RH - Blood Type

I also had the shots. I would call and see what the doctor says and schedule it if they say you need it.

Call your doctor tomorrow because I am pretty sure that if you are negative you need it in the event the baby is positive. Maybe it's not too late.

Something weird happened to me when I was pregnant with #3 -- I was at a checkup and the nurse said "oh and you're A+ so we don't need to worry about that" and I said "no wait I'm A-, I do need it!" And she said, "No you're positive it says here on your chart" and I said "I'm 39 years old and I have been negative all my life and have had rhogam twice already so don't tell me I don't know what my blood type is or is not!" Well this was a very weird discussion that was very uncomfortable for me because for the first time ever I did not have faith in the medical system to keep good records and follow up well etc. etc. Luckily for me, my internist (who got dragged into this along with 3 other doctors) is a hematologist and he figured it out: I am actually A+, but so weakly positive that the lab tests that have been available until very recently couldn't detect it. And nobody had ever thought to scan backwards in my charge to see if my bloodtype had changed because that is unheard of, right?

So the upshot was that I should still get the rhogam since it could not hurt either me or the baby, and we were all wondering if I wouldn't test negative again in the future, borderline cases are unknown territory.

You may want to double check that your own blood type has been recorded as negative in your charts -- if you are weakly positive, like I am, you may be down as an A+ for the first time in your life if the testing technology in the lab has changed recently.

Good luck!

K.

Yes, I am Rh Neg. My husband and 2 sons are positive. My children are adults and they handle Rh differently now than they did when my kids were born.
I had the shot after my first son's birth. My second son was born a month premature due to microscopic cord breaks that caused our blood to mix. As he grew near to term, for some reason the cord lost integrity, I started making antibodies, became sensititized, he was healthy and tiny, but pretty jaundiced when born. I was given a shot after his birth in the hospital even though they felt it was possibly too late to stop anymore sensitization at that point. Subsequently I lost two pregnancies at the end of 4th beginning of 5th month. With each I received the shot.
Your best bet is to call your OB immediately to reassure yourself. This is routine for them and they will give you the information you need today. Good luck to you and your precious baby!

Yes you should ask. I would call your Dr today or tomorrow and make sure they did not miss it in your file. It maybe could cause problems with him and you at his birth or before if you have not had the shot timely. I am RH- and got during and after with all three of my children.

Amy,
You are still with in the window to get the shot. I would call you doc and make sure they know you need it. It is given around 28 weeks,. they try to give it before the third trimester, because that is when mixing blood is possible. And then after birthing, once they test the baby's blood. Don't worry just call your doc.

When will I receive RhoGAM® Ultra-Filtered PLUS?
An Rh-negative mother is most likely to be exposed to her baby’s blood during the last three months of pregnancy and at delivery. Therefore, your doctor will likely prescribe at least one dose of RhoGAM® Ultra-Filtered PLUS at around 28 weeks of pregnancy, and a second dose will be given for added protection within 72 hours after delivery if the baby is found to be Rh-positive.
source:
http://www.rhogam.com/Patient/PaFAQS/Pages/default.aspx#w...

Good luck,
E.

The shot is called Rhogam (a brand name) and it is given to block the antibodies that a woman with a negative blood type MIGHT produce in reaction to carrying a child with a positive blood type should the baby's blood get into the mother's blood stream - the placenta keeps the mother's blood separate from that of the baby and visa versa but they can mix during delivery or during a miscarriage, CAN but NOT ALWAYS. The first child is not affected - because the mother has yet to produce any antibodies - but if subsequent children are positive they can be born with hemolitic disease of the newborn (and need blood transfusions at birth) or even die in utero.

An example, my husband's grandmother and aunt are both negative and had their children before Rhogam was available. Grandmom had five girls and her first was positive, her second (JoAnne) is negative and her fifth is positive. Of the two in between I know at least the third was positive, I'm not sure about the fourth. Her fifth child did have hemolitic anemia and while I don't recall if she required a transfusion at birth she did recover. Joanne married a man who had a positive blood type. Her first two children were positive and were fine although I believe the second was mildly affected. Her third child, however, died in utero due to the antibodies that JoAnne's body made in reaction to her first two children.
I am A- and my husband and son are both A+ so I got a shot of Rhogam during my pregnancy (at about 28 weeks) and shortly after giving birth.
Here is a link to the Rhogam website:
http://www.rhogam.com/Patient/Pages/default.aspx

I am RH negative, have researched it, and have had 11 children. There doesn't seem to be a significant difference in outcome from getting the shot after birth or getting both. I don't recall the % difference any more but it was very small. I actually chose to not get the first one because of it. RhoGam is a blood product and I did not see the advantage of getting another exposure to a blood product. I know they screen and are pretty safe but.... Also if your child by chance is negative like you it isn't an issue anyway which of course you won't know until birth. I don't know that there is a definite window of time but rather a usual time for that first shot. I could be wrong. I studdied all this with the first pregnancy so it has been a while. The only way you are in danger of being sensitized is if the baby's blood mixes with yours. If you have not bleed during the pregnancy the chances of this are slim to none. The blood mixing at birth is small too and if they will wait until the blood stops pulsing through the umbilical cord after birth before they cut it drops to almost no chance. This would not effect this pregnancy anyway but if you were sensitized it would effect other pregnancies. I am sorry if this is confusing. I tried to express it in terms that were understandable. If you need clarification on anything just let me know!

To your health and that of the blessing you carry!

K.

You definitely need to get in and get the shot! I think 28 weeks is when one shot is normally administered so you're still right around that timeframe. But if you don't get the shot your baby is a t risk for hemolytic newborn disease which can be fatal. Each susbequent pregnancy is more suscceptible. PLEASE go get the shot!!!

You are not late in taking the shot just make sure to get it in in the next few weeks and all will be fine! I would give them a reminder call that you need it!

I would call the doctor's office if you are concerned. I got a rhogam shot before and after with both of my pregnancies. And I think it's "ideal" to get one at 28 weeks, but I know with my son they had the due date incorrect and I was actually 30 weeks when I got the shot...and everything turned out fine. I am definitely no authority on the subject, I am sure a nurse can let you know what is best for you and your baby, just give them a call.

If you MUST get the shot during your pregnancy you should insist on a mercury free shot.

This is a vaccine iwith mercury and can be harmful to your baby. It is to help with your NEXT pregnancy not the current one. If you had a shot previous to this pregnancy it was given to prevent problems after that pregnancy. The shot is not given to help the current pregnancy. You can wait and have the shot after you give birth. You have upto 72 hours to get the shot.

http://www.vaccinetruth.org/rhogam.htm

Definitely talk to your doctor right away. I'm rh negative too and had to get the shot with all of my pregnancies.

Shame on your doc for forgetting, was it ever mentioned at your prenatal appts? I'd call the Dr now and ask what he thinks. I'm rh - too and I've always gotten the shot. It's a pretty big deal. Even with the shot, my middle child had the kind of jaundice caused by RH incompatibility. He is A+.

I would go with getting a new shot. I am Rh negative and my hubby was needle shy and would not get a blood test to determine his Rh factor, so I simply got a shot to be safe. From what I understand about the RhoGam shot, it will not harm you or your baby. Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy!

There is no window of opportunity for the Rhogam injection.. they usually give it at 28 weeks just because that isa good point in pregancy to give it.. but earlier or later is ok too.. after the bby is born they can test the baby to see if you need another shot or not.. if hte baby is - you do not need the shot if the bby is + you need the shot..

you should talk to your dr.

I am not too familiar with this situation, as I am not RH-, but you better believe if I was, I would know the details if it could potentially pose a risk to my child. Talk to your doctor immediately about this so you will have the facts.

I wouldn't worry about it until after the baby is born and you have his or her blood tested. If it is positive, then you can get the shot. The only concern would be if your blood mixed with the baby's blood. Then, your blood would make antibodies against a positive blood type, which could cause risk for your next Rh+ blood baby. If you have a trauma during this pregnancy, you will want the rhogam also. (miscarriage, hemmoraging, amniocentesis, etc.) I am Rh- also.

I'm RH Negative as well... I know I got a shot after the birth. I can't remember when I got the first one. Your doctor would know though!

Good luck with your delivery! :)

Hi, Amy!
If you're seeing your OB like you should be, then they should tell you what to do. My first husband (that I had two kids with) was Rh positive and my new husband (that I just had my third baby with) is Rh positive.
What I learned this time is that because I am negative and my husband(s) is positive, and the baby turns out to have a positive Rh factor, then my body could possibly build up antibodies (or something) against the positive blood if I were ever to get pregnant again.
It is very confusing, but I just went with the flow at the Dr's office. You can always tell them that you think you need the shot, but they will probably already be on the ball with it. I didn't get my shot until much later on in my pregnancy.
Don't worry about it, whatever you do. Just mention it next time you see the Doc. I think you're on the right track! :)
Good luck and many blessings with your wonderful gift from God!

I have no personal experience with this but my husband has a neice who is RH- and has lost 8 babies but has 3 children. Talk to your dr about your concerns, and I will talk to my neice and get you as much info as possible .