| Rhesus factor | | | | child or adult thought to have rubella (sometimes called |
| Some women are described as having Rhesus | | | | German measles). |
| negative blood. This can be a problem if the baby has | | | | It will be suggested that you are vaccinated against |
| Rhesus positive blood. During delivery, blood cells from | | | | rubella once your baby has been born (you then need |
| the baby can pass into the mother's bloodstream and | | | | to avoid getting pregnant for the next three months). |
| the mother reacts to the foreign blood cells by | | | | If your blood sample shows that you have been |
| manufacturing antibodies to destroy them. If the | | | | recently infected with rubella, you will be offered a |
| mother becomes pregnant again with a Rhesus | | | | termination of your pregnancy (abortion). This is |
| positive baby, these antibodies will pass to the baby | | | | because there is a very high risk of the baby being |
| and start to destroy his red blood cells. | | | | born with serious problems. |
| So after giving birth, every Rhesus negative mother is | | | | Anemia |
| given an injection of anti-D. This masks any of the | | | | If your blood tests shows that you have low levels of |
| baby's red blood cells which have got into her | | | | haemoglobin, you may: |
| bloodstream, so that the mother does not manufacture | | | | 1. Be advised to eat more foods such as bread, |
| antibodies against them. | | | | cereals and potatoes which are rich in iron; more fruit |
| Women who are Rhesus negative have their blood | | | | and vegetables which contain vitamin C and therefore |
| tested repeatedly during pregnancy to make sure that | | | | help your body to absorb iron. |
| they are not forming anti¬bodies. If antibodies are | | | | 2. Be prescribed iron tablets (which, for maximum |
| found, the baby can be treated with blood transfusions | | | | effect, should be taken with the first and last meal of |
| while still in the uterus. | | | | the day). |
| Nowadays, Rhesus negative women don't have | | | | All pregnant women appear to be slightly anemic |
| problems if they have proper antenatal care during | | | | because their blood is thinner than that of non-pregnant |
| each of their pregnancies. | | | | women (the same amount of red blood cells but much |
| Rubella testing | | | | more diluted). Nowadays, there is a strong feeling that |
| If your blood sample shows that you have no immunity | | | | mild anemia during pregnancy should not be treated as |
| to rubella: | | | | thinner blood probably improves the circulation through |
| 1. You will be advised to keep well away from any | | | | the placenta. |