RhD immunoglobulin (Anti-D) is a product which is given to RhD Negative women during pregnancy to minimise the risk of developing these antibodies. Your doctor or midwife has indicated that you should receive this product.

Why am I having this injection?

Everyone has one of four blood types (A, B, AB or O). Your blood type is then further sorted into being either positive or negative. This determines if you have a protein known as ‘D Antigen’ on the surface of your red blood cells. The technical term for this is your ‘Rhesus Factor’. If your blood is RhD Negative and your baby is RhD Positive, you can produce antibodies towards your baby’s RhD positive cells (known as Anti-D antibodies). These antibodies can cause negative impacts on your baby’s health.

Anti-D is made from blood collected from Australian blood donors and is free for you. It has been shown to be a safe and reliable product. Your doctor or midwife will give you a prescription for Anti D and they will direct you where to go to collect this product.

Anti-D is given as an injection, usually at 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy (or at other times if your doctor or midwife think it will benefit you). You must book in with your doctor or midwife for the injection to be given. Before the injections, the bottle of Anti-D must be kept refrigerated. A record is kept of the specific bottle issued to you; it is important you receive the correct bottle.

If you have questions about Anti-D, you should ask your doctor or midwife.

How will I get my Anti-D Prescription filled?

This prescription can only be filled at ACT Pathology located at the Canberra Hospital in Garran. When you arrive, the pathology reception staff will take your prescription and check that all the appropriate details are present on the form.

You will be asked to take a seat and wait for the prescription to be filled. This is usually a simple task and usually takes no longer than 15 minutes. Sometimes the wait may be longer because the Transfusion Laboratory provides blood and blood products, priority is given to emergency and/or trauma patients. ACT Pathology apologises for this inconvenience.

When we process your Anti-D prescription; product details like the batch number and expiry date are recorded against your name in the computer. A final report will be printed and at the counter you will be asked to sight the name on this report and sign for the product.

Take the Anti-D to your doctor or midwife for your injection. If you are attending a clinic within the hospital for immediate injection the product may be transported at room temperature. If the anti-D is to be administered outside of the hospital, please let the laboratory know and we will pack the product for cold transport.

Please come to:

ACT Pathology

Building 10 (next to Centenary Hospital for Women and Children)
Main Laboratory, Level 2
The Canberra Hospital, Gilmore Cres, Garran
Open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm
Phone: (02) 5124 2993