Rh Factor Incompatibility and how it Affects a Pregnant Mother and Her Fetus or Newborn

Rh Factor Incompatibility and How it Affects a Pregnant Mother
and Her Fetus or Newborn

Rh incompatibility is a condition that occurs when the mother of a fetus or a newborn has Rh-negative blood type and the fetus or newborn has Rh-positive blood. This incompatible blood reaction may cause progressive problems in a newborn as well as life-threatening problems for future pregnancies.

What is the Rh Factor?
Rh factor is a protein present in red blood cells. Proteins called antigens on the surface of the red blood cell (RBC) determine the type of blood you have (Ackley and Ladwig 98). There are four major blood types: A, B, AB, and O. There are two antigens, A and B. When A antigen is present, you have Type A blood. If you have the B antigen on the RBC, then you have the Type B blood. When both A and B antigens are present, you have Type AB blood. When neither are present, you have Type O blood.
When an antigen is present on the RBC, then the opposite antibody is present...