Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy - What Increases Your Risk

Rh sensitization can occur when a person with Rh-negative blood is exposed to Rh-positive blood. During pregnancy, an Rh-negative woman can become sensitized if she is carrying an Rh-positive fetus.

Factors that increase the risk of blood mixing and sensitization during pregnancy include:²

Delivery.
Abdominal trauma, such as from a car accident.
Abdominal surgery, such as a cesarean section.
Placenta abruptio or placenta previa, both of which can cause placental bleeding.
External cephalic version for a breech fetus.
Obstetric procedures such as amniocentesis, fetal blood sampling, or chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
Miscarriage (spontaneous abortion), ectopic pregnancy, or elective abortion (medical or surgical abortion) after 8 weeks of fetal age (when fetal blood cell production begins).
Partial molar pregnancy involving fetal growth beyond 8 weeks.

Although rare, Rh sensitization has been known to occur after needle sharing between intravenous drug users. Transfusing Rh-positive blood in an Rh-negative person can also trigger sensitization. But this is extremely rare because blood is always tested prior to transfusion.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: October 22, 2009

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy Topics

One Pill a Day: Up to 24 Hours of Heartburn Relief in Many Adults with ARD

Important Safety Information

KAPIDEX may not be right for everyone. You should not take KAPIDEX if you are allergic to KAPIDEX or any of its ingredients. Severe allergic reactions have been reported.
Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions.
The most common side effects of KAPIDEX were diarrhea (4.8%), stomach pain (4.0%), nausea (2.9%), common cold (1.9%), vomiting (1.6%), and gas (1.6%). KAPIDEX and certain other medicines can affect each other. Before taking KAPIDEX, tell your doctor if you are taking ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, ketoconazole, or tacrolimus. If you are taking KAPIDEX with warfarin, you may need to be monitored because serious risks could occur.

Uses of KAPIDEX

Persistent heartburn two or more days a week, despite treatment and diet changes, could be acid reflux disease (ARD). Prescription KAPIDEX capsules are used in adults to treat heartburn related to ARD, to heal acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus (called erosive esophagitis or EE), and to stop EE from coming back. Individual results may vary. Most damage (erosions) heals in 4–8 weeks.

Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. Please see full Prescribing Information for KAPIDEX.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.