In 1937, Karl Landsteiner and Alexander Weiner discovered a new blood type: the rhesus blood type, or Rh factor. The rhesus protein is named for the rhesus monkey, which also carries the gene, and is a protein that lives on the surface of the red blood cells. This protein is also often called the D antigen. When it comes to blood transfusion, anyone who is Rh positive can receive blood from someone who is Rh negative, but those with negative blood types cannot receive from anyone with a positive blood type.
To put it simply, Landsteiner and Weiner discovered that blood types can be either Rh positive or Rh negative, doubling the commonly known blood types from four (A, B, AB, and O), to the eight we know today.
However, when it comes to the Rh blood types, many of us do not fully understand what it means to be positive or negative. In the United States, approximately 85% of the population has an Rh-positive blood type, leaving only 15% with Rh negative. Just as we inherit our blood type “letter” from our parents, we inherit the Rh factor from them as well. Each person has two Rh factors in their genetics, one from each parent. The only way for someone to have a negative blood type is for both parents to have at least one negative factor. For example, if someone’s Rh factors are both positive, it is not possible for his or her child to have a negative blood type. Only people with at least one Rh-negative factors will have a negative blood type, which is why the occurrence of Rh-negative blood is less common than Rh-positive blood.
When Landsteiner and Weiner discovered the Rh protein, they were researching solutions for the cause of a medical mystery that killed dozens of babies each day. This led to the development and FDA-approval of RhoGAM® in 1968. RhoGAM, or Rho(d) Immune Globulin Human, is a sterilized solution made from human blood. It is used to prevent an immune response in mothers who are Rh negative. If a pregnant woman who is Rh negative does not receive RhoGAM, and is carrying an Rh-positive baby, she risks the health of future pregnancies because she has been exposed to the positive blood from her current unborn baby.
Once a woman finds out she is pregnant, her doctor will test her blood to determine her Rh factor. Since more people are Rh positive than Rh negative, it is likely that an Rh-negative mother could be carrying a baby who is Rh positive, creating the risk for hemolytic disease of a newborn (HDN) in future pregnancies, essentially destroying that baby’s red blood cells. If a woman is Rh negative, she will most likely receive a RhoGAM injection.
When a woman receives RhoGAM, it protects her immune system from the exposure to the current baby’s Rh-positive blood. If she does not receive the injection, her body will develop antibodies that could attack the positive red blood cells of babies in subsequent pregnancies, which will cause HDN. HDN can cause serious illnesses, brain damage or even death in a fetus or newborn. Pregnant women typically receive RhoGAM twice during their pregnancy: once at approximately 28 weeks and once within 72 hours of delivery, if in fact, the newborn baby is Rh positive.
Although we have become accustomed to adding a positive or negative description to our blood type, the Rh factor plays a larger role than many of us realize. Knowing your blood type can play a significant role in your life and health.
I am RH negative, unfortunately I found out the hard way after 2 miscarriages,my Dr’s could not pinpoint the problem. While in the ER with my second miscarriage they found out about me having the RH negative factor. I now have 2 beautiful children,but I wished they would have found it sooner. This article is very informative and really gives great insight on the Rh factors.Thank you,Paty
Im O negative does that put me with the rh negative blood type family
Yes!
Im O negative RH negative. What does that mean for me?
That means you’re a universal donor! Your blood can be given to any recipient.
Yes it does. You just said it yourself that you are O- so you are negative. If you’d have said you were O+ then you would be positive.
That’s correct.
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you may be a fantastic author. That is an extremely smartly written article. Keep this going please, great job!
Thank you so much, Kenneth!
I too am a part of the RH Negative family. I loved reading this article!! I remember the first time my dr spoke to me regarding my blood type, he said, you know you’re among the special humans. I lol and asked was that a joke because throughout my adult life I had been told I had to be ever so careful due to the small percentage of RH Neg, people out there. I was even told it was smart to store my own blood whenever I knew I would have surgery. My mom, her mom/sisters all are Rh Neg. I was given the RhoGAM injections with all 3 pregnancies. None of my children have my blood type….So tell me again how special Rh Negative people we are, lol. Great read!
Hi Saun. You are special! Thanks for reading and supporting our mission.
I have a question… I know I’m rh negative and A does that mean I’m A positive with rh negative or A negative with eh negative… Just want to clarify it.
Dana, that means you are A-. The Rh is usually stated such as “Blood group A Rh positive” or “Blood group A Rh negative.” The RH is the factor at the end of their blood type.
I would like to know what happens when u inject rhogam into a rh – mother who’s carrying an rh- fetus ?? They never talk about this they just assume the fetus is most likely positive they never talk about the risk of injecting pooled blood from rh positive persons into a mother and child whom are both negative !! The risk of getting this injection and not knowing the child your carryings blood type just assuming seems naive and very dangerous!! Just sayin Rhogam can be a good thing but also very bad good forbid u get your rhogam at your 28 week visit when u are not carrying a rh positive child and u get into a car accident and u have rh positive running though your body for 3 weeks that doesn’t belong there you are putting both of u in danger ! What they don’t tell u is that the safest way is to wait till after u give birth to get rhogam after u find out babies blood type cuz the chances of blood mixing is so slim unless u have been in car accident had an amino or anything that could possibly mix yours and child’s blood which then u would have 72 hours to receive rhogam !
Hi Cindy. It would definitely be best to talk to your OBGYN or primary care physician about any issues pertaining to a pregnancy to ensure you have all of the knowledge before making any big decisions.
I am in this group also, I’ve lost 3 babies, but I got my miricale and rainbow baby boy, he’s 4 years old now, I’m so thankful my doctor caught it before, I went farther along in my pregnancy.
Stephanie, thank you for sharing your story! We’re so happy to hear about your healthy 4-year old baby boy.
My wife is rh positive. Now she is pregnant. In the past she had apportion. She did not injected the injection. The doctor said her bod may or may not prepared antibody.she told her to back after 6 months to see what will happen. But am afraid what will happen to the baby and my wife. Is there any medical solution to check now?
Hi Essays, it would be best to check with your OBGYN on these questions.
Can I donate blood if I’m anemic?
Hi Gina. Thank you for your willingness to donate! Our donor advocates will have a few more questions for you regarding anemia if you don’t mind calling them at 1-888-480-8200. Thanks!
Nope. They wouldn’t let me donate when I was anemic. But that’s an ez fix.. start taking prescribed iron pills.. it’s simple to overcome if you just stay at it on a daily basis..
Both my parents have been tested and confirmed to be rh+ yet me and my sister are both rh- ; does this mean that both my parents have one rh- factor each ?
Hi Ethan. That is correct! The only way for someone to have a negative blood type is for both parents to have at least one negative factor each.
What if am Rh+ then terminate a pregnancy for a man that is Rh-, will it have any effect on child bearing in the future?
Hi Tonia. It would definitely be best to talk to your OBGYN or primary care physician about this.
Hi my gf is pregnant with our first child together. She has had a child before and this will be her second. She was also not aware of what blood type she is until her recent blood tests. She discovered is A- and was subsiquently told she will have to take at least three to four shots with RhoGAM before our baby boy is born.I am now concerned having read up about potential risks mentioned herewith especially the high HDN risk when the mother is pregnant with her second baby. What can one do to ensure that the baby and mother are not affected especially when we do not know the baby’s blood type. I am AB blood type and Rh+ and I dread potential dangers involved.
Sabelo, we’d recommend speaking to your OBGYN or primary care physician in regards to these questions to ensure you have all of the knowledge before making any big decisions.
I am rh negative. I have 2 children whom are not the same, thankful for the rhogam injections I was given so that my babies were born healthy.
Thanks for sharing, Renee! We are glad to hear that your babies were born healthy!
Way back in 1974 when my daughter was born, the Rhogam injection was still being understood. I received the injection within 72 hours of the birth of my daughter. Fast forward to 1977, I had a very early miscarriage. In fact, the doctor at the ER was not completely sure if what I brought into the ER was indeed a miscarried fetus. He sent it to Pathology for determination. While in route going home, that doctor telephoned me and left a message to call him when I got home (no cell phones back then! Ha!) I returned his call and he said I should come back in to the ER right away and get a Rhogam injection just in case I indeed had a miscarriage. He did not want to risk any more time if there was a delay in Pathology process in determining if it was a fetus. Although I am glad he was he was aware of this Rh negative issue, I never had any children after that possible miscarriage (my choice). Keep up the great work Carter BloodCare!
Thank you for the positive feedback. We are sorry to hear about what happened to you. Thank you for sharing your story and helping others.
I am A-, what does my future hold as far as child bearing is concerned? Does my blood group A- have an effect on my wife and children i hope to have in future?
Hi Ronnie, Thanks for reaching out. It depends on what blood type your wife is. The risk associated with the Rh- gene only pertains to if the mother has it or not. If your wife is Rh+ she should not be at risk. To be safe, make sure to talk with your wife’s OBGYN or primary care physician about any issues pertaining to a pregnancy.
So, my eldest son is 0-. I am A+. His father must then be 0- and I must carry a silent Rh- from my parents in order for him to be Rh-? We both carry one Rh- which would explain how he is 0-. Wondered for a long time how I could have produced 0-.
My parents had 4 children. Only one is RH negative. Why wouldn’t all the children be either RH negative or positive?
Not all siblings have the same blood type. Each person has two Rh factors in their genetics, one from each parent. The only way for someone to have a negative blood type is for both parents to have at least one negative factor. Only people with at least one Rh-negative factors will have a negative blood type, which is why the occurrence of Rh-negative blood is less common than Rh-positive blood.
I agree, I have A-, my husband had AB+..I had four children. Oldest A-, 2nd A+, third B+, forth AB+…four children with 4 different types…
I am rh d negative I v had abortion in d past without knowledge of all these so ruhgam was not given, what if i v develope d anti bodies is it possible to carry a healthy pregnancy? Secondly, if d mother is negative and father positive who as d higher percentage of passing same blood to child?
The blood that is passed to the child is determined by both parents. In regards to if your next pregnancy will be healthy, we recommend you talk with your OBGYN or primary care physician about your specific situation.
So what happens when a B neg. Person receives B Positive blood ?
Hi Paul, B+ blood can only be given to B+ and AB+ people. B- blood can be given to B-, B+, AB-, and AB+. We hope that helps!
My blood type is Rh- and I am been sensitized. The antibodies developed in my blood after a first pregnancy (though Rhogam had been given appropriately) and before a second pregnancy. The doctor suspects I had an early-term miscarriage between my two (nearly) full-term pregnancies. I was monitored each month during my second pregnancy, but no intervention was needed and my second daughter was born healthy and strong. I assume she has Rh- blood. My question: Can I be a blood donor? Or, might the presence of these antibodies be potentially problematic for a recipient of my blood?
Hi Sara! Thank you for wanting to donate! Our donor advocates will be able to talk with you about your specific situation and let you know if it is safe for you to donate. Please reach out to them at 1-888-480-8200. Thanks!
I had 4 healthy children and I am Rh- I received the injections each time and all my kids are +. My first was born in 1983 the last in 1993. I never knew that I couldn’t receive blood of a different type. Is this true?
Hi Tamara, You can only receive blood from other negative donors.
I am rh- I have the rhogam shot with all my pregnancies and all my kids are fine even to my little girl who also has my blood type. I am thankful for the articles on rh- blood it has helped me to understand more about my blood and just how much I really need to donate it which I am going to start doing and I will also encourage my daughter when she gets old enough to donate also.
Thank you, Becca! It is important to learn about the blood type you have. We truly appreciate you donating and encouraging your daughter to do so as well.
I have 0 positive blood.
I have a sister who is RH negative. Are we blood sisters?
Hi Pamela! Siblings can often times have different blood types. Thanks for asking.
Greetings. I am O RH + and my husband and I many years ago went through 10 years of infertility treatment including IVF. We were unsuccessful 100% of getting pregnant. We were both strong, athletic, healthy with no reason on my part to not get pregnant (other than an inverted womb) and his sperm count was over average. We adopted 2 beautiful children instead which is a God send, however, I wonder if it had anything to do with our blood types possibly being un compatible? Am I way off here or is this possible? Thank you!
There are always a lot of factors, so we couldn’t say for sure. However, congratulations on your adoptions and we appreciate you doing that! What a wonderful thing.
My husband is o-, I am o+RH-,
My daughter sais shinis o+ can that be correct if I am considered o-?
Each person has two Rh factors in their genetics, one from each parent. The only way for someone to have a negative blood type is for both parents to have at least one negative factor.
My name is Tracy and I am O-Rh-. I’ve been reading about rh- and O- blood types. Since I have the o negative and rh negative I was wondering if this type is more rare? Any feedback would be appreciated. I’m trying to get as much information on it as I can.
Thank you
Hi, Tracy — AB- is actually the most rare type of blood (~1% of the population has it). But only about 7% has O-, and it’s the universal donor!
I have AB – BLOOD
I ALWAYS KNEW I WAS DIFFERENT. 🤔
Message*am now 28th week first pregnancy and am rh- ,and i was to. be given anti-d yesterday buh when i went to the hospital i was told that they dont have it,now am worried because i dont know what next,is there any risk for me and my baby?please tell me
Abigael – please consult your physician; and if your physician needs help, he/she can call our MD-on-call if they have questions about the testing.
Thank you for this article. My blood type is A- and I am Rh- as well. All 3 of my children have the same blood type. Does this mean that they may have the Rh negative trait as well
You’d want to get them tested, just in case, but there’s a chance, yes!
We’ll be able to tell them their blood type if they donate!
I am a rh b negative. I had only one shot with my first child in 82 but receive 2 with my second one at 6 mons and one after delivery. No problems with either. But my sister who is O positive I believe kept having miscarriages with one certain ex husband. Could he have been rh negative?? She has had 3 boys many years ago all in their 30’s. Also can a rh B negative like my self donate blood to an O negative person whom needs blood for transfusion and also if I have had active hepatitis along with the active antibodies due to hepatitis at age 15??? Can I still donate ???
We cannot comment on the first part of this as we don’t have any research on it.
However, you can check your eligibility here: http://www.carterbloodcare.org/eligibility/
I am o+ and rh+ and had several miscarriages my husband is rh- could this be why I am having the miscarriages
We cannot speak to that. We suggest you consult your OBGYN on this issue.
I did blood tests in 2013 that said I’m b+ never got any injection s with my second pregnancy I went into labour at 31 weeks and 4 days before my Emergency c section a blood test was done and I’m infact Rh negative. Baby keeps getting jaundice…. I did however receive the anti d injection after the birth. Why does my baby keeps getting jaundice? Breast milk perhaps? Please help I’m freaked out
Please consult a physician. Since we don’t know all the details, we are unable to give you council.
Hi, I’m AB- and my first 3 children are rh- and my youngest is the only one who is rh+ (all same father). Does this mean my husband has both +- traits? Also, would I be able to have one more baby without any complications?
Please consult a physician. We aren’t able to predict complications or give medical advice.
I am A- and married to a man who is O+, we have a child who is almost 5 years old. I was given the Rhogam shot within 48 hours of delivery. I would like to know if rhesus incompatibility affects the conception of future pregnancies. Thank you.
Please consult a physician. We aren’t able to predict complications or give medical advice.
I am B negative, my husband B positive. Both of our children are RH positive. With both children I developed Hellp Syndrome (severe pre-eclampsia) at 37 and 36 weeks respectively. With my first child I was induced, the second was an emergency c-section. They were born 8 years apart and since Hellp is rare, during my second pregnancy I was told the chance of getting Hellp again was slim. I had no trouble conceiving and am otherwise healthy, and my pregnancies were normal up to that point. I always felt my Rh negative status was a factor.
Perhaps so. However, we aren’t able to predict complications or give medical advice, so please consult a physician if you have questions about your pregnancies.
I am RH- O- BLOOD TYPE and I saved a newborn baby from dying. I had given birth to my daughter the same week this baby needed O- blood because she was O-BLOOD Type and the hospital didn’t have enough of the O-BLOOD Type which the baby needed to survive the surgery that was needed to save her. When the doctor came up to me to tell me they needed my blood I said save that babies life! In YouTube videos all I hear is the most hateful and hurtful things about RH-blood type people. We O- are humans who save lives. I thought we would be thanked by the Human Population of this world but unfortunately we are not. YouTube videos call us fallen angel babies which are Demon babies! We are called Aliens we are said to be Dammed by God. Does the +Blood Type population not Understand that the RH-blood type prove there is a GOD. I thank GOD that he gave me this Universal blood type because there is a 20 year old woman in this world that is alive I hope she still is that has life cause my blood runs through her veins.
We appreciate your gift of life to the baby in the hospital! Anyone who donates, not just O-, are saving lives and we cannot begin to tell each and every donor how much we appreciate your gifts of life to those in need.
Me and my brother are rh negative her are some traits you might relate too I know we do
A feeling of not belonging
Truth seekers
Sense of a “Mission” in life
Empathy & Compassion for Mankind
An extra rib or vertebra.
Higher than average IQ
ESP Ability
Love of Space & Science
More sensitive vision & other senses.
Increased of psychic/intuitive abilities
Cannot be cloned
Lower body temperature
Higher blood pressure (some say lower)
Predominantly blue, green, or Hazel eyes
Red or reddish tint to hair color
Increased sensitivity to heat & sunlight
Unexplained Scares
Piercing Eyes
Tend to be Healers
Empathetic Illnesses
Ability to disrupt electrical devices
Prone to Alien Abductions
Experience unexplained phenomenon
Physic Dreams and/or Ability
I am RH- and received Rhogam after 3 healthy births first being born in 1982. Will there be a problem with my RH+ daughters having a RH- baby?
We are not able to predict this or give you any medical advice. Please consult a physician.
I and my wife has B positive blood but our first daughter is B negative while the others have B positive please enlighten me on whats going on.
Do you know your blood type? As stated above, “the only way for someone to have a negative blood type is for both parents to have at least one negative factor.”
Thanks for this clear information on RH Factor issues. I had my Dr test my blood type as it has been yrs since I donated blood (I have arthritis & auto-immune issues so lol they don’t want my blood for donations), and I wanted to list it in my Emergency Info. I learned I was RH+., and this site has provided me with a much better understanding of what that means, Thanks Again!
I was told years ago I could not donate blood. This was in 70’s. My first baby died of crib death at 4 months old. She was seemingly healthy and rh negative should not affect first pregnancy, right? I did not hear of RH negative factor till my third pregnancy. They may have given it after second pregnancy but back then doctors did not tell u a lot. They kept me sedated three days after second birth. My second and third pregnancy produced healthy babies. Did them saying my blood could not be given to others be due to rh negative factor? Told me my blood could kill others. Kinda made me wonder how it worked in me. 😱
You’ll need to consult a physician about this. We are not able to give you any medical advice.
I am Hr positive is that something totally different or is it the same thing
We’re looking at Rh, not Hr. Is that what you mean?
My blood type is O rh-. My question is this,
am I also considered O- rh-? Or can you be O+ and rh-? I’m confused about this.
If you’re O- that means you’re Rh-!
I had that very question. I have always said O- Rh-
I was certain that someone could be O- Rh+
I guess what is confusing me is that further up this list it sounded as though you were saying that 2 parents with positive blood could have a negative factor
Ethan88: both my parents have been tested and confirmed to be RH positive yet me and my sister are both our age negative; does this mean that both my parents have one Rh negative factor each?
Your response: Hi Ethan. That is correct the only way for someone to have negative blood type is for both parents to have at least one negative factor each
It’s not possible for someone to be O- and Rh+. The “negative” in the O- type is the Rh.
That said, the point we made previously was that, for a child to have an Rh- blood type (A-, B-, AB-, or O-), at least one of his/her parents must have an Rh- blood type.
You’re just O-! The – or + is the Rh.
Have you ever heard of anyone being told they don’t need rhogam because they are O- with an rh factor that is 3+ positive? If so, Please explain.
If you’d like to give us your email address or contact us through a private Facebook message, we can give you a phone number to contact.
My daughter is pregnant 10 weeks, her blood test result is O positive and RH negative, what does it mean? Is she under risk for future 2nd baby pregnancy?
We cannot give medical advice. She will need to consult a physician.
Message*thanks for sharing the information
Hi there
My mum was ABO- and my dad is B- I am 0- I have looked into this, charts say that my mother cannot possibly be my mother! I know she was this blood group as she had to carry around a little book that said so, I think it was blue, can’t be sure. What do you think?
Thankyou
We aren’t able to comment on this. Please consult a physician.
Hello, My mother was rh- and my father was 0+, I was born in 1962, my Mom told me that when I was born that my blood was fighting (I do not know what that means) and that the doctor had to give me three blood transfusions to change my blood type from rh- to B+. My sister was born in 1966, her blood was not changed so she is rh-. My sister got pregnant in 1986 and went to her ob/gyn appointment and told her doctor that she was rh-, and would need a rhogam shot, the doctor laughed at her saying that the government got rid of rh- blood in the 1960’s. My sister asked the doctor to humor her and give her a blood test to see what blood type she was and it was rh-. My question is, did they give me three blood transfusions when I was born just to get rid of my rh- blood like my sister’s doctor told her? Can you please explain to me why my blood was changed and my sister’s blood was not changed in 1966? This is very confusing to me, I hope that I have explained it right. Thank you for any help that you can give me.
We aren’t able to give medical advice or opinions. Please consult your physician.
My husband is B- and I am O+ I already had a miscarriage my first pregnancy. I want to know if this has anything with my pregnancy
We aren’t able to give medical advice. Please consult your physician.
I am O Negative RH I was told by the Red Cross that my blood could help children with sickle cell I haven’t seen any other comments about that why not I donate whenever I can I also carry a rare donor card I haven’t heard anyone else mention that either
We’d love to schedule an appointment for you if you’d like to donate! You can visit https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/geo or call/text us 800-366-2834 for an appointment.
Is there an honest RH- blood type registry door those in need of this blood type ?
I am RH- always anemic and can not donate blood. I also have abnormal blood cells (not sure what that means) so I can not donate plasma either.
I’m not sure I understand your question. Can you rephrase?
I have A-rhesus factor and my husband is O+. In my first pregnancy, i was given the antigen injection only once immediately after delivery. I am pregnant with my second child now. Please i want to know at how many weeks i need to take the antigen injection and how many times. Thanks
We aren’t able to give medical advice. Please consult your physician.
Hello,
I am O neg, and I have been carrying an Rh id card with me since 1986. I am always curious and somewhat confused about the meaning of the reference Immune Globulin and the word (Human) next to it in (). What does it mean, Human blood. Is my blood not human? Please clarify if you can. Thank you in advance.
It’s just an additional indicator! We’re sure you’re human. 😉
Ha, thank you. I sure hope so.
My daughter has an blood group of b rh positive and she is now 8yrs old .will her future life will be disturb after her marriage..i m worried about her .pls sugest me .what should i do…..
There is no issue with being B-. If you’d like more information on blood types, please consult a physician.
how much more do you get for RH-negative type?
All donations made through Carter BloodCare are done so freely. We do not pay for blood as we are a not for profit business.
RH Positive parents can pass down RH Negative blood to their children. Each parents carry an extra set of genes, so if a mother is Type O RH(+) positive and has a silent negative silent recessive gene (-) which should look like O+/- and the father is carrying O+/- too and his negative gene is recessive, the two positive parents can pass down the silent copy to their child. This is how I received O negative.
What is important to note that wasn’t clarified in the first paragraph is that persons with O Negative blood CAN ONLY receive blood from an O Negative donor. They are universal donors, which makes everyone’s best friend when accidents occur. When I was in the military, I looked for other O Neg persons in my unit and made them my battle buddy. If they had blood loss I was there, and vice versa.
Joy – thanks for sharing your expertise. And thank you for your service!
Hi, thanks for the informative article. I’m O-, I only found out when I was pregnant with my 1st child (have 3, all grown now), thankfully they told me about my blood type, and had the shots during & after pregnancy so all 3 kids are healthy, but all have positive blood like their father. My mother was very surprised when I told her my blood type.
My question is, since I have O- blood type and you say that everyone has 2 rh factors, what would my other rh factor be? Would it be another negative or positive? Thanks!
We can’t predict that, but if you donate with us, we report your blood type to you!
My blood type is A negative, I have had one successful pregnancy, my son been A positive and I have had two miscarriages after him, I really want to have another baby, is it possible through having this injection.
We are not able to give medical advice. Please consult a physician.
I’m a-as is my brother yet our siblings and parents are positive.after my so was born they came to inject me with a then trial serum of which I took only one. My so is a positive child now after 40 odd years I’m considering a kidney transplant to a man of different rh factors as well as rarer blood my question is asbim 68 in good health will these factors ruin my chances of helping hihe is 57
Please consult a physician as we are unable to give medical advice.
So are you saying that in order for an th negative blood type baby to be born , at least one parent has to have the RH negative factor ? What if one parent only has a “negative blood type “ such as O-? What if both parents have positive blood type and their baby had the RH negative blood type?
“If someone’s Rh factors are both positive, it is not possible for his or her child to have a negative blood type. Only people with at least one Rh-negative factors will have a negative blood type, which is why the occurrence of Rh-negative blood is less common than Rh-positive blood.”
Hi,
My mother was RH-. I was her second child. She did not receive the rhogram injection at all prior to my birth. I was the second born. I am RH- and have received the injections as recommended for my deliveries. My mother was not in the healthcare field so I have some questions surrounding my birth. She told me when I was born, that I was very red. She said that I had to stay in an “incubator” for several days after birth and that I had to have a transfussion to reverse my blood because it was too thick? What was the treatment for a child born under these conditions. I understand most children die because they were miscarried or are severely mentally ill. How often does a child survive from what I have described. Can you please share any details you may have. I can’t find much research on it.
We cannot give our opinion or advice on this subject. Please consult a physician.
Hello Sir,
My wife is with B rh -ve blood group. We lost two babies in last two years in months 9th & 8th months of pregnancy. She had Coombs test positive in last pregnancy with titre 1:16. My blood group is O+ve. Is there any treatment available in this case to get positive result for baby? I have one first baby girl with 6 yrs old with o+ve blood group.
We cannot give our opinion or advice on this subject. Please consult a physician.
If I am Rh- and I find out I am pregnant but the father’s blood is a positive, how quick should I get the shot to protect my blood from my babies? Need answers I’m worried
We cannot offer any medical advice. Please consult a physician.
I had a miscarriage in 1991, at the age of 18. Was about 2 1/2 -3 months. I got pregnant again about 7 months later. I was informed I was Rh-, and received the Rhogam shot at 28 weeks. Then after I delivered my son,(blood type A+) was NOT given the 2nd Rhogam shot until my son was 3 months old. I am 45 now and not through menopause yet. Want to know if there is still a risk of getting pregnant and miscarrying again? Being I did not receive the Rhogam shot in a timely manner?
We cannot offer any medical advice. Please consult a physician.
Hi, I am a man with O Negative blood group and my wife is A Positive and she is Pregnant. Will she need Rhogam Shots? Is there any impact on the Pregnancy? Thank you.
We aren’t able to give medical advice. Please consult a physician.
“Just as we inherit our blood type “letter” from our parents, we inherit the Rh factor from them as well. Each person has two Rh factors in their genetics, one from each parent. The only way for someone to have a negative blood type is for both parents to have at least one negative factor.” I am O-ve but my mom and dad are O+ve as confirmed by doctors from 2 countries (India and Australia). Is this a rarity?
Potentially! Please consult a physician if you have additional question!
Is rh positive and rh negative the same that needs rhogam shots during pregnancy? Or only the rh negative?
Rh negative is the one that would require the shot during pregnancy.
my sister is about to start dialysis.. she is rh neg and needs a kidney.. my mom says she is b and my dad is A.. but mom was seeing another person and is worried that he could have been the carrier.. If neither parents are rh neg, can the child still have rh neg blood?
We aren’t able to give medical advice. Please consult a phyisician.
I recently found that i have ab-blood. Should i donate plasma or whole blood cells?
If you’re able to to, we’d greatly appreciate plasma donations, as we have less donors who do so.
Teaching a lesson on Blood Typing and Rh factor. This was amazing and very informative in assisting with my teaching lesson. Thank you so much for being thorough.
We’re glad that we were able to assist!
Hye,,i wanna ask,,im B+ blood type,,what if i want to donate my blood to B-???is it ok?
B+ can give red blood cells to other B+ and AB+ recipients.
You can read more here: http://www.carterbloodcare.org/blood-facts/blood-types/b-positive/
I have in numerous occasions tried to find out my Blood type because my mother was O negative but it seems to me I always get a run around & never get the appropriate answer, why is that???
It should not be a mystery.
You can visit your dashboard on our website and it will show your blood type in the top left corner.
https://ww2.greatpartners.org/donor/home/index
While pregnant with my daughter, i received 2 Rhogam injections. Then during some routine bloodwork they discovered that i am not RH negative and neither is my spouse. This was back in 2012. Is there any risks associated with receiving vaccines that are not needed or necessary for either the mother or child?
DeeAnn – you’ll need to consult a physician about this. We are not able to give medical advice.
Can a mother who is O blood type and a father that is B+ have a child that is A Rh negative? Really great article. I lost three babies, all early miscarriages even though I was given the injection after each miscarriage. My oldest child a 17 yr old girl has an autoimmune disease that is idiopathic. I’m starting to think that this may have something to do with my blood type. FYI both my children are B+.
Thanks
Please consult a physician about this. We are not able to give medical advice.
I am Rh- that has had multiple
(deeply remorseful)abortions with Rhogam injections after each. (I hope) I remember some injections? Others I don’t.
With hx of anemia. Last year I received 4 weeks iv iron (INFED) infusion therapy. Hgb increased to 14, RDW high at 18. but my abdomen began to grow to the point I look 5 months pregnant. And the undertones of my hands and skin are bright red, and body is radiating heat
Is it possible that old rbcs or fetal tissue remnants still in uterus from a previous positive pregnancy have come in contact with my Rh- blood now that it is in abundance. Last termination was 1990
Are cells affecting my spleen or my liver? I am very worried. Please advise
You’ll need to consult a physician about this, Star. We are not able to give medical advice.
I was given a Rhogam card to carry after I received the Rhogam injection. Should I continue to carry that card if I’m long past child bearing age? Just curious because I have lost it over the years. If I should carry it, how would I get it replaced?
We’re not able to answer that for you. I’m sorry!
I am RH neg. A. Am I still concerned a universal donor?
The “universal donor” is O-. You can find more details here: http://www.carterbloodcare.org/blood-facts/blood-types/
I am A+ does this mean i’m Rh+and my husband is AB- so does that mean he’s Rh-. Will there be any complications in our pregnancy?
Please consult a physician. We are unable to give medical advise.
We just had our first grand baby, the hospital is saying they can’t tell if the baby is neg. or pos. How can that be? Baby’s mother is told the same thing, they said she has weak blood?
We’re unable to give medical advice. Please consult with a physician.
My mom is RH negative and my dad is O negative. I am O positive. I had anemia for almost 18 years of my life. Also I was born with one eye I guess it’s called a lazy eye. Was this because her blood was attacking mine? And how come I am a positive when both of them are a negative?
We’re not able to give medical advice. Please consult a physician.
Can I be +A positive and be rh negative at the same time? I’ve had four miscarriages before they discovered I had antibodies which attach my baby after labour he was +0 positive like his dad. His dad is o positive with rh positive. My question Is shouldn’t I be -A blood? But it’s not it’s +A
We’re not able to give medical advice. Please consult a physician.
I was told i cannot donate plasma due to being rh negative is there anywere i can donate
Giving plasma has nothing to do with Rh + vs -. However, Rh Neg types are each used and needed differently. It would be fantastic if you could ask how your blood type can be best used when they make your appointment.
Hey i guess i have a rear type of blood which is AB rh negative ! Is there something i should know about?
You can learn more about being AB- here: http://www.carterbloodcare.org/blood-facts/blood-types/ab-negative/
I am O+ Rh-
Is this a rare blood type? I always had to have the rhogam shot after each of my 5 pregnancies.
38% of people are O+.
I’m interested in giving blood but was worried that I can’t because of my blood type. I am rh negative and would like more info please.
We accept donations from all blood types!
I have AB neg blood my hubby O positive fortunately my first pregnancy have a baby with A neg blood .Is any problems occur in second pregnency
We’re unable to give medical advice. Please consult a physician.
What does it mean when I’m AB+ rh-
If you’re AB+, then you’re Rh positive. The – or + after your type indicate the Rh factor.
am O positive how will i know that am either rh negative or positive
You’re Rh positive. (Each blood type is a letter followed by the Rh type.)
I’m rh0- also an only one of my 5 babies have my rh negative blood type an oddly she has autism. I’m wondering if its possible that my blood type an the shot may be partly to blame or my body????
Please consult a physician. We are not able to provide medical advice.
Hello. I am O+ and my mother is O-. I am the second child born to her, before the RhoGAM injection was available. I was born jaundiced with yellow skin and eyes. According to my mom, while the doctors tried to decide whether or not to give me a blood transfusion, I was placed under lights in the nursery. I was not given a blood transfusion, but was given iron supplements for most of my childhood. Are there studies showing negative future effects of this blood factor problem?
Please consult a physician. We are not able to provide medical advice.
I am rh negative I got all my shits with all preganacys. When my daughter was born they told me she to was rh negative. They kept her a few extra days in the hospital to make sure our blood did not mix. All her life I was under the impression she had the same blood type as me until at too became a mother. She was tested for her unborn child and they said her blood type was rh positive. I told them what happened when she was born and they have no answers as to how or why her rh factor changed. Or could it have just been an error in one of the testing of either her at birth or her at adult. Either way the answer I may never know. I do want to know if this has happened to anybody else. And can your blood change like that if it wasn’t a mistake. I am very confused 😕
Please consult a physician. We are not able to provide medical advice.
I’m Rho-, what kind of health related issues could I get or will it effect me at all?
You’ll need to consult a physician. We are unable to give medical advice.
Iam o- and rh-. Are u automatically rh- if ur blood type is -? My son is o- aswell is he rh- aswell?
Yes, those with O-, A-, B-, and AB- are Rh negative.
hi what and how do u donate plasma ? and what would it be used for please ? just wondering lol … I am “o-” ( I have 2 kids 1 is “o+” boy and 2 is “a-” girl) would my girl still have the issue I had ( only with my boy) because she is negative even though she is “a” not “o” thanks 😁
We welcome plasma donors at any of our donor centers! We’d be happy to help you make one if you’d like.
Dear,
My blood group is O negative from birth. I had first miscarriage, second healthy baby with B negative (my spouse ifs B positive). Third as well miscarriage and now I am 10 weeks pregnant. I did took Anti-D shot after my third miscarriage. Now I took my blood test as per routine checkup and its showing my blood group as B-ve.
Can the blood group change from O-ve to B-ve during Pregnancy ? Is there any problem for worrying ?
Please consult a pysician. We are not able to give medical advice.
With my first pregnancy the doctor office did a blood test in office and told me I was A-. Then after the birth of my daughter they apparently typed my blood again and said I was A+. Which led them to take more blood to test.
Finally the senior lab tech told me that I had the RH antigen, however I have fewer of them present on the outside of my blood cells than is average.
What I don’t know is what that means? Am I A- or A+
Thanks
We’re unable to provide medical advice. Please consult a physician.
If RH negative blood is so rare they call it the golden blood . Why does it seem so many of these comments are made by RH negative ppl? I myself and my daughter also are RH negative
About 15% of the population is Rh-. Since this is a post specifically about Rh-, I’d assume that’s why! And you do have golden blood!
i am a rh negative i would like for you to email me for some answers to some questions i will not state here please respond soon!!!
Shane – how can we help you?
This is a great explanation. Growing up I remember my mom telling me that when she was pregnant with me (I’m the oldest), the doctor asked her sort of panicking “what’s your husband’s blood type?” She was A-. My dad was in the military so of course she knew, it was stamped on his dog tags. She said “A-“. The doctor’s response was “no, not yours, his?” “A-“, she said again. All of the panic left his voice and he said “Oh, good. You have nothing to worry about”. This was 1963, so RhoGAM wasn’t an option.
Article is well written however in many articles such as this they do not point out that it requires both parents blood types to determine whether the Anti D shot is required. From my understanding when both mother and father are rhesus – (such as in our case) then the injection is not required. It is only required if the mother has been transfused during birth with rhesus positive blood due to lack of supple which is rare. Even in Thai situation you can still have a normal pregnancy without anti D so long as the baby does not loose blood due to rare complications or medical procedures/exams which cause tears.
Thanks for the feedback, Kelly!
I have not been able to get a definitive answer about my blood type. Some places say I’m rh+, but then others say I’m rh-. One nurse said it started out negative and almost a minute later, it turned positive??? Where should I go, or what should I ask for to get a definitive answer?
If you donate with us, we can let you know your type within the week.
I am rh negative can I donate plasma
Please give us a call at 817-412-5830 and we can see if you’d be a good candidate!
My medical paper work says RH factor is AB positive. What does that mean? Am I AB positive?
That’s correct!
Can a man with O- and a woman with O+ have babies without any problem?
Please consult a physician. We are not able to give medical advice.
IF BOTH me and my spouse have RH NEGATIVE blood….
(Question #1)
Does this mean all our kids will have RH negative blood too?
(Question#3)
Can people with RH negative blood still carry RH positive genes?
We cannot give medical advice. Please consult a physician.
Hi,
I have A positive blood with antibodies. Is it possible to be A positive AND RH negative? Do A positive blood types need the injection?
Alanna – a person cannot have both positive and negative Rh. All donors are A, B, AB, or O and then + or -.
I’m A- with rh factor. I know that I can give blood to anyone in need whether they match my type or not I just can’t receive any unless it’s an exact match. In that I was curious if a person with my blood type can donate stem cells the same way whether they match my blood type or not?
Kim – STEM cells are a little easier to match and are often dependent on the donor/recipient’s ethnicity.
I have had two blood tests. They know that I am type O but are having a hard time determining my rh factor so are labelling me as negative. I am very much okay with this and not panicking. It is more of a curiosity… have you heard of this happening? What could be the cause?
Steph – that’s strange! When you give with us, we can give you your blood type within a few days!
I have r h a negative blood. Is it dangerous for me to have this type? I was told I have alien blood lol. Is that just a myth? I am very healthy at 69. Only high blood pressure. Should I worry about anything?
It’s definitely not “alien blood”, but you do have a more rare type! No need to worry.
Hi,
My wife and I just had a miscarriage. We were told it is likely because my wife is rh- and the baby was rh+. She was 14 weeks along when the miscarriage happened. This is her first baby (mine to) known to us. She has pcos (officially) so it’s technically possible that during our 4 years of trying to conceive, that she conceived but we didn’t actually know about it due to a missing period being rather common in pcos.
I’m concerned if she was supposed to be tested for rh type during our first visit and if she was tested for it and they knew she was rh- but didn’t test me or treat her with immunoglobin that they may have made a mistake.. Or an oversight?
It seems if I’m understanding everything correctly it would have been best to treat the rh- as soon as it was known, given the pcos condition and that having a possibility we had an unknown pregnancy.
Thoughts?
If you have questions on this, please consult your OB/GYN!
Hiya, if you are O neg, does that instantly make you rhesus negative or are they 2 separate blood types? I am rhesus O neg, but wondered if I am rhesus neg because I’m O neg or is this another factor on top? Thanks
O- means you are rhesus negative!
Hi, I have O- blood. With my first pregnancy i didn’t get the shot during of after birth. My baby girl’s blood group also turned out to be O-. I’m now 33 weeks along in my second pregnancy and also didn’t receive the shot. Should this worry me because we can’t know if this baby is also O-.
Please consult your OB/GYN on this. We are not able to give medical advice.
If I’m A- and My partner is A- does that guarantee we will have A- children?
Please consult your OB/GYN. We are not able to give medical advice.
Is it possible to be B+ with an RH negative factor or would you have to be B- if you know you have the RH negative factor?
The (+) or (-) indicates your Rhesus factor!
I don’t know my actual blood type, but I do know that I have the RH Negative factor. Does this mean that my blood type is A-?
Yes! The (-) indicates your Rhesus.
I want to know how I have AB positive Rh negative blood type??? Someone help me explain this.
Where did you hear this, Gg?
My blood group is A+. Can the Rh factor be predicted by knowing it? If yes then what is my Rh factor?
Your Rh factor is positive if you’re A+.
Pls, am Rh- woman and I married Rh- man. Is there any need of taking Rhogam when I give birth?
Secondly, has it any implications on breastfeeding of our children?
Please consult a physician. We are not able to give medical advice.
Does O rh negative and O null mean the same thing? If not how can you find out if you are O null?
O negative is O Rh negative.
I am O- and my husband is O+. We were never able to conceive. If we had, would there have been complications due to our blood types and my rh factor?
Please consult a physician. We are not able to give medical advice.
Hi!:) I’m Rh- and my husband Rh- too, does that mean that our baby will be Rh- as well or there is a chance having Rh+ and still will be needed a shot?
P.S. I’m not pregnant though:) just want to know for future 😂
Please consult a physician. We are not able to give medical advice.
Hi! My blood is A- and my daughter’s blood is O negative. Is her blood the rarest? Thanks
AB- is actually the rarest blood type!
I have a read a Paper which incidently has not been verified, that there’s a possibility that a blood type A person has more chance of being infected by the Corona virus than a Person with blood type O. Is there anyway that could be a possibility?
We haven’t seen research stating this, but will look into it.
What would happen if a person with A+ blood was given Rhogam?
Please consult a physician. We are not able to give medical advice.
I’m 0 rh positive so that makes me 0+ right??
Correct!
Hi My blood type is O+ So does that mean that I should be taking the shots when I get pregnant?
We cannot give medical advice. Please consult a physician.
I do not know my blood-type. Only that, I am RH neg . Does this make me automatically an A or B blood-type?
You are A, B, AB, or O and then, beyond that, you are Rh negative or positive.
I have an old Wadley Blood Bank card that’s shows my blood type as A (no negative or positive) and I do know I am Rh negative and have had the Rhogam shot. Does that mean my blood type is A-?
Yes, that means you are A-.
Thank you for the informative article and kudos for being so patient with the comments/questions. Everyone who can, should donate blood. I donated at my local blood bank yesterday, and not just for the shirt😁
I am A positive rhesus negative. Is this a rare blood type?
It is rare! About 6% of the population has A- blood!
Mercy
Thanks for the information on Rh factor, people’s questions and your answers. It’s very informative.
My blood type is A- would that make me Rh- ?
It does!
I am A-. I also have Lupus and antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. All my children are positive. Should I be concerned with finding a blood donor? Should I consider storing my own blood? My mother has passed and my father has severe medical issues. Not sure he could be a donor if needed. He has hepatitis.
Jocelyn – please consult your physician. We aren’t able to give medical advice.