What happened before the RhIg (RhImmune Globulin) injection was developed?
Prior to development of the injection, Rh-negative mothers would often become sensitized from the blood of their first Rh-positive baby and begin developing anti-Rh antibodies. Any subsequent Rh-positive babies would have some degree of Rh disease, due to the mother’s anti-Rh antibodies attacking the baby’s RBCs. Miscarriages and stillborn babies were relatively common, and those babies who were born often needed immediate blood transfusions to survive. The injection has largely prevented these complications, although a small percent of women do still develop Rh antibodies.
