Third trimester screening effective in Rhesus c-negative pregnant women with previous pregnancies

Third trimester screening for blood group antibodies in Rhesus c-negative pregnant women offers substantial health benefits for the (unborn) child while posing minimal disadvantages. The Health Council of the Netherlands concludes that this repeat screening is effective and worthwhile—but not in first pregnancies. The likelihood of blood group antibodies forming later in pregnancy is negligible during a first pregnancy, making repeat screening unnecessary in those cases. Therefore, the Health Council of the Netherlands recommends offering third trimester screening only to Rhesus c-negative women who have been pregnant before.