What does Rh factor incompatibility involve?

Rh factor incompatibility specifically occurs when a pregnant woman has Rh-negative blood while her fetus has Rh-positive blood inherited from the father. This situation arises because the mother's immune system may recognize the Rh-positive blood cells of the fetus as foreign and may produce antibodies against them. This immune response can potentially lead to complications such as hemolytic disease of the newborn, where the antibodies cross the placenta and attack the fetal red blood cells.

The dynamics of blood types emphasize the significance of this incompatibility. In cases where the mother is Rh-positive, there is no risk of incompatibility, regardless of the fetus's Rh status, making it crucial to identify when the mother is Rh-negative with an Rh-positive fetus to monitor and provide appropriate care.