True for the Rh incompatibility. My grandmom had the problem and although she had a great number of pregnancies she saved only my father (first born) and my aunt who is Rh negative like my grandmotehr was. Even my aunt lost several children for this reason after the second child before medicine discovered the problem and was so able to save the third one (which made a space of about 10 years). Luckily for me this was no longer a problem when I got my children since otherwise I would have had the same problem. However since in the 18th century and before anyway many childs died very young form several causes and some women didn't get children every year, this may also be an explanation. Barbara ----- Message d'origine ----- De : "G. Leisen" <[email protected]> À : <[email protected]> Envoyé : mercredi 22 mai 2002 23:12 Objet : [TRIER-ROOTS-L] Spaces between Children > I realize that the question about a space of nine years between children was answered by the possibility of the first wife dying and acquiring a second wife. > > When that is not the circumstance, such as with an intact marriage, it could be a case of Rh incompatibility in which case, an Rh Negative Mom could have developed antibodies against Rh Positive blood exposure in one of her early pregnancies. Although often subsequent children who have Rh positive blood factor might be born and develop jaundice, die after birth, or be retarded, in extreme cases, the developing infant could be aborted naturally because of the Mom's overactive immune system. > > Just a thought. > > Gretchen Leisen > > > ==== TRIER-ROOTS Mailing List ==== > Going on vacation longer than 4 days? Go to > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/DEU/TRIER-ROOTS.html > to unsubscribe >