 |
 |
|
|
|
|
DESCRIPTION
Rh Isoimmunization (Erthroblastosis Fetalis) occurs when there is an incompatibility between an infant's blood type and that of its mother, resulting in destruction of the infant's red blood cells (hemolytic anemia) during pregnancy and after birth by antibodies from its mother's blood.
FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Signs during pregnancy:
- Decreased fetal growth.
- Decreased fetal movement.
Signs in a newborn:
- Paleness.
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) that begins within 24 hours after delivery.
- Unexplained bruising or blood spots under the skin.
- Tissue swelling (edema).
- Breathing difficulty.
- Seizures.
- Lack of normal movement.
- Poor reflex response.
CAUSES
The fetus of an Rh-negative (blood type) mother and an Rh-positive father may be Rh-positive. If the father is known to be Rh negative, there is no concern. During delivery, a small amount of the infant's blood is absorbed by the mother through the placenta or by a medical procedure stimulating her body to produce antibodies against Rh-positive blood. The antibodies are produced after delivery, so the first infant is not affected. With succeeding pregnancies, the antibodies in the mother's blood can potentially destroy fetal blood cells. With subsequent pregnancy, anti-Rh antibodies cross the placenta and may destroy fetal blood cells. The resulting anemia can be severe enough to cause fetal death. If the fetus survives, antibodies can cross to the baby during birth, causing jaundice and other symptoms shortly after birth.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Each pregnancy after the first involving different blood types.
Previous blood transfusions. These might have contained unidentified, incompatible blood types.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Obtain prenatal care throughout pregnancy. Medical supervision early in pregnancy is essential to determine the risk of Rh incompatibility.
Special anti-Rh gamma globulin (RhoGAM) is given to the unsensitized mother at 28 weeks gestation and within 72 hours after delivery, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or abortion. This prevents formation of antibodies that might affect future infants. In women who are already producing antibodies, there is no benefit to using RhoGAM.
Amniocentesis beginning at 16 to 20 weeks if indicated by elevated antibody titers in the mother. Amniocentesis can be used in specialized laboratories to determine fetal blood type. There is risk involved with amniocentesis for the mixing of fetal and mother blood, miscarriage and injury to the fetus.
Cordocentesis (percutaneous umbilical blood sampling or PUBS) may be recommended, despite some risks, to determine fetal blood type and the degree of anemia.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
With prompt recognition of the disorder, damage to the infant can be prevented with exchange transfusions. These transfusions are administered directly into fetal circulation by PUBS.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Permanent neurological damage, such as cerebral palsy or hearing loss (rare).
Blood transfusion reaction.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
Blood tests to type the mother's, father's and infant's blood, measure the mother's Rh-positive antibodies, and detect hemolytic anemia in the infant's blood.
Amniocentesis (a small amount of amniotic fluid is withdrawn from the amniotic sac that surrounds the unborn child in the uterus for a diagnostic procedure).
Intrauterine blood transfusions (sometimes).
Transfusion to completely exchange the infant's blood after birth.
Hospitalization. The newborn child will remain in the hospital up to 2 weeks after an exchange transfusion.
If you have Rh-negative blood type, tell any health care provider or midwife who treats you. Make sure this information is in your medical records. Wear a medical alert type bracelet or pendant identifying your medical condition.
MEDICATION
If you are pregnant and have Rh-negative blood type, and you are unsensitized (no antibodies), you may be prescribed an anti-Rh gamma globulin injection (RhoGAM) at 28 weeks and again within 72 hours after delivery or termination of pregnancy for any reason. You may have an antibody titer drawn during pregnancy to see if you are producing anti-Rh antibodies. There has been concern about mercury (used as a preservative) being used in Rhogam and potential risks involved with mercury. Do research about the pros and cons of using a blood product that uses mercury as a preservative. You do not need RhoGAM if your fetus is Rh-negative. RhoGAM is not 100 percent effective. You may still become sensitized even if you use RhoGAM.
ACTIVITY
No restrictions.
DIET
The infant may be breast-fed (or bottle-fed) normally.
For the mother during pregnancy:
According to 'Polly's Birth Book' by Polly Block, that there are a number of women who had begun their childbearing years Rh- (Rh Negative). When they had continual problems with pregnancies, they began seriously to build their blood and their general health. In each case physicians, not the mothers, discovered a change in their RH status. They were now RH+ (Rh Positive). The doctors were astounded and called for additional tests and reports. They could not understand why a mother who had been RH- for years was now RH+. These women all shared something in common. In each instance, these women had concentrated on purifying their blood by changing their diets so they had exceptional nutritional intake.
(Note: This book is out-of-print and may be a collector's item today. You may be able to find one used.)
POLLY BLOCK'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Eat fruit for one week.
Eat fresh, raw, homegrown foods or organic foods. Eat foods that built blood: Grape juice, molasses, beets, etc.
Eliminate sugar, coffee and caffeine, alcohol, and soft drinks, as well as white flour, prepared foods and refined products from your diet.
Use herbal lower bowel tonic and had occasional enemas or colonics to keep their bowels evacuated thoroughly during body cleanses.
Use herbs to cleanse and build the blood. Several of these mothers gave Periwinkle special credit.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Periwinkle, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Drink plenty of cups of Red Raspberry Leaf tea.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Red Raspberry Leaf, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: Raspberry Leaf, Woman's Female Support, Yogi Tea, 16 Tea Bags
Herbal Remedies: Red Raspberry Tincture Supplement, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Red Raspberry Leaves, Nature's Way, 480 mg, 100 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Red Raspberry Tea, NOW Foods, 30 Tea Bags
Herbal Remedies: Red Raspberry Supplements & Products
A tea made from Red Clover Blossoms, Chaparral, Licorice Root, Poke Root, Peach Bark, Oregon Grape Root, Stillingia, Cascara Sagrada, Sarsparilla, Prickly Ash Bark, Burdock Root and Buckthorn Bark.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Red Clover, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: Red Clover With Prickly Ash Bark, Nature's Way, 460 mg, 100 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Red Clover Herb, Nature's Way, 500 mg, 100 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Red Clover Herb Powder (Trifolium Pratense), 4 oz. Bulk
Herbal Remedies: Red Clover Tea, Caffeine Free, Alvita Tea, 30 Tea Bags
Herbal Remedies: Red Clover Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Red Clover Supplements & Products
Mountain Rose Herbs: Chaparral, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: Chaparral Powder (Larrea Tridentata), 4 oz. Bulk
Herbal Remedies: Chaparral Tincture, 100% Organic, 2 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Chaparral Supplements & Products
Mountain Rose Herbs: Licorice Root, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: DGL (De-Glycerrhizinated Licorice), NOW Foods, 400 mg, 100 Lozenges
Herbal Remedies: Licorice Root Powder (Glycyrrhiza Glabra), 4 oz. Bulk
Herbal Remedies: Egyptian Licorice Tea, Certified Organic, Yogi Tea, 16 Tea Bags
Herbal Remedies: Licorice Extract Tincture, Herbal Remedies USA, 2 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Licorice Root Supplements & Products
Mountain Rose Herbs: Poke Root, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: Poke Root Extract Tincture, Herbal Remedies USA, 2 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Poke Root Supplements & Products
Shaman Shop: Peach Bark Extract Tincture, Prunus Persica, 2 fl. oz.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Oregon Grape Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: Oregon Grape Root, Nature's Way, 475 mg, 100 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Oregon Grape Root (Wild) Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Oregon Grape Supplements & Products
Shaman Shop: Stillingia Root, Cut & Sifted, Wild Crafted, 1 lb.
Shaman Shop: Stillingia Root Extract Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
Shaman Shop: Stillingia Root Powder, Bulk Herbs, 1/4 lb.
Shaman Shop: Stillingia Root Powder, 90 VCaps
Shaman Shop: Stillingia Root Powder, Wild Crafted, 1 lb. Mountain Rose Herbs: Cascara Sagrada, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: Cascara Sagrada Aged Bark, Nature's Way, 425 mg, 180 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Cascara Sagrada Supplements & Products
Shaman Shop: Cascara Sagrada Bark, Cut & Sifted, 1 lb.
Shaman Shop: Cascara Sagrada Bark, 400 mg, 100 VCaps
Shaman Shop: Cascara Sagrada Bark Powder, 1 lb.
Shaman Shop: Cascara Sagrada Bark Extract Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Sarsaparilla, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: Sarsaparilla Root, 425 mg, 100 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Sarsaparilla Supplement Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Sarsaparilla Supplements & Products
Mountain Rose Herbs: Prickly Ash, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: Red Clover With Prickly Ash Bark, Nature's Way, 460 mg, 100 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Prickly Ash Supplements & Products
Shaman Shop: Prickly Ash Bark, Cut & Sifted, 1 lb.
Shaman Shop: Prickly Ash Bark Powder, 1 lb. Bulk
Shaman Shop: Prickly Ash Bark Powder, 90 VCaps
Shaman Shop: Prickly Ash Extract Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
Mountain Rose Herbs: Burdock, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Herbal Remedies: Burdock Root, Nature's Way, 540 mg, 100 Caps
Herbal Remedies: Burdock Herb Powder (Arctium Lappa), 4 oz. Bulk
Herbal Remedies: Burdock Supplement Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Burdock Supplements & Products
Mountain Rose Herbs: Buckthorn, Bulk Organic Herbs, 4 oz. to 1 lb. Size Assortment
Shaman Shop: Buckthorn Aged Bark, Cut & Sifted, Certifed Organic, 1 lb. Bulk
Shaman Shop: Buckthorn Aged Bark Powder, 1 lb. Bulk
Shaman Shop: Buckthorn Bark Extract Tincture, 2 fl. oz.
Shaman Shop: Buckthorn Bark, 4:1, 90 VCaps
Herbal Remedies: Buckthorn Supplements & Products
Herbal Remedies: Gland Formula Liquid, 16 fl. oz.
The Gland formula is used to aide in Digestion, help to Eliminate Toxins and Dissolve Stones in the Gall Bladder, it helps Balance Blood Sugar Level, is used to regulate the Lymphatic System, stimulates and strengthens the Spleen and Pancreas, stimulates the Thyroid and balances the Endocrine System, and is good to keep the Heart in proper function. Suggested Dosage or Use: 1 teaspoon, 2-3 times daily more or less as desired. Contains Alfalfa, Astragalus, Barberry, Brigham Tea, Buglewood, Burdock, Catnip, Cayenne Pepper, Chamomile, Chaparral, Dandelion, Dulse, Echinacea, Fenugreek,Garlic, Ginger, Ginkgo, Goldenseal, Gotu Kola, Hawthorn Berry, Hawthorn Leaf, Hydrangea, Hyssop, Irish Moss, Juniper Berry, Atlantic Kelp, Licorice, Lobelia, Motherwort, Oregon Grape, Pau D'Arco, Parsley Leaf, Peach Bark, Peppermint, Poke, Prickley Ash, Red Clover, Rhubarb, Saffron, Sarsaparilla Root, Stillingea, Tansy, Uva Ursi, Wild Yam, Yarrow, & Yellow Dock.
HERBAL BLENDS: DR. CHRISTOPHER'S BRAND
A few capsules daily of: Goldenseal Root, Blessed Thistle, Cayenne, Cramp Bark, False Unicorn Root, Ginger, Red Raspberry Leaves, Squaw Vine and Uva Ursi.
(Female Reproduction Formula (NuFem 100) Capsules or Extract
Ingredients: Golden Seal Root, Blessed Thistle Herb, Cayenne Pepper, Cramp Bark, False Unicorn Root, Ginger Root, Red Raspberry Leaves, Squawvine Herb and Uva Ursi Leaves.
And a few capsules daily of: Black Cohosh, Sarsparilla, Ginseng, Licorice, False Unicorn, Holy Thistle and Squawvine.
(Hormonal Changeease (Changease 100) Capsules or Extract
Ingredients: Black Cohosh, Sarsparilla, Ginseng, Licorice, False Unicorn, Holy Thistle and Squaw Vine.
Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C with bioflavonoids daily for the last 30 weeks of your pregnancy (Susan Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year).
Herbal Remedies: Vitamin C Liquid, With Rose Hips & Bioflavonoids, Kosher, Natural Citrus Flavor, Dynamic Health, 1000 mg, 16 fl. oz.
Herbal Remedies: Ester C With Bioflavonoids, Nature's Way, 1000 mg, 90 Tabs
Herbal Remedies: Vitamin C Powder, Alive! 100% Whole Food Complex, Nature's Way, 120 Grams
Herbal Remedies: Vitamin C-1000 With Bioflavonoids, Nature's Way, 100% Natural, 1000 mg, 250 VCaps
Herbal Remedies: The Right C Vitamin C Powder, Nature's Way, 120 grams
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
Your baby has any of the following symptoms after the birth (whether at home, birth center or in the hospital):
- Fever.
- Jaundice (within 24 hours).
- Poor appetite or poor weight gain.
- Excessive crying that does not stop when the baby is held.
RELATED LINKS
Jennifer's Birth Story
Kim's Information About Rh- Mothers and Rhogam
Rhogam information for law suits: warnings about mercury content in Rhogam
Mandatory Rhogam shots: Question everything
Rh- Information and alternative methods of building your blood
RhoGam Safety Letter by FDA
MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Rhogam Question to MoonDragon.org
PREGNANCY RELATED LINKS
For a full list of available products from Mountain Rose Herbs, click on banner below:
HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition
Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders
-- by Phyllis A. Balch
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing
If you see a suggested Amazon product "not there" as indicated by an orange box with the Amazon logo, this only means the specific product link has been changed by Amazon.com. Use the "click here" icon on the orange box and it will bring you to Amazon.com and you can do a search for a specific product using keywords and a new list of available products and prices will show. Their product and resource links are constantly changing and being upgraded. Many times there are more than one link to a specific product. Prices will vary between product distributors so it pays to shop around and do price comparisons.
Educational materials and health products are available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.
HERBS, OILS, & SUPPLIES
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
Click Here To Visit Herbal Remedies Product Page
A Source For Medicinal & Ritual Herbs & Supplies
Aphrodisiacs Aromatherapy Bath & Body Care Bulk Herbs By The Pound Capsules, Tablets & Extracts Chinese Herbals Electronics Extracts First Aid Products Food Products, Mixes, Seeds, Snacks & More! Hair Care Products & Supplies Herbs & Oils, Kilo & Ton Hydroponics & Gardening Kava Products Kitchen & Housewares Mushrooms Musical Instruments Oral Care & Dental Products PC & IT - Computer Supplies & Accessories Skin Care, Cosmetics, & Gift Sets Smokes, Seeds, Cacti Spices, Salts, Sweeteners, & Seasonings Sports, Toys & Games Sweets, Candy, Chips & Snacks Stimulants Sedatives Teas & Coffees
Shaman Shop Home Page
