So, I was told at today's appointment that I'm Rh negative and therefore need a RhoGAM shot after 28 weeks.
Has anyone else had this happen (this pregnancy or previous?)?? The nurse said it's not uncommon, but she didn't necessarily say it's common, either. I had heard about Rh incompatibility in the past, but didn't really do any reading/research until tonight. It seems like a logical next step (although, the logistics come from me reading on the internet, not my doctor, so, I could be way off) is actually to test the father's blood, because if he is also Rh negative, the baby does not have a chance of being Rh positive and therefore his blood couldn't affect me or subsequent pregnancies.
I guess I'll be calling my doctor in a few days for a recap of what he told me today...I wrote a lot down, but it also seemed like a lot to hear all at once (and because I had been anxious about the visit anyway, and I had just heard baby's healthy, strong heartbeat and was finally relaxing and NOT worrying for a change, I didn't comprehend as much as normal).
In the meantime...please share anything you know about this! Maybe it's super common and I just am oblivious...THANKS!! :-)
Re: Rh Incompatibility and RhoGAM?
The baby is fine, but the issue is with us. If by chance the baby had +RH and their blood passes through the placenta we would be ok at first but recurrent incidences of it (next pregnancies) could cause issues for us as far as fertility. This is the wicked simple understanding I have of it from when I asked my OB about it. She of course gave a really scientific reason with diagram (pretty neat) but I can't remember that now. Ahha
The only thing I can tell you about Rhogam is that it's a shot in your butt and it HURTS. (At least it did for me all 4 times).
ETA: the 2 times I had it was actually 4 (the two pregnancies is what I meant).
Also, I've seen people on the bump stress about whether they should get it or not, and I think if a medical professional is offering it and you're rh- and dad is rh+ or unknown, definitely get it. You don't want to get sensitized.
BFP 2: 11/16/13 EDD: 8/3/14
Baby Brody born 8/1/14!!!