This guideline is very relevant to us. Nothing has really changed, but it reiterates best practice. It applies to non-sensitised women (ie who don’t have anti-D antibodies on their booking bloods):
When would we need to give it?
Most of the time (eg terminations / evacuation of products etc), anti-D will be given in secondary care. The following times may require us to give it / organise it. If in doubt, check:
- Miscarriages – threatened, complete or incomplete miscarriage after 12/40, or where there is heavy or repeated bleeding just before 12/40. NB – you don’t have to give it under 12/40 for a complete miscarriage where no intervention has been required, as the risk of sensitisation is low.
- Abdominal trauma – any abdominal trauma at any gestation
- Recurrent bleeding after 20/40 (though I would have expected these women to be in secondary care).
- Routine prophylaxis (28/40 and 34/40 – their antibodies are checked at 28/40)