When is Rh (D) antibody testing repeated for unsensitized Rh-negative women?

Rh (D) antibody testing is an important part of prenatal care for Rh-negative women. The standard practice is to repeat this testing around 24-28 weeks' gestation. The purpose of this timing is to ensure that any potential sensitization or development of Rh antibodies is monitored adequately as the pregnancy progresses.

Rh-negative mothers are at risk of producing antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells if their fetus is Rh-positive. This risk becomes more significant in the second and third trimesters, so checking antibodies at this stage allows for timely intervention if the mother begins to show signs of sensitization.

Conducting the test at this time also aligns with guidelines from health organizations, ensuring that maternal-fetal medicine is optimized to prevent complications such as hemolytic disease of the newborn. This window allows for any necessary medical interventions, such as administering Rh immunoglobulin, to be performed before delivery, thereby safeguarding both the mother and baby’s health.