Blood groups: Marriage is an enormous part of life – it is a life changing experience, and emotional compatibility is extremely important, but neglecting one’s health considerations should not happen either. One big (and often neglected) aspect of health is blood group compatibility. While blood group won’t directly affect the couple’s bond/relationship. It can be a key component to their future pregnancies, children, and overall health.
Blood groups can be classified as A, B, AB, or O, and then the Rh factor (positive or negative). Blood groups that do not match are unlikely to affect daily life, until they do become a potential concern throughout pregnancy. A viable concern may arise if a woman is Rh-negative, and her husband is Rh-positive, and the baby is born Rh-positive as a result of A;s genetic transmission.
There are some advantages to checking blood groups ahead of marriage:
Prevent a potential future Rh Incompatibility – If an Rh-negative mother is pregnant with an Rh- positive baby. Her immune system may react by attacking the baby’s new/foreign red blood cells as if they were an infection. This reaction can result in hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), which causes loss of red blood cells. Preventing red blood cells from transporting oxygen, which can lead to positive HDN complications, presenting as anemia and jaundice.
Ensuring safe blood transfusions – While we all hope to never end up in the emergency room, knowing a partner’s blood type can allow medical professionals to quickly take whatever measures are needed in an emergency.
Also Read: Do Mosquitoes Attract Based on Blood Groups?
Screening for Genetic Illnesses – certain genetic conditions that affect blood, such as sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia, can pass onto offspring. Knowledge of blood group genetic conditions can provide couples with helpful information as they plan their family.
If a couple in a relationship chooses to remain together and discovers their blood types to be incompatible, there are medical management options :
Anti-D Injection, this injection is given to all Rh-negative mothers during pregnancy to prevent any complications.
Prenatal Management: There will be regular prenatal visits throughout pregnancy to monitor the health of the baby and detect any effects or issues.
Genetic Counselling: Genetic counselling provides couples with an opportunity to explore whether either partner has inherited genetic illnesses.
Also read: Can Your Blood Type Influence COVID-19 Severity? Check your type now
While blood group testing is not legally required to marry. It is certainly in couples best interest to ask, for the sake of general health and pregnancy. Knowing about blood type compatibility will assist couples in feeling better prepared to embark on their next chapter together. To make informed decisions that will lead to supporting healthy families in spite of blood group genetic conditions. So too
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