Rh incompatibility is one of the problems that can occur in pregnancy and childbirth. It is an inequality in a blood component between the mother and the fetus, which can carry some risks for the baby. Here we tell you everything you need to know about it.
What is the Rh factor?
Red blood cells are the cells in charge of transporting oxygen in the blood so that it reaches all tissues. These red blood cells have different types of proteins on their surface. One of these types of proteins will determine the blood group, which can be A, B, AB or 0.
There are other types of proteins found on the surface of these cells, and they are the ones that determine the Rh factor. Depending on whether a person’s red blood cells present this antigen or not, each individual can be Rh + (if their blood cells have this type of protein on their surface) or Rh – (if they don’t). Both the Rh factor and the blood group are inherited from parents to children.
What is Rh incompatibility?
Rh incompatibility is the inequality between the Rh factor of mothers and children. Most of the population is Rh positive. However, when a woman who becomes pregnant is Rh negative, and the father of the baby is Rh positive, the developing fetus may be Rh positive through paternal inheritance.
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