Pearl,

Further to what Patricia wrote about blood circulation being separate to
baby's digestive tract, I would like to add that the problem with Rh+ baby
and Rh- mum is the baby's blood getting into mum's system where she can
form anti-Rh antibodies. These have the potential for affecting a
subsequent Rh+ baby. The injections of anti-Rh(D) (I guess that what Rhogam
is) are given to "mop up" any stray Rh+ baby red cells that have made their
way into mum's system, most commonly during delivery. I can see no risk of
sensitization from mum's bleeding nipples - this is mum's blood - it is
baby's blood in mum's system that is the problem with Rh disease. I hope
she got anti-Rh(D) straight *after* delivery of this baby. I'm not sure
about the latest on giving during pregnancy.(11+ years ago I used to work
as a Medical Technologist at the Blood Transfusion Service here in Perth,
Western Australia, and used to have to test Rh- mums and their babies to
see if they should be given anti-Rh(D) after delivery.)

I hope this brief description makes this issue clearer. The bottom line is
that the mum should not be concerned about the Rh difference here (*unless*
the baby wants in the future to donate blood for the mum. Now that would be
a problem.  ;-) )

I have also just read what Katherine wrote about this. I don't think the
mother's anti-Rh(D) from the Rhogam would be enough to have an effect in
the baby, if mother's blood mixed in baby's circulation. The *big* problem
is baby's blood in mum's circulation.

Joy Anderson IBCLC (and Graduate Diploma in Medical Technology)
Perth, Western Australia
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