Rh Negative

DiFazette

Can anyone refresh me on how being Rh negative influences second pregnancies?  I'm seeing a new OB this time around and want to make sure I disclose/ask the right questions.  I believe there's nothing to do unless there's early bleeding/trauma until later in pregnancy.  Can anyone confirm?  

FiancB

If your partner is Rh+ you just need a shot of RhoGam and then you're all good. Otherwise your body can reject the Rh+ baby because of the antibodies that form from being exposed to the first baby's blood during birth or some other situations. It's normally given at 28 weeks or shortly after a miscarriage, birth, or anything else that has potential for mixing blood.

DiFazette

Thanks @FiancB.  I had the shots for PG 1, wasn't sure if PG #2 would be handled any differently.  DS was RH negative too, though.  So I'm thinking I have less concern for the antibodies.  

MamaWino

I'm RH- and was given the Rhogam shot twice each pregnancy. Once after spotting in the first trimester and then again around 28 weeks. 

FiancB

Ah, gotcha. I think if they did shots for the first they probably will for the second, although I'm surprised they did it at all if your partner is also negative. I don't have personal experience so I'd be interested to know what others say. 

DiFazette

FiancB said:

Ah, gotcha. I think if they did shots for the first they probably will for the second, although I'm surprised they did it at all if your partner is also negative. I don't have personal experience so I'd be interested to know what others say. 

H is positive, DS was negative, like me.  

FiancB

Pregnancy brain, whoops. Ignore me...

emisi

I already had mine, after a miscarriage early last month.  I tend to think that's why this one stuck. 

PrettyPalomino

I'm also Rh- and DH has to ask his mom what his blood type is; I hope she doesn't want to know why... there is literally no time in his day to go to a blood clinic during work hours, going to have to bite the bullet and raise suspicions with the in-laws.

He thinks he's O negative as well though, which would be freakin romantic! 

My doctor sucks, she didn't tell me anything about spotting or trauma that causes bleeding or internal bleeding. She just said I get a shot at 28 weeks and a shot after delivery. Thanks for the big picture doc.

H4aPartyof5

I'm also RH-.  I got the Rhogam shot at ~28 weeks with our first DS (also RH-). Unless I forgot post labor (possible), I didn't get another Rhogam shot until my second pregnancy.   I did get a Rhogam shot after my second DS's birth though.  

JulieSmiles

I had to get the rhogam shot at 28 weeks and after I delivered DD. I would assume it will be the same this time  

DiFazette

PrettyPalomino said:

I'm also Rh- and DH has to ask his mom what his blood type is; I hope she doesn't want to know why... there is literally no time in his day to go to a blood clinic during work hours, going to have to bite the bullet and raise suspicions with the in-laws.

He thinks he's O negative as well though, which would be freakin romantic! 

My doctor sucks, she didn't tell me anything about spotting or trauma that causes bleeding or internal bleeding. She just said I get a shot at 28 weeks and a shot after delivery. Thanks for the big picture doc.

@PrettyPalomino - does your H have a PCP?  Maybe he could call there rather than tipping off the in-laws?  

LakinL

I'm also Rh- & first pregnancy I got the shot for sure at 28 weeks, but I feel like I got it at another point as well..maybe not. But that was nearly 6 years ago and I can't remember. So many needles and so much blood work. (I also have Factor V Leiden so with DD and with this pregnancy I'm doing heparin injections twice a day. Ouch.) 

princesslockness

@PrettyPalomino if your H has a blood donor card or has donated he can find out through that company. 

Sugargirl1019

*I'm going to blame this general question on pregnancy brain*

If DH is positive and I'm positive, but his dad is negative, is there chance baby could be negative? (I forget how RH is carried through generations)

PrettyPalomino

@Kate08Young He has never donated blood, he seems to recall he has the universal blood type from his baby book.  

@DiFazette what is a PCP? (in Canada)

missyrissy

I'm RH- and hubbs is RH+. I got 2 shots last time, asking doc on Friday about this time! Good thread y'all!!

princesslockness

@PrettyPalomino, That would probably have it. PCP is Primary Care Physician.

SchruteBucks

You only need the shots if your partner is Rh+.  If your partner is also negative, then it's not a concern.  If you consent, they do it at 28 weeks.  They test the baby's blood after birth and if they're Rh+, you get another shot before you're sent home.  If baby is Rh-, you don't need the second shot.  They also recommend it after miscarriage/abortion or any sort of trauma or bleeding during pregnancy.  

H4aPartyof5

SchruteBucks said:

They test the baby's blood after birth and if they're Rh+, you get another shot before you're sent home.  If baby is Rh-, you don't need the second shot.   

@SchruteBucks, that is is pretty much what I figured.   

lrg14

@Sugargirl1019 I'm pretty sure it's only something of concern if you yourself is negative. 

R0824H

@Sugargirl1019 you do have a chance that the baby is negative IF you and DH are both heterozygous for the D antigen (phenotype as Dd) D (positive) is a dominant gene and d (negative) is a recessive. Therefore you need dd to be negative but can be Dd and be positive. But your baby being negative wont cause threat or need for Rhig

I hope that's not confusing....I only know all this because I'm a Lab Technologist and I run Group and Screens on people all day long lol

a2003tiger

You'll get a shot at 28 weeks, then if baby is positive, another after birth. Also if there's any bleeding during pregnancy.