Rhesus negative: Is there anyone that is able to clearly explain to me about what sort of 'bumps' I need to worry about?

[Nononon]

I have a toddler who is about 29lbs and he inevitably pokes, prods and kicks me from time to time which doesn't hurt me. This evening he was sitting on my lap and shuffled back quickly into my bump which took me by surprise (mainly because I'm very protective of my bump and was keeping him a bit forward of it) but again didn't hurt.

I worry about whether I should worry about little bumps like this or if it's a trauma that has caused pain only. What exactly should I worry about in terms of going to get anti-D? I want more children so I don't want to prevent that from happening.

Also any one know how many babies are actually affected by this each year?

[atos35]

Well I am rhesus negative and I am currently expecting dc number 3. As far as I am aware you only need to get extra anti d if you have bleeding (had light bleeding all through my last pregnancy so had loads of the stuff). There is only a risk to you and baby if your blood mixes, so a few bumps aren't going to cause you any problems. You will have anti d routinely anyway later on in pregnancy. As far as I know problems caused by rhesus negative blood groups in this country are very rare nowadays as all precautionary measures are taken routinely during your antenatal care and after delivery. It's worth saying that it's only bleeding that occurs after 12 weeks that is considered a risk.

[Nononon]

Thanks atos35. Were your other DC positive? Do they crawl on you and lean into you etc?

[atos35]

Number 1 is negative, number 2 is positive and yes he is 3 and always jumping on me, kneeling me etc!

[atos35]

Kneeing me that is meant to say!

[Emus]

I'm RH neg and had to have an extra shot when I fell over at 32 weeks and landed on my bump. There was no blood but I was given a shot. Not sure about toddlers and pregnancy though - only have one at the moment! If you are concerned I would ask your midwife who should be able to clarify it for you.

[BravePotato]

I am B-, baby1 was A+, and I was given anti-D straight after birth. Baby 2 was A+ too. No probs.

Has your doctor not explained things properly to you? That is a bit rubbish! It is very very rare and unlikely that that zny of your baby's blood could get into your bloodstream. The baby in Utero is in a big protective sac of fluid, and for his blood to mix with yours there would havd to be super serious trauma like a big bad car crash.

Bumps and prods from a toddler are not that!

You should have really been told by your doc there is no risk, no worry. Bit crap of him/her.

[olaflikeswarmhugs]

I am O- . I was punched in the stomach at work when I was 32wks with ds and although I didn't bleed they still gave me anti-d . Had to get it after birth as well as ds was Rh+ .

Tbh I don't think little bumps and knocks are worrying (unless you have a bleed) but if you have a toddler I think you should ask your MW to have a chat with you about when you should phone etc

[Borttagen]

While I don't think you need to worry about little bumps that don't hurt you it's not true that it would have to be a car crash type accident. My sister bumped herself very hard off the bed frame carrying her toddler in her last pregnancy, felt it was painful but didn't go to docs until next day when she was feeling unwell. They took bloods that later showed there had been blood mixed internally and she was producing antigens but she had the anti d.
I'm worrying about it too as have two toddlers who seem determined to whack my bump but am thinking not painful is probably ok but I'm just guessing!

[Borttagen]

Oh and you can bleed internally without any external evidence of it!

[Nononon]

Thanks for the replies. I often speak to midwives about this and they say "carry on as normal with your toddler - it would have to be a painful impact to warrant anti-d" and a lot have said they have never experienced any problems with it in all their careers (these were older ones that said that).

But I also had a midwife last time that said "it could be the smallest bump you just don't know" and that has got ingrained in my head!

I have found that if I phone up the hospital for reassurance they cover their backs by telling me to go in for anti-d. So in last pregnancy I had it for some tiny things that I would not even think about this time. But that exacerbated my worry.

Hence I'm asking on here (and have done a few times when I'm having a panic) because I can't go and get anti-d at every small bump.

So to summarise what everyone's telling me - general rough and tumble that doesn't hurt fine. If I get a sharp painful blow, anti-d needed?

[Nononon]

Oh and Olaf - you were punched in the stomach?? Where do you work? That must have been scary!

[BravePotato]

I guess they don'tgive anti-D as standard then to - mum with + babies? ( I had mine abroad)

Why on earth not? Cost cutting?

In many other countries it is standard.

[Nononon]

Yes they do give it as standard bravepotato. At 28 weeks I think it is and then after you give birth if your child is positive.

I'm only 20 weeks though

[olaflikeswarmhugs]

I work in adult LD/MH my place of work specialises in people with challenging behaviour so I come across violence pretty much on a weekly basis . It was when I look back now I know it could have been a lot worse it physically wasn't the worst . It was more the emotional upset of it all it's a horrible thought that someone punched purposely punched your pregnant belly .

[Nononon]

Yes that must have been really upsetting for you Olaf. And scary for you to return to work after the incident!