Let’s talk about something many people don't know about: Rhesus factor (Rh factor). 🩸

We often hear people say, “Check your genotype before marriage,” and that's very important.

But genotype isn't the only thing you should know.

You should also know your blood group and Rhesus factor.

1. What is Rhesus factor?

Your blood group can be A, B, AB or O.

But there is another thing called the Rhesus factor, which is either positive (+) or negative (-).

So you can be:

A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+ or AB-.

The + or - is your Rhesus factor.

2. Where does the problem come in?

Rhesus incompatibility becomes important mainly when a woman is Rh-negative and the father is Rh-positive.

For example, a woman who is O- and a man who is O+.

Their pregnancy may be at risk of Rh incompatibility if the baby inherits the positive Rh factor from the father.

3. Why can this happen?

During pregnancy, the mother's blood and the baby's blood are usually separated.

But sometimes fetal blood can enter the mother's bloodstream, especially during events such as childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, bleeding or certain procedures.

If an Rh-negative woman is exposed to Rh-positive fetal blood, her immune system can become sensitized and produce antibodies against Rh-positive blood.

4. Why is sensitization a problem?

The first pregnancy may not always be seriously affected, but once the mother has developed these antibodies, they can remain in her body.

In a subsequent pregnancy with an Rh-positive baby, those antibodies can cross the placenta and attack the baby's red blood cells.

This can cause haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, which can be serious.

5. Does being Rh-negative mean you can't marry an Rh-positive person?

Absolutely not.

This is important. ❤️

Rh-negative women can have healthy pregnancies with Rh-positive partners.

There are preventive treatments, such as anti-D (Rh immunoglobulin), that can help prevent sensitization when given at the appropriate time.

So this is not something to panic about.

It is something to know about and discuss with a healthcare professional.

6. And this is why I think young women should know their blood group and Rh factor.

Don't wait until you're married or pregnant before finding out.

And please, if you are sexually active and become pregnant, don't handle pregnancy or abortion care casually.

If you have an abortion, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, significant bleeding or any pregnancy-related procedure, tell the healthcare provider your blood group if you know it, and ask whether you need Rh immunoglobulin if you are Rh-negative.

Please don't secretly take medications or undergo an unsafe abortion because you are afraid or trying to hide the pregnancy.

Your health matters.

Young girls, please be careful. ❤️

Know your body. Know your genotype. Know your blood group and Rhesus factor. And when you have an unintended pregnancy or pregnancy complication, seek proper medical care.

Sometimes, knowing one small thing about your body early enough can make a very big difference later in life.