These antibodies will destroy any red blood cells from the baby that have entered your blood. You will not have a chance to form your own antibodies to the Rh D factor. If you receive the injection at 28 weeks and after delivery, sensitization will be prevented and Rh incompatibility should not be a problem during your next pregnancy. Sensitization usually doesn t happen until after the birth of an Rh-positive baby. Therefore, in most cases Rh incompatibility is not a problem during a woman s first pregnancy and delivery of an Rh-positive baby.
Sensitization is permanent and the effects are usually worse with each subsequent pregnancy.
Rh-immune globulin can prevent sensitization. It is given to an Rh-negative woman shortly after every delivery, miscarriage, or abortion. It is also given to a pregnant Rh-negative woman after amniocentesis, any bleeding episodes, and during the seventh month of pregnancy. Adapted from material developed by Phyllis G. Cooper, R.N., M.N., and Clinical Reference Systems, Ltd.