RhoGam shot needed after miscarriage?

lynnshey

Hi all - first of all ****siggy warning******,

Someone mentioned this in their post today and it surprised me.  If you are Rh negative and have a miscarriage, do you need a RhoGam shot afterwards?  So far, my miscarriage has not started.  (Background - ultrasound last Friday, measuring 8 weeks 6 days, no heartbeat.) 

I had some cramping and bleeding on Wednesday, but nothing passed.  The doctor gave me the pills to get the miscarriage started and I was going to do it this weekend as to not miss work.  Now I'm concerned since she didn't mention the need for a RhoGam shot. I am Rh negative, but was in such a state of shock that I didn't even think to bring it up. Did anyone else have to do this?

shootingstar0724

Here is what I was told- first, before they knew for sure I was having a m/c (basically I was bleeding but the baby still had a h/b) they gave me one. They said as soon as I started bleeding red blood I needed one- something about my blood and the baby's blood mixing and causing harm to it, not myself. However, if you are having a confirmed m/c I was told you do not need it until within 72 hours after you pass the sac/have a D&C.

So in your case, since you do not have a living baby inside of you, it does not matter if your blood mixes cause there can be no additional harm done to the baby (sorry that's morbid ). So, you won't need it until after your m/c is complete, within that 72 hours.

I'm so sorry you are going thru this.

Edit: Spelling

lynnshey

Shooting Star - thank you for the info.  I guess I'm in shock because the doctor didn't mention this at all.  I am so glad for this forum for the knowledge, although I wish this forum wasn't needed. ((Huggs to all))

And no worry about the morbid part - I am one that appreciates the facts straight.  Thanks again for spelling this out for me.  I am going to have a long talk with my doctor about missing this important step.  I know this could potentially harm a future pregnancy, so I kinda feel this was a big step to miss.

CCB2008

I was given the shot the day my mc happend. I would call your doc to be on the safe side. Very sorry for your loss.

shootingstar0724

Did you know your blood type prior, or did your Dr's office tell you? I would make sure to ask your Dr and def follow up on it to make sure it didnt get looked over.  

My Dr made no mention of it prior to my D&C. I asked him right before surgery and he said he knew and the shot had been "ordered" to be ready after my surgery. So, chances are you Dr probably does know, but if you are going to pass naturally I would have thought he/she should have told you to make sure you are seen w/in that 72 hrs afterwards.

lynnshey

ShootingStar0724:

Did you know your blood type prior, or did your Dr's office tell you? I would make sure to ask your Dr and def follow up on it to make sure it didnt get looked over.  

My Dr made no mention of it prior to my D&C. I asked him right before surgery and he said he knew and the shot had been "ordered" to be ready after my surgery. So, chances are you Dr probably does know, but if you are going to pass naturally I would have thought he/she should have told you to make sure you are seen w/in that 72 hrs afterwards.

ShootingStar - I knew before.  I have an 18 year old son and found out with him.  I knew I would need to remember it.  With my daughter, I told them I was Rh- and they ran the test just to be sure.  I love my doctor - overall she is really good - has lots of knowledge and experience.  However, this will be the second time she missed the Rh- factor.  I had to remind them when I needed the shot during pregnancy last time and they rushed to get it done (not sure I told them in time or what).  I am not scheduled to see her again for two weeks, so it would be too late at that point.  I guess I may need to have a heart to heart talk with her.  I know doctors have a lot of patients, but something like this shouldn't be missed.

lynnshey

CCB2008 - thank you for the info.  I am so sorry about your loss as well.

o0PinkLilies 6100o

Unfortunately, I went through this yesterday and had to find out about my m/c and my being rh-.   I asked all the same questions and this is what I was told.   Even though no harm can be done to your baby now, you do still need to have the shot because if the two bloods mix, your body will start developing antibodies against the rh+ blood, and after the antibodies start, there is nothing you can do to reverse it even the shot won't help.  These antibodies will be ready to attack future babies.  The shot is to prevent your blood from "detecting" the positive blood in the first place, whether the baby is in there or not.  I would definately call to make sure they didn't look this over.  Had the gotten the shot when you first got pregnant? In that case they may say you're already safe.   Hope this helps. 

lavril

I'm so sorry for your loss. 

Yes, I got this shot as well.  I was given the shot the day we saw no heartbeat on an u/s, and I was minimally spotting at this point.  It was 2 days before my D&C.  I would think the sooner the better before the antibodies have a chance to start.  I would call them ASAP and tell you need it.

I've heard you need the shot anytime there is blood that can mix (bleeding during pregnancy, m/c, labor, etc).

yankeegirl1979

I'm so sorry you had to join us.

I bled on Thursday afternoon, had the confirmation u/s Thursday evening, and my D&C on Friday afternoon.  They gave me the shot in the recovery room after my D&C. 

Babymamawithdrama

yes I would give the Dr. a call, I did after my loss for this reason, I don't think the Dr (at least mine) thought of the whole Rh factor thing.  For both losses I had the shot (D&C it was done while I was still under) and my natural m/c I had to do it within 72 hours of passing the sac.  It's your body, even if the Dr. should know, a call couldn't hurt if it was something overlooked.

clarks415

I am so sorry for your loss. 

Yes, I received a RhoGam shot. And I brought it up to my dr, they never asked. Also when I was rushed to the emergency room I asked the dr there and they gave it to me before I left. I was not yet bleeding bright red blood. I would def call and ask. If you start bleeding before your dr has given it to you I would go to the ER, they will get it for you. I think you have 72 hrs to get it after you begin to bleed.

I kept thinking to myself, if I hadn't already had a son and knew I was, no one prob would have ever asked or checked. It's a scary thought. 

sweetface83

As PP's have said, you need it within 72hrs after you start to bleed.

My experience was different.  I had an extended D&E procedure and they gave me mine shortly after I woke up.

I had a feeling I was RH negative and with my DH being RH positive, I bought this up with my OB right away.  My grandmom has RH negative blood and had told me horror stories with her pregnancies.  This lead to a 5 minute convo with my OB all about RHoGam.