative person then don’t worry at all! It is just another blood type with lack of Rh factor. People especially with O- can donate blood since it is a universal donor & one of the rare blood groups to find.
Just be happy 🙂
Disclaimer: This post is not medically verified and is truly based on my knowledge.
Thank you so much for providing much information about The and pregnancy, was very knowledge gaining.
I’m glad! Sharing knowledge on such topics is really required. Thanks Sindhu.
An excellent post. Thoroughly researched and very informative. Easy to follow.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment 🙂
An informative post! Thank you for sharing this article! it’s important for each and everyone to know about this topic! #Superbloggerchallenge
You are welcome 🙂 Even I was not aware. Recently I came to know and thought will pass the info.
Important information
Nice research
Thank you
Thanks Anurag ?
Much need information. My mother in law, had same issue. And many people are not aware of this,
Yeah.. It is very difficult if people are not aware especially women.
Never knew about this topic. Thanks for enlightening me. Very informative and important.
Thanks too 🙂
A very helpful and informative post. I like the fact that you have made it quite clear throughout the post that it isn’t mediciall verified and a person may want to seek the expert advice being honest is the best way ahead.
Even after a lot of research, it is required because nothing is advisable to do without professionals help.
You have included a lot of important information. I loved reading your post n thank u for researching so much and sharing with all of us.
#superbloggerchallenge
Thank you for the sweet comment 🙂
This is so interesting!
Very informative post, Sanjota.
Thanks Neha.
Thank you Neha…
I am very happy to read a post which is very well researched thus helping so many people to broaden the knowldege
I’m glad! Thank you 🙂
Overwhelmed.. Thank you ?
I remember reading about blood groups, Rh factor and Erythroblastosis fetalis during my graduation. Your post reminds me of the same and its indeed a very important factor to keep in mind.
Most of such things are taught in school but often we forget 😀 We remember them only if we or our closed ones face problems. Same happened with me 🙂
The things you learn reading. I haven’t even heard of Rh negative. Very useful information.
Reading this makes me want to know more about my own blood type (O negative). Very interesting to know!
This post give me knowledge about the Rh negative Blood type such a great information nice!
Thank you for this useful post. I think your hard work made lots of people learn about this a lot.
Thank you very much for writing these kind of stuff. I hope many people learnt a lot about something the don’t know,cuz of your hard work on this post.
Oh my, this sounds really scary for pregnant women.
Thanks for the post it is very informative I learned so much about this
Thanks for disseminating this info. I am lucky I am O+. I understand the fears of being ‘negative’. But as you said, the medicine today has a solution for this. Those are interesting facts about O-.
A very interesting topic and an enlightening post ?
Thanks a lot for this complete article! Very informative, I learned a lot!