From Donor to Recipient: The Non-Market Value of a Trusted Blood Supply
For many people, the "plus" or "minus" after their blood type is just a minor detail, but for pregnant women, the Rh factor is a major concern. The Rh factor is a protein on red blood cells, and you're either Rh-positive (you have it) or Rh-negative (you don't). If an Rh-negative mother is carrying an Rh-positive baby, her immune system may mistake the baby's blood as foreign and create antibodies to fight it. While this usually doesn't affect the first pregnancy, these antibodies can cross the placenta in subsequent pregnancies and attack the baby's red blood cells, causing a serious condition called hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Luckily, this can be prevented with a simple injection called RhoGAM. This shot, containing Rh immune globulin, prevents the mother's body from producing the harmful antibodies. Understanding Rh compatibility is a critical part of prenatal care, ensuring a safe pregnancy for both mother and child, a key part of modern Blood Group Typing.