Here's why you should know your blood type compatibility before marriage if you want to have a baby

Does blood compatibility affect pregnancy? 

Because of the Rh factor, there are some blood types that are not compatible for pregnancy. The Rh factor is an inherited protein, meaning that they get it from their parents and pass it to their children. Although being Rh positive or negative does not impact a person's health as a person, it can affect youth pregnancy. 

Biological mothers may become concerned with the Rh factor if the mother is Rh- and the baby is Rh+. This is because blood cells from an Rh+ baby crossing its Rh- mother’s bloodstream might trigger an immune response.

More so, the mother’s body might form antibodies to attack the baby’s Rh+ red blood cells. For instance, a blood group A positive child will have their immune system attacked by the antibodies formed by the mother’s Rh- cells as a defence measure. With this understanding, the doctor suggests a blood type and Rh factor screening at the first visit during prenatal. If a mother is an A+ blood group, the doctor will further conduct a test to determine the child's Rh. He/she will also test if the pregnant mother's body has formed antibodies to fight the child's body cells. 

Although there is no blood exchange between a mother and the child during pregnancy, there is a high risk during delivery. In blood group compatibility issues due to Rh presence, the plasma will form antibodies to fight that of the child.

Usually, there are no problems that arise during the first pregnancy; the antibodies formed during the first pregnancy will hardly affect the child. A problem arises with subsequent pregnancies. 

Suppose the first pregnancy has Rh incompatibility with the child, and the subsequent pregnancies had the same problem. In that case, there is a likelihood that the antibodies formed will damage the child's body cells. The doctor will have to prescribe a medical procedure that will help protect the child.

Advice

It is good practice to know your blood type as well as the blood type of your partner before marriage. If you are not compatible, it will be easy for you to remind your doctor to perform necessary tests when you are pregnant in order to protect your baby in case it is needed.