Clarification Question about Rh

KristinNP

Hi Ladies,

 I posted on another forum in April as I was having a very early miscarriage and found everyone who responded so helpful, so now I am here hoping for more wonderful advice

 I'm not sure I technically belong in this forum yet but wasn't sure where else to pose this question.  My husband and I got married in January of this year after 11 years and I stopped taking the pill on February 12th.  We weren't trying, but weren't not trying either.  Had a normal period in March and then a strange, early, light period in April, found out a week after that I was pregnant.  I am Rh- and of course hubby is not.  Started bleeding heavy a week after that and came back with negative pregnancy tests.  So off to emerg I went to get a Rhogam shot as I was miscarrying.

Doctor said we didn't have to wait if we didn't want to, and I saw no reason to.  This month, my period was two days late (although I've only been off the pill such a short time I'm not sure what's normal really) and then it arrived very very faintly.  It's been pretty non-existent since Saturday last week, just some sporadic dark brown blood.  I've "felt" like I did last time.  Bloated, sore breasts, tired, occasionally nausea.  Took a pregnancy test on Monday of last week and it was negative, took another on Saturday when I first saw blood and it was again negative.  So I wasn't concerned with getting another Rhogam.

Symptoms have increased so I took another test this morning and got a very very faint positive on a First Response.  So now am I confused?  Is this bleeding implantation bleeding?  Should I go and get a Rhogam shot now?  Or since I was not showing pregnant when all this started is that not an issue because the baby must not have even been implanted yet?

Very nervous about this now that I've learned more about RH factor, but also do not want to spend another 9 hours waiting in emerg for a shot if it's really not necessary.  When my mom had originally mentioned all this to me (she's also RH negative) I dont think she realized the huge issue it can be if you miscarry.  Should I just call my doctor and make an appointment or wait a few days and take some more home pregnancy tests?  The lines were much more pronounced last month.   Any help would be greatly appreciated  

mjester1

I'm not exactly sure what you need to do. I got the shot when I had my loss last time. I am 7 weeks 5 days now and my ob will give it to me again at 28 weeks. I would just call your ob and see what they want you to do.

BootsOrHearts

Agree, I would call your OB right away, ask to talk to a nurse and explain the situation.

If you got a positive, then you're pregnant. Is there a reason you assume you're miscarrying again? I hope you're not. Your OB should be able to confirm your pregnancy with bloodwork and make sure your numbers are going up as they should.

KristinNP

BootsOrHearts:

Agree, I would call your OB right away, ask to talk to a nurse and explain the situation.

If you got a positive, then you're pregnant. Is there a reason you assume you're miscarrying again? I hope you're not. Your OB should be able to confirm your pregnancy with bloodwork and make sure your numbers are going up as they should.

 

Sorry I wasn't being clear.  I don't think I am miscarrying at the moment (I sure hope not, don't want to go through that again!).  But with RH I was told any blood while pregnant was possible cause for a Rhogam shot.  But I'm wondering if the bleeding I've been having earlier was implantation bleeding and therefore nothing to worry about as until today I was getting negative pregnancy results?  So probably not a concern with mixing of blood?  I hope?  If it is an issue I've missed my 72 hour window because I started bleeding on Saturday (but also tests said defs not pregnant).  So confusing!  Why can't hubby be RH negative too?

BootsOrHearts

KristinNP:

BootsOrHearts:

Agree, I would call your OB right away, ask to talk to a nurse and explain the situation.

If you got a positive, then you're pregnant. Is there a reason you assume you're miscarrying again? I hope you're not. Your OB should be able to confirm your pregnancy with bloodwork and make sure your numbers are going up as they should.

Sorry I wasn't being clear.  I don't think I am miscarrying at the moment (I sure hope not, don't want to go through that again!).  But with RH I was told any blood while pregnant was possible cause for a Rhogam shot.  But I'm wondering if the bleeding I've been having earlier was implantation bleeding and therefore nothing to worry about as until today I was getting negative pregnancy results?  So probably not a concern with mixing of blood?  I hope?  If it is an issue I've missed my 72 hour window because I started bleeding on Saturday (but also tests said defs not pregnant).  So confusing!  Why can't hubby be RH negative too?

Ah ok, I didn't realize any bleeding was a problem. But if you got a positive test today, then something did implant, otherwise there wouldn't be any hormone to turn the test positive. I hope everything works out ok!

egsquared

I'm Rh-.  I agree that I would call your OB and ask what they recommend. I don't think you need to worry since the bleeding was before your BFP.  I've had doctors tell me that even with my very early chemical pregnancy losses (like two days after I tested positive) that I didn't *need* rhogam because the risk of the blood mixing was so low, but they still gave me the shot - maybe more for my own peace of mind.  Hope your doc can give you some reassurance! 

KristinNP

egsquared:

I'm Rh-.  I agree that I would call your OB and ask what they recommend. I don't think you need to worry since the bleeding was before your BFP.  I've had doctors tell me that even with my very early chemical pregnancy losses (like two days after I tested positive) that I didn't *need* rhogam because the risk of the blood mixing was so low, but they still gave me the shot - maybe more for my own peace of mind.  Hope your doc can give you some reassurance! 

 That's what happened with me last month too.  I miscarried very early at 5 or 6 weeks and I went to emerg to get the shot and after sitting there for 9 hours they told me I didn't need one!  That it was too early and I was passing everything naturally.  I got angry because I did not want to take the risk since I knew I was miscarrying anyways, so they relented and gave me the shot but said that I probably didn't really need it.  I wasn't leaving without it however lol but don't want to relive that experience again if I can help it.

 

ETA:  Got an appointment with my family doctor tomorrow at 11.  Will see what he says.

KikiCohen

I would call your OB and make an appt just to be sure since you had negatives and then positives later.  I know that with all of the Rhogam shots I've had, I've received a card saying when they "expire" so it's probably well within that window for you since you didn't have your shot too long ago.

daisy19782011

I do agree you should call your OB! I am RH- and I had a gush of blood with my 1st pregnancy (they thought it was a burst blood vessel or something) and I was 12 weeks. They did give me the rogham shot, but said it really wasnt necessary b/c its all about the blood getting in contact with your baby, and it would be too early at 12 weeks for that unless you are miscarrying....so I wanted to give you some reassurance, but definitley call too!

KristinNP

thanks so much ladies!!  I feel better   When I got my RhoGam shot last time I did get a card that just said I have been infused with a blood product but did not tell me the shot was good for x amount of time.  I had tried googling it afterwards wondering how long the shot was good for but came up with nothing?  So its good to know it's good for 3 months after the shot.  (And yes that was just last month).

I'm not sure how it works where you guys are from but here my regular doctor cant give me a RhoGam shot, it can only be done at a hospital because it's a blood product and there is consistently a 8 hour wait at emerg   So that's why I was very much hoping I wouldn't have to go again.  Sitting in an emergency room alone while I was miscarrying my first pregnancy last month was not so great.  Had way too much time to sit and dwell on why I was there.

Hopefully no such problems this time

musicteach78

I have had two miscarriages and received the Rhogam shot with both. This pregnancy, I had quite a bit of dark brown blood that my OB chalked up to implantation bleeding and did not order the shot. I had one other little episode of spotting around 7 weeks and she ordered it that time. She said barring any more blood that I would get another one at 28 weeks.

FX you get some answers from your doctor and can ease your mind!

bmqcmg

It could be implantation bleeding and you could be pregnant and just be experiencing some bleeding. I had a lot of bleeding in first tri at different periods in time.

I am also RH negative. When I was expecting DD they gave me a shot later on in my pg. When I went to the hospital when experiencing my loss with LO #2, they gave me a shot while at the hospital. This time around, knowing that I am RH negative and even with all the bleeding that I have had, they still have yet to give me a shot.

Adam2010

jenek0213:

I am also rh- and DH is positive. When I had a chemical pregnancy, I did not have to get a rhogam shot. I had a positive HPT, my beta was 16, and I started bleeding that evening. My RE said no need for rhogam because 1) there wouldn't have been enough Rh positive blood at that point to activate antibodies. And 2) I had a m/c only 2 months prior and had a rhogam shot. Rhogam is good for up to 3 months.

If you had bleeding prior to a + pregnancy test, you are likely fine, as there wouldn't be enough rh+ blood for antibodies to be triggered (and it sounds like implantation bleeding anyway, so that's all your own blood). Secondly, you had a rhogam only a month ago (if I'm reading correctly) so that shot is still covering you. So either way, you are totally covered.

I would call your OB and double check. They may give you a rhogam shot "just in case". Having an extra rhogam doesn't hurt you or the baby so why not? But I wouldn't feel a minute of worry right now about not getting it.

 You will definitely have a rhogam at 28 weeks and then again when you go into labor. 

Congrats on your pregnancy and welcome to the board!

 

All of this. I had a Rhogam shot with both of my m/c but only because I asked for it. The OB told me there was no need for it as stated above by Jenek. I just wanted it for peace of mind. Jenek is right about timing as well- you should be covered still. I still think you need to call your OB and have a beta done and tell them about the bleeding anyway- just in case.

KristinNP

Thanks again everyone.  Went to the doctor's today and just did the pee test which came back faint positive again due to how early this is.  Bloodwork on Monday morning for..whatever it is the bloodwork checks (newbie at this?), and then I was told to book an ultrasound so they could figure out how far along I am.  Not sure at all why this is needed as I had a miscarriage on April 17th and had two negative HPT's last week, so I can't be more than four or five weeks.  But they told me to go so I will go

 Unfortunately also got told at this appointment that I had abnormal cell readings come back from my pap last month and have to go see a gyno to get this sorted out.  Stressful!