Patient's question:
Ask the doctor, is blood type related to pregnancy? I am type A blood, my husband is type O, will it affect fertility?Doctor's answer:
Hao Hao, hello! First of all, I wish you the best of luck in getting pregnant with a healthy baby soon! Now, let me talk to you about the topic of "Blood Type and Fertility." The relationship between blood type and a child's health is a concern that many couples often have. If the mother and child have incompatible blood types, the antibodies in the mother's body can enter the baby's body through the placenta, leading to neonatal hemolytic disease. It is reported that in all deliveries, there is approximately a 20-30% chance of maternal and child blood type incompatibility, meaning that children born to these mothers may develop neonatal hemolytic disease. In contrast, less than 10% of parents undergo prenatal blood serology tests at the hospital. Neonatal hemolytic disease is caused by incompatibility between the blood types of the couple, and since blood type incompatibility between couples is quite common, neonatal hemolytic disease is also very common. Although the incidence rate of neonatal hemolytic disease accounts for about 10% of maternal and child blood type incompatibility, the possible consequences can be extremely serious. Hemolytic babies are prone to anemia and jaundice. The symptoms of hemolytic disease can range from mild to severe. Under normal circumstances, children will begin to show a certain degree of jaundice starting from the second day after birth. The mother will notice a lemon-yellow discoloration on the baby's face, chest, or abdomen. By the fourth to sixth day, the jaundice will become more severe, reaching a small peak. Around the tenth day after birth, the yellow color will gradually fade and return to normal, as the antibodies from the mother's body are consumed daily, leading to gradual improvement in symptoms. If jaundice appears within 24 hours after birth, progresses rapidly, and even spreads to the entire body, changing from light yellow to golden yellow or orange, it should be taken with sufficient caution. When hemolysis is severe, the child may develop anemia, or even "kernicterus," also known as bilirubin encephalopathy. This is caused by bilirubin, a substance produced after the destruction of red blood cells, entering the brain, leading to sequelae such as limb disability, visual impairment, deafness, poor tooth development, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. This is the most serious consequence. During hemolysis, in addition to jaundice, anemia and hepatosplenomegaly may also occur. If not treated promptly, it can affect the child's healthy development. However, in general, ABO blood type hemolysis symptoms are mild, and most children do not require special treatment after birth. As long as blue light treatment and medication are administered promptly, the child's condition can be alleviated. Even with severe Rh hemolytic disease, if blood exchange is performed in time, the vast majority of babies can recover. Additionally, jaundice in a baby does not necessarily indicate hemolytic disease. Approximately 80% of newborns may develop jaundice, but only a small portion of this is caused by hemolysis. Similarly, hemolytic babies do not necessarily exhibit the above symptoms, and some children may not even realize that their blood type is different from their parents until they grow up. Infants with an O-type mother and an AB-type father are most prone to this condition. According to reports, the causes of neonatal hemolytic disease are mainly divided into two types: ABO blood type incompatibility and Rh blood type incompatibility. In China, the most common type is ABO blood type incompatibility, especially when the mother has an O-type blood and the father is AB-type. This is because children born to parents with these blood types are either A-type or B-type, making them more prone to hemolytic disease. Although the fetus relies on the mother for nutrition within the womb, there is a "placental barrier" between the mother and fetus, which protects the blood of the mother and child from "intermingling." However, a small number of red blood cells from the infant can still seep into the maternal circulation, leading to the production of antibodies. A small amount of maternal blood may also enter the fetus's body. Generally, the mother is not affected by hemolysis, but the two different blood types in the child's body may "clash," causing hemolytic disease. Of course, not all children with blood type incompatibility between the mother and child will experience this "clash." After the child is born, the antibodies from the mother's blood will be metabolized and depleted within a certain period, and the child will soon recover. Therefore, O-type expectant mothers can still become pregnant and give birth. However, some more severe forms of hemolysis may lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. If young couples experience repeated miscarriages or stillbirths for no apparent reason, they should consider whether hemolysis is a contributing factor. The other type of hemolytic disease occurs when there is incompatibility between the Rh blood types of the mother and child. This condition is less common in the Han Chinese population. Pay close attention to both prenatal and postnatal stages. If the expectant father has A-type, B-type, or AB-type blood, and the expectant mother has O-type blood with a history of miscarriage or blood transfusion, it is important to monitor the newborn for anemia and the timing and severity of jaundice, and not to confuse it with jaundice or anemia caused by other reasons, to avoid delaying treatment. If there is a possibility of ABO blood type incompatibility, the expectant mother should undergo a "prenatal blood serology test" before pregnancy to check the status of antibodies in the blood. If the antibodies have a "low activity," the expectant parents can feel at ease about having a child. If the antibodies have a "high activity," some medications can be used to reduce them. Many hospitals in Hangzhou now offer corresponding herbal treatments for this purpose. The main goal of this is to reduce the "harmful effect" of the mother's antibodies. If the expectant mother is already pregnant, she should remember to start regular blood tests from around the 16th week of pregnancy, usually once every four weeks, to closely monitor whether the baby may develop hemolysis. If any abnormalities are detected, treatment during pregnancy can be effective. For expectant parents with different Rh blood types, the first pregnancy is usually not a problem. However, if there has been a history of miscarriage or childbirth, it is essential to check the mother's Rh antibodies. If the antibodies are positive with a strong "activity," pregnancy should be avoided, as the risk of stillbirth or severe neonatal hemolytic disease would be significantly higher. Excerpted from (China's National Committee for Maternal and Child Health) If you find this answer satisfactory, please do not disappoint me with my good intentions and click "Accept as Answer" promptly.