Obstetrical problems coincidental to intrauterine transfusion for erythroblastosis

In a series of 49 patients given 100 intrauterine transfusions for erythroblastosis numerous obstetrical problems were encountered which were not directly related to the procedure. The purpose of this paper is to describe the difficulties experienced and to consider why these could have been anticipated.All of the mothers endured considerable emotional strain. Complications, which in previous pregnancies contributed to producing their Rh sensitization, tended to recur. Deliveries were carried out between 26 and 35 weeks' gestation, at which stage induction was difficult and labour imperfect. In 24 cases the fetus was alive at the onset of labour. The other 25 cases presented the problems of intrauterine death, nine of which occurred in the dangerous second trimester.Because of the coincidental obstetrical problems and the difficulties inherent in intrauterine fetal transfusion, these cases should be managed only in centres equipped to deal with all possible complications.