Advice on Rhogam Shot - Necessary During Pregnancy?

I have 3 kids and got the rhogam shots as adviced by my dr.: no complications whatsoever. Good luck !!!

I am AB- and I think my amnio (almost 2 years ago - so hard to remember!) showed that my daughter had a different blood type that was problematic. So I did the shots. I had no adverse affects and my baby is perfectly healthy and develomentally advanced (i think she may have a higher Iq than einstein!) all kidding aside, the consequence of having my body reject my baby or go after her like she was a disease was enough information.

I did zero research. But I know my mom also had the same issue (45 years ago) because she and I have blood type weirdness too.

I asked to see the box and package insert before they gave it to me. I dont' think the Rhogam of today still has thimerosal in it, but I would definitely find out and read the insert before they inject you with anything!

I am RH neg. as well and had to get the shot twice as well with all four of my pregnancys. I had no issues or problems with the shot. I feel it very important to get the shot if you are RH neg., even if there is mercury in it, because of the experience of my aunt. She was RH neg. before much was known about it and lost five babies because of it. She was only able to keep two out of seven children. I never researched the shot, but never had any hesitations about getting it and all of my children were born healthy with no problems.

As a mom who is O- and also as a labor & delivery nurse for more than 20 years I can assure you there is more risk in not getting the shot then there is having a little mercury in the shot. I have seen babies born who developed Rh sensitation...it is awful. Speaking to what someone said about forgoing the pregnancy shot and only taking the one after the delivery...she is correct IF you can guarantee yourself that there will be absolutely no possible trauma. That means no bumping into anything(hard of course), no car accidents, no falling down etc. If you can guarantee yourself that for another 12 or so weeks then fine just wait until after the delivery and get the the baby's blood tested. Also, another responder said your baby will absolutely be a "+" blood type...not so. It all depends on the recessive genes that each of you carry. It is possible that your baby will have a negative blood type like you. And what Megan said about having the shot after delivery once and you will never have to have it again with future pregnancies is also WRONG. Each pregnancy will require the same regimen of it recommended about 28 weeks and then again after delivery if determined the baby is "+". I hope that this first hand experience as well as professional advice helps you make the right decision for you and your baby.

Hi D. - I am RH negative and this shot is perfectly fine. I would not give it a second thought. They have been giving them for a long time now and trust me it is better to have this shot than not especially if you are planning to have another baby. They have removed all mercury from shots this is old data. This is not one to stress about at all. I hope this helps.

Best,

L.

Hi, I am a laboratory scientist, and I work at the blood bank in the laboratory at Providence St.Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. I issue Rhogam shots to pregnant women, and to postpartum women (just after they have had their baby) every week. This shot is VERY IMPORTANT to your babies health. If you do not have it, your immune system could attack the baby through the placenta (the antibodies will cross over) and your baby could be very ill because of it. If this happens, the antibodies will attack and destroy the baby's red blood cells, which causes anemia (less oxygen delivery), and hemolysis (which is where the hemoglobin gets burst out of the cells, like a bruise within the blood stream). The baby's liver can not break down all that hemoglobin and it can cause organ and brain damage and death. I don't mean to freak you out, but Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn is a really serious thing. Rhogam is a simple, inexpensive way the keep all that from happening, and it is really a great treatment. It fools the immune system by binding up any antibody so your body doesn't realize that there is a problem. Hopefully this is all understandable. You can ask your doctor or the blood bank staff about the risks involved, but they are really minimal when you consider the alternative. I wish you all the best in your pregnancy and in joining the intrepid crew called "parents." My son is 5, and if I was Rh negative, I would get the rhogam shot.
None of the mom's that I have issued the injection to have ever said anything to me about problems that they have had with it previously. We get a lot of pregnant mom's to pick up their medication before going to the md's office to get the shot, and many of them have had it before. God bless and be well!!

A.

There are mercury free shots available but you have to request it. Also, this is a blood product from donors which in my opinion is worse than mercury. I didn't do my research with my first pregnancy and gave into the scare tactics. In my second pregnancy my midwife explained it isn't beneficial during pregnancy but best after. It is only needed during pregnancy if there is an accident that results in trauma to the abdomen. In my second and third pregnancy I opted out during but received after the births because both kids are positive.

Hi-

I am A- and received the rhogam shot during my pregnancy and shortly after my son's birth because my son has my husband's blood type A+. The shot is VERY important as it protects both you and the baby. If your baby ends up having the same blood as you the shot is not needed after birth. However, if it is (+) then your body could reject the baby and begin to create antibodies that will destroy the baby's red blood cells because it sees it as a foreign object. Also, back in the days before the shot they called these babies "rh babies" and many of them had serious health complications. The benefits outweigh the MINIMAL risks from the shot.

My daughter is 13... I am O- and she turned out to be A-. I had the shot, and other than the sting, I didn't have any problems with it! I was happy to not need another one because it did sting, and they put it in your booty, which I don't like because I like to watch the shot go in (I think it makes it hurt less)...

I have to say that if you know for sure that your husband is positive, I think you should get the shot. There's no reason to risk losing your next baby or having a miscarriage over a tiny little shot...

Huggles!!
~S.~

I'm a mother of 2 and O-. I had the shot with no problems.

Hi, I'm A- and had to get the shot. No issues. And any little amount of mercury to us is not as important as the well being of the baby or future babies.
I was even told that my husband didn't need to be tested (though we know he's B+) because they give the shot to any woman who is Rh- regardless of the "father." Reason why? Sad really, because the doctors now a days aren't sure who the father really is and are covering their butts.

I personally didn't have that issue as a mother as I am A+ and hubby is O+; however I was in utero while my mother had that issue. My mother was AB- so she had to have the shot with all 3 of her pregnancies. I am a 33 year old product of someone who had the shot and as far as I know, there weren't any side effects. My brothers don't seem to have any complications either all these years later.

I am AB- and had to get the shot at 28 weeks and after the birth of my son. It was no big deal and my doctor assured me the one she used did NOT contain Mercury. I have no side effects from it and neither has my son who is now 18 months. It is to insure the health of your next child so it seemed worth it to me. I had a doctor I truly trusted and she was amazing. I hope this helps. Good luck on your pregnancy and delivery!!!

I have done it all three times with my three sons and they have all been perfectly healthy and no side effects at all. I am negative and my husband is positive. It turns out that all three boys are negative as well so I have never needed the shot afterwards. It is imperative that you do it otherwise you risk miscarriage for your next pregnancy. Best of luck!

i am o- husband a+ i waited till our first son was delivered and he ended up being negative. second son was positive so after his birth i had the shot and during our third sons pregnancy and he was also positive. i would get it but not until after you have had the baby. congratulations

Yes, I had to get it. I am O-. It is my understanding that the Rhogam shots with the mercury derivative Thimerosal are being filtered out and you can ask for a mercury/thimerosal free shot.

had it twice no problems however, why is he giving to you at 28 weeks if he didn't invade the womb? I only had it after birth and animio then after the birth

I am O negative or something like that and had to get the shot. I really had no choice, my son is almost two he did have a different blood type, we are both fine. These shots have been given for years, my mom had to have one too. I think they are really safe. Good luck with your decision.

I'm RH negative and had to have the shots. Other than the little bit of pain/pinch from the injection, I had no complications.

I am Rh- and got the shot before and after as well. My daughter is almost 5 now. I would recommend getting the shot. I have a friend who did not get the shot for her pregnancy and was not able to carry another pregnancy to full term. Not sure if it was the Rh- factor or something else, but she seems to think it was.
I would imagine that we're exposed to more mercury from eating seafood than from those 2 shots.

D.-It is absolutely necessary to have the rhogam shot if you have a negative blood type so your baby and especially future babies will not be harmed. I am o- and received the shot after I miscarried my first pregnancy. After that we found out that my husband is o- as well so I no longer need to have the shot. I understand your concern about mercury in the shot. However, pros weigh out the cons in this situation. I would get the shot even though it may hurt a little. Congrats on your pregnancy.

Hi, you do need it. I had it with all 4 of my children. They are all fine, oldest is 18.

I'm 36 weeks pregnant and I had the rhogam shot when I was 20 weeks or so. I'm O negative and my husband is A+...I decided to do the shot just to avoid any complications. They've been giving this shot for years now so I wasn't too concerned about the mercury topic. Once you get your shot after delivery then you won't ever have to get the shot again if you have more children.

D.,

I had the shot with both of my boys and I had no problems. It stung a little but there were no problems. Both of my boys are beautiful and healthy too. Hope this helps!!

S.

I'm O- and my husband is O+, I had to get the shot w/ my first son (good thing because my 1st son turned out to be O+ too). I am 30 weeks pregnant with my second child, and am doing the RH shot again. I didn't do much research on it, but I knew it was necessary, and there are no side effects, I know it's essential for the baby. It's worth it!

I had rhogam 31 years ago, and again with my last child 19 years ago. I've never experienced any problems, and I am grateful that such a simple test and antidote saved any possible complications for my middle child, a second "positive" baby. The Rh factor is nothing to mess around with. I had a friend who was the child of this situation back before rhogam, and she was very premature and required a complete blood transfusion at birth. Her mother also had several miscarriages.

The only difference for me and your doctor's recommendation was that I didn't receive any shots while I was pregnant--must be a new thing. I received the shot after the babies were born and their blood was typed. Since my third baby was negative also, I didn't need the shot after she was born.

Best of luck,
D.

I have A-, I received the shot several times (I have 2 handsome Sons). I recommend you getting the shots. I have a friend whos wife did not get the shot and she became sensitized.
Good luck!!

I am negative and had the shot as well. No bad side effects here.

Hi

I am A- and my husband B+ so I needed the shot I think at about 30 weeks. It stung a bit but wasnt a big deal. My daughter was born with AB- so I didnt need the shot when she was born. I would go with getting it.

Good luck!

Hi D.,

Yes, it is absolutely necessary unless this is your FIRST pregnancy AND you know that the father is also Rh negative. A reputable hospital should require the father's blood type to be tested too, if the claim is as such. The Rhogam protects ONLY the fetus, it has nothing to do with protecting the mother. It protects the fetus against HDN - hemolytic disease of the newborn. HDN occurs because the mother has formed an antibody against the fetus and the most damaging antibodies are related to the Rh factor of the fetus, in this case anti-D. D stands for the Rh factor. It is given at 28 weeks and after delivery typically. Why? The fetus doesn't really have much blood to lose at 28 weeks in order for the mother's immune system to 'see' it and work to attack it. If the fetus lost that amount of blood prior to 28 weeks, it would be incompatible with life for the fetus. The Rhogam shot essentially has the power to protect the mom for a total blood loss of the 28 week fetus. Does that make sense? It is not necessary to give it to the mom prior to 28 weeks. It is given again after delivery due to the high possibility of blood exchange during the birthing process. It needs to be given within 72 hours post delivery to be effective.

Think of the Rhogam as a blocker, or binder, of sorts to the free fetal blood. The Rhogam has the corresponding 'site' on it that will bind to the Rh+ cells of the fetus that are IN the mom's blood system. Because the Rhogam binds to those fetal blood cells, the mom's immune system can't see those cells any longer as foreign and eventually those cells are cleaned out of the blood system. Without these cells being 'blocked', the mom's immune system will make antibodies to this foreign cell (antigen) just like making antibodies to virus' and/or bacteria. The first time this occurs, there is typically no problem to the first Rh positive fetus. However, since our immune systems are smart, the memory of this antigen is stored and if the mom becomes pregnant again with a Rh positive fetus, the process will be very fast and HDN will most likely occur. This is when you will have in utero exchange transfusions or complete exchange transfusions immediately after birth as others have indicated, or the fetus will die.

I know this seems like a lot of stuff, but I wanted to pass it on. The new Rhogam Plus does NOT contain mercury either. Check out this site for more info http://www.rhogam.com/Patient/AboutRhogam/Pages/default.aspx

Good luck and please get the Rhogam! Happy pregnancy!

Best,

L.

get the shot. I am Rh- and have had the shot lots of times. during 3 pregnancies, and after, and after a miscarriage.

If you plan on more kids get the shot. Your body might very well attack the next baby because it will form antibodies against your husband's + blood type. Women get this shot all the time. Talk to your doctor about it.

Hi D.,
My blood type is A-. I have four beautiful, healthy, intelligent children. I have gotten the rhogam shots for all four pregnancies. Goodluck.

D.,

I am also B- and my hubby is +. I had the shot at 28 weeks with both of my kids. I did not have the shot after because both babies were - blood type. I believe the only time you get the shot after is if the baby is +. Also the baby will need to get the shot if they are + also. This is just what I was told by my Dr. Have you done research on what would happen if you or the baby DON'T get the shot. That way you can weigh which is better/worse.

Good luck

Hi D.,

I am A- and my husband is O+ and i had to get the rhogam shot at 28 weeks and it was nothing. I recommend getting it just in case. I happened to have the dominant gene and my son who is now 6 months old ended up with A- blood type which mean i did not have to get the shot again after I gave birth. They say if you don't get the 28 week shot than the next pregnancy may result in miscarriage. So, I would definitly recommend getting the shot. My son is healthier and happier than ever and I had no complications after I got the shot. I hope this helps you in making the decision and good luck the the new little one.

Just like the nurse that responded earlier....YOU NEED TO GET THE SHOT! Back in the olden days before modern medicine they beleive that this rh factor may have been the cause of many deaths to moms and babies.Like another person responded with the first baby risk is not as high because less blood is mixed, but subsequent babies more blood will be mixed and risk of the baby's death or even your death is greatly increased. Your body will literally attack the baby if you are negative and it is positive and you could die because of a blood clot resulting from this attack. I am rh neg and my husband is pos. I got the shots with all four pregnancies and had to get shots with only 2 afterward because the other two were neg so no antibodies were formed during that pregnancy. The shot afterward is to protect you and the next baby. But even if you decide you are not having any more children, still get the shot because OOPS babies happen. They are safe, and I do believe that: one they no longer contain mercury, and two even if they did you would get more mercury from eating salmon for dinner. Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy everything will be fine. :o)

The Rhogam shot is absolutely necessary for pregnant Rh- women with Rh+ husbands. I don't like shots containing mercury either but in this case you have no choice. The outcome of a second pregnancy with a RH+ baby is horrible. Your blood cells will overpower the baby's and the pregnancy will end in a loss. Get the shot. It's not a big deal at all!!

I had rhogam during pregnancy and after delivery for being Rh-. If you're concerned, ask your doctor. I didn't even question it. If you are considering having a second child and you do not have the shot, your child will be at serious risk for severe anemia, jaundice, brain damage, and heart failure. In extreme cases, it can cause the death of the fetus because too many RBCs have been destroyed. There may also be complications in a FIRST pregnancy if there is any bleeding. This I know less about. Again, talk to your doctor. But do take some solace in the fact that many, many people have this shot. I have never heard of there being a problem.

Your doctor is right.
My cousin was is the same position, as was I. This is something very necessary. Nothing will happen to this child even if you dont' dont it. But it will definately hurt your future children.
Godo luck!

Well, I'll give you another side of this story.
My mom is 0-, and I'm the second baby.
She did NOT have any treatment, not sure why, but I had complications and turned severly jaundiced because of it.
I had to go through a complete blood transfusion where all my blood was changed. I was in the hospital for a week because of it. I have been told it was because my mothers body actually tried to get rid of me, since I do NOT have a negative blood type.
So if you are planning on having more children, I'd take the shot.

E.

I'm Rh negative and had to get the shot at 28 weeks with both pregnancies. My daughter was AB+ so I had to get the shot again after birth. My sons were A- so I didn't have to get the shot. The child doesn't have to get the shot, only the mother. And I guess, truly, if you are absolutely, positively positive that you will never have more than the one child then you technically don't need the shot. For some reason Rh disease doesn't affect first pregnancies, only subsequent pregnancies. It may turn out that your baby is also Rh negative and it will be a moot point. I had no side effects from the shot at all, and since I had two surprise twins 4 years after we "knew" we were done, I'm really glad I let them talk me into the shot. I would have been devastated if I had lost those babies, or risked my own life to blood disease, just because of a little mercury. If you were one of the extremely rare people who cannot filter heavy metals from their system, you would already know it, as all of the shots we were given as kids still had it in them. Trust your doctors on this one.

Yes! you need the shot. since your husband is "+", non of your offspring will be "-". This means that your body will attack your next child when your blood mixes at birth. Basically your body will see your next child as a threat and attack the child. I am A- and my husband is +. I had 5 miscarriages before my son, I received the shot with each miscarriage and at the appropriate times with my son and he is just fine.

We have the RH factor. At the time we did not have to worry about first baby, it was only after she was born and found to by RH - that they again said I didn't need to worry, however after 2nd baby 0 + that I would have needed shots. Our daugther was the same way, after a positive baby you need to have the shots?? Maybe things have changed. But you don't want to put your baby at risk of needing transfusions. Just read about it on-line.

The ramifications of NOT taking the shot can be quite serious. The shot was an amazing invention that has saved the lives of babies. Please discuss with your doctor and do not rely on old data.

Please listen to your doctor and have this shot properly. I too am Rh- (A-) and my husband is AB+. Our son was born as A+. I have received Rhogam shots during my recent pregnancy and before that after 2 prior early miscarriages. Rhogam prevents serious disease and death of future babies and is one of the greatest advances in mother/baby health in the last 50 years. It is truly a life saving medicine.

you do need to get one so your body doesn't resist the baby i hsd to get one a t 12 weeks becuase i started spotting

I was able to ask for a thermisol-free shot and they said if it is asked for, you can get it, since they are slowly getting rid of the other ones. Make sure you get the shot or your next child or yourself could get harmed.

Yes, I had to get it more than one: once while pregnant, and also after two miscarriages before the successful pregnancy. I was not aware it has mercury, though it may. But if you don't get it, I think your body might treat the body like an invader and try to reject it(or somethig like that) so it's important to get it. After several of those shots over a few years, I did end up having a little girl who so far (and in the womb) seems very healthy. However, I don't eat a lot of fish so I probably don't have very high mercury levels to begin with. Still, I think it's probably not something to skip...

Hello D.,

I am O- and my husband is AB+. So, I did take the shot. I don't know if it is totally required, but I didn't want to take my chance.

My son is perfectly healthy. Had no problems with pregnancy, well except for the 4 1/2mns of all day sickness. And my delivery was AWESOME!!!!

My son is now 3, will be 4 in August and is a very bright, funny, caring little man.

I don't think the shot will do any harm to you or your baby.

Congrats and Best of Luck,
M.

I had the shot with my 3 babies and no problem. I would get it. Why have something else to worry about? If it contained a hazardous amount of mercury your doc would have warned you. I would rather take the risk than the health of my baby. Good luck!