Does blood type matter in marriage?

Many people across the globe believe that blood type is an indicator of everything from personality to marriage compatibility.

In some societies, blood type compatibility is used to determine the suitability of partners to get married. There are others who associate blood types with specific personality traits. However, it must be noted that these associations are not backed or supported by any recognised clinical research.

Before delving into detail, let me touch briefly on different types of blood groups;

 BLOOD GROUP

Everybody has a blood type and there are four main blood groups which are –A, B, AB, and O. The ABO system is based on the presence or absence of antigens that can trigger an immune response.

In addition to the four groups, a protein called Rh factor may be either present (+, or absent (-) within each group. This further divides blood group into eight common types.

Blood group compatibility and marriage.

Marrying someone with a different blood should not deter you from getting hitched to your soul mate. Blood incapability does not have any effect on the ability to have and successfully maintain an enjoyable and healthier marriage life.

All blood groups are compatible for marriages. There is no problem for you to marry a partner with the same blood type/grouping as yourself. The only worry should be the Rhesus factor antigens which may be an obstacle during blood transfusion and during child delivery. In other words, blood group compatibility for marriage is mostly limited to Rh factor incompatibility, during pregnancy and blood transfusion between couples.

Everyone is born with a certain blood type that is either Rh-positive or Rh-negative. Rh positive is more common than Rh negative.  So it is very important for a couple to get their blood type checked before getting married or having a baby, as it can determine the health of the child.  Knowing blood group compatibility may also be necessary during blood transfusions, especially in emergencies such as accidents and surgeries.

What is Rh Incompatibility

As stated above, even though a difference in blood groups does not affect the couple it could become a problem while trying to conceive. Rh factor is an inherited protein, and so being Rh negative (-) or Rh positive is determined by your parents. Complications might occur when the mother is Rh negative while the baby is Rh positive. This mismatch in blood type is often referred to as Rh incompatibility.

For example, a woman is at risk when she has a negative Rh factor (example O-) and the husband has a positive Rh factor (example O+). The combination of the different Rh factors can produce a child who is Rh-positive. So for instance, if a mother does not have the Rh factor but the baby is Rh positive, this can raise complications which can affect the baby’s health.

While the mother’s and baby’s blood systems are separate, there are times when the blood from the baby crosses or enters into the mother’s bloodstream. When the blood cells from an Rh+ baby cross its Rh-mother’s bloodstream, it might trigger an immune response by creating antibodies to attack the Rh+ blood cells of the baby. The mother is said to be sensitized. If this happens and proper actions are not taken, it could lead to serious complications including the fetus dying due to heart failure.  According to studies, complications may also include erythroblastosis fetalis, (Hemolytic disease of the newborn), anaemia, jaundice etc.

It is important to state that, numerous studies have shown that sensitization is not a common issue in first pregnancies, but causes complications with future pregnancies. It must also be pointed out that, not all Rh-negative mothers with an Rh-positive partner would be sensitized as some of them naturally might not be affected.

Should Rh incompatibility prevent you from marrying your soul mate?

This is a big NO. Rh incompatibility should not in any way prevent you from marrying your soul mate.

If you plan to have children together, and in case the blood group is known in advance, then your doctor will easily deal with appropriate treatment for you. If your doctor identifies a potential for Rh incompatibility, your pregnancy will be monitored closely for any related issues. Your health facility may recommend Rh immune globulin (RhoGAM) during seven months of pregnancy, and then just after delivery if the baby’s blood type is confirmed as Rh positive upon delivery.

Rh immune globulin contains Rh IgG antibodies which ensure the mother’s body does not react to her baby’s Rh-positive cells as if they were intruders. Hence, the mother’s body does not produce its own antibodies. Now the unborn baby’s blood cells are protected.

Could the Blood group incompatibility be the reason you don’t have a child after many years of marriage?

This issue still remains open to debate. Over the past 50 years or more, there have been clinical interests in the immunologic factors leading to infertility. Different studies have suggested or tried to understand whether the ABO blood group incompatibility is a risk factor or one of the immunologic causes of infertility. Unfortunately, none of the studies have conclusively confirmed this link. So, the linkage is still controversial.

Infertility is influenced by multiple factors, including low sperm production, tubal blockage or endometriosis, hormonal imbalance etc.

From the foregoing, it is clear that blood group incompatibility among couples has nothing or little to do with your fertility issues.