Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
When an Rh-negative mother is pregnant with an Rh-positive baby, the baby's Rh-positive blood cells may enter the mother's bloodstream during pregnancy, childbirth, or even after a miscarriage or abortion. When this happens, the mother's immune system may recognize the Rh-positive blood cells as foreign invaders and produce antibodies against them. This process is called sensitization.
The first pregnancy between an Rh-negative mother and an Rh-positive baby usually does not have any serious complications. However, during delivery, the baby's blood may mix with the mother's blood, leading to sensitization. The mother's immune system then produces antibodies against the Rh-positive blood cells of the baby, which can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). In this condition, the antibodies attack the baby's red blood cells, causing them to break down and leading to anemia, jaundice, and in severe cases, brain damage or death.
During the second pregnancy, the antibodies produced in the first pregnancy can cross the placenta and attack the Rh-positive fetus, leading to more severe HDN. Therefore, it's crucial to monitor the mother's Rh status during pregnancy and administer Rh immune globulin to prevent sensitization in future pregnancies. This treatment helps to prevent the mother's immune system from producing antibodies against the Rh-positive blood cells of the baby.