When should Rh (D) blood typing and antibody testing be performed on pregnant women?

Performing Rh (D) blood typing and antibody testing during the first pregnancy visit is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, establishing the Rh status of the mother early in pregnancy helps identify women who may be at risk for Rh incompatibility. If a mother is Rh negative and the fetus is Rh positive, this can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn in subsequent pregnancies if not managed properly.

Early testing allows for timely interventions, such as administering Rh immunoglobulin (Rho(D) immune globulin), if the mother is Rh negative, to prevent the formation of antibodies against Rh positive blood. This preventative measure is typically done around 28 weeks of gestation but is decided upon based on the initial blood type determination and any sensitization history.

Timing the testing to the first visit ensures that any potential complications can be addressed immediately, providing better outcomes for both the mother and the baby. By contrast, waiting until later in pregnancy or after childbirth would significantly delay necessary interventions that could protect fetal health.