Can white blood cells attack a fetus?

White blood cells can attack a fetus. That being said. It generally does not happen because pregnancy is a semi-immunosuppressive state. This is partially why pregnant women are so vulnerable to getting sick while they are carrying. read more

Hi! White blood cells can attack a fetus. That being said. It generally does not happen because pregnancy is a semi-immunosuppressive state. This is partially why pregnant women are so vulnerable to getting sick while they are carrying. There are even certain disease that infect everyone, but ONLY cause problems in pregnant women (hepatitis E). read more

This can result in anemia and/or jaundice in the baby. In severe cases, some babies need a blood transfusion in the uterus. The m/w has assured me that I'm ok and I shouldn't worry. I just have to let them know if I have a fall or if I bleed (in which case baby's blood could cross with mine). If this happens I would have to have an anti-d injection. read more

If you and your baby are both Rh negative or Rh positive, no harmful effects will occur. However, if you are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, your body can react to the baby's blood as if it were a foreign substance. Your immune system can make antibodies that can cross the placenta and attack the baby's red blood cells. read more