Certain things cross the placenta from infant to mother during pregnancy, such as red blood cells. During a woman’s first few prenatal visits, it is common for an Oregon obstetrician (OB) to order bloodwork. The average OB can tell a lot about the health of a mother and her unborn baby by reviewing the results of a blood test. If an OB fails to diagnose a potentially high-risk medical condition, either the mother’s or baby’s health could be in danger.
Every person has a particular blood type that includes an Rh factor, which is commonly referred to as ”negative” or ” positive” blood. If a mother has a negative Rh but her baby’s blood is positive, an OB must closely monitor the situation and be prepared to take action to protect the baby’s health. This is because a mother’s body will sometimes produce antibodies against the baby’s blood, which can then cross the placenta and destroy the baby’s red blood cells.
This condition is known as Rh incompatibility in pregnancy
The DNA of an unborn child can be found in the blood of the mother. This means that a pregnant woman can take a blood test to determine if she and her unborn child have different Rh factors that may lead to incompatibility issues. An OB has several options available to help keep the mother and baby safe in such circumstances.
If an Oregon OB fails to diagnose Rh incompatibility, it can cause severe birth injuries and may even place a newborn’s life at risk. It is important to be as informed as possible during pregnancy, especially if a woman knows ahead of time that she has a negative Rh factor blood type. If a birth injury occurs because of a failure to diagnose an adverse health condition, there are options available to seek justice in court, which may include requesting compensation for damages.