There is no specific blood type that "rejects" pregnancy. However, a condition known as Rh incompatibility can occur when a pregnant woman has Rh-negative blood and the baby in her womb has Rh-positive blood. In this situation, the mother's immune system may treat the baby's blood cells as foreign and produce antibodies that can destroy the baby's red blood cells.
Rh incompatibility usually does not cause problems during the first pregnancy. However, if the mother has been previously exposed to Rh-positive blood, either through a previous pregnancy or a blood transfusion, her body may already have antibodies that can attack the baby's red blood cells. This can lead to hemolytic disease of the fetus, a serious condition that can cause anemia, jaundice, and even death.
Here are some key points to remember:
- Rh incompatibility is not a blood type rejection. It is a condition that can arise due to a difference in the Rh factor between the mother and the baby.
- The mother's body produces antibodies against the baby's blood cells. These antibodies can cross the placenta and attack the baby's red blood cells.
- Rh incompatibility can be prevented. A simple injection of Rh immunoglobulin can prevent the mother from developing antibodies against the baby's blood cells.
