Hi! I'm currently in nursing school and hope I can help!
For first time mothers who are "negative" (A-, O- etc.) they administer RhoGam so that your blood doesn't interfere with the babies and ultimately attack itself. If this is after your first pregnancy, they can be testing to see if the antibodies from your first pregnancy are still present, and again, won't fight itself, or the babies blood.
It's nothing to worry about, don't get nervous!
Good luck with your caesarean!
Hi, is this you first baby? So exciting!! I am sure you are excited and scared at the same time!
So, did they do an Rh antibody test in your first trimester? That's usually when that is done. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/The-Rh-Factor-How-It-Can-Affect-Your-Pregnancy. This is the antibody screening test that detects if a mom has antibodies present. If baby and mom aren't compatible, it poses a problem and they give two shots usually (28 weeks and after birth) to combat that.
But blood work like this is routine before a c section. While it is done all the time and is routine, it's also major surgery. :>) So, they also want to check for infection. So, this could be what they are referring to as well.
They will do a whole CBC count and check your platelets and electrolytes as well. They just want to be ready. AND, you can always ask the doctor or lab when you get the blood work done. Let us know what they say and how it goes!!
They usually do a screen to ensure that you don't have any antibodies that conflict with your baby's antibodies - mostly due to blood type. It's a routine test. You can find out more about it here:
https://www.webmd.com/baby/antibody-testing