women s health issues
Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn
Treatment of Rh Incompatibility
For anemia in the fetus, blood transfusions Sometimes early delivery If the fetus has Rh-negative blood or if results of tests continue to indicate that the fetus does not have anemia, the pregnancy can continue to term without any treatment. If anemia is diagnosed in the fetus, the fetus can be given a blood transfusion before birth by a specialist at a center that specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Most often, the transfusion is given through a needle inserted into a vein in the umbilical cord. Usually, additional transfusions are given until 32 to 35 weeks of pregnancy. Exact timing of the transfusions depends on how severe the anemia is and how old the fetus is. Timing of delivery is based on the individual woman's situation. Before the first transfusion, women are often given corticosteroids if the pregnancy has lasted 23 or 24 weeks or longer. Corticosteroids help the fetus's lungs mature and help prevent the common Preterm (Premature) Newborns . The baby may need additional transfusions after birth. Sometimes no transfusions are needed until after birth. 