Rhesus factor is not the major cause of miscarriage. However, if a woman is Rh-negative and her partner is Rh-positive, their baby may inherit the Rh-positive blood type. In such cases, the mother's immune system may recognize the Rh-positive blood cells as foreign and produce antibodies against them. This is called Rh sensitization.
If the mother becomes pregnant with another Rh-positive baby, her immune system may attack and destroy the baby's blood cells, potentially causing a miscarriage or other complications.
However, Rh sensitization can be prevented with a series of injections called Rh immunoglobulin, or RhIg. This injection prevents the mother's immune system from producing antibodies against the baby's blood cells and reduces the risk of complications in future pregnancies.
Step-by-step solution:
1. Rhesus factor is not the major cause of miscarriage: It's important to understand that Rhesus factor is not the major cause of miscarriage.
2. Rh sensitization can cause complications: If a woman is Rh-negative and her partner is Rh-positive, their baby may inherit the Rh-positive blood type. If the mother's immune system recognizes the Rh-positive blood cells as foreign, it may produce antibodies against them, leading to Rh sensitization.
3. Complications can occur in future pregnancies: If the mother becomes pregnant with another Rh-positive baby, her immune system may attack and destroy the baby's blood cells, potentially causing a miscarriage or other complications.
4. Rh immunoglobulin can prevent complications: Rh sensitization can be prevented with a series of injections called Rh immunoglobulin, or RhIg. This injection prevents the mother's immune system from producing antibodies against the baby's blood cells and reduces the risk of complications in future pregnancies.