Rhogam shot for Rh-negative blood types...are you getting it?

sweetyjenj · May 2016

Hey ladies!! A while I had heard about the issues of the mother having negative blood type and the baby having a positive blood type, then last night I was looking more into it. For mothers with negative blood type that have partners with positive blood type, it's possible the baby will also have positive, and the mother's body can see the fetus as a foreign intruder and will attack it. There's a shot out there that can prevent the attacking if this is the case. I have very rare blood, O- I can donate to anyone, but I can only receive O-, and only 6% of the population have it

I once needed surgery and had to donate 2 pints of blood to myself beforehand in case I needed blood and they didn't have enough!!! I might ask my doctor if I need to do the same in case something goes wrong in labor, if I even can.

Anyone else hear anything about the Rhogam shot, have you had it, did you need it but opted out, what has been your experience with this?? Thanks!!

cjs260 · May 2016

*TW* I am A-. I had it with my previous MC, and I had it just Monday with a bout of spotting. It is imperative to receive this shot prior to giving birth if you are a negative blood type. The risk isn't necessarily with your current baby, but the next time you conceive. The reason is, when you give birth (or miscarry), you and your baby's blood mixes. If you have a negative blood type, when this mix happens your body recognizes the (possible) RH protein on the blood cells in your baby's blood as an intruder. You therefore build up antibodies against the RH protein, and the next time you get pregnant (if it is also a RH positive - or blood type positive) baby, then your body will reject it. I believe you get the shot twice, once in the 2nd trimester and once in the 3rd, if everything goes correctly.

Edit for grammar.

LastMango · May 2016

What @cjs260 said. I'm not even sure you're allowed to opt out of it? Someone correct me if wrong but I don't know why anyone would.

sweetyjenj · May 2016

@cjs260 Thank you! I feel better knowing it's less likely to affect my current pregnancy. I'll have to bring it up to my doctor at my next appointment.
@LastMango i agree, something like this I can't imagine choosing not to, but I think everyone does have a choice to get it. I will, though!

cjs260 · May 2016

@sweetyjenj I just want to add that if you have any spotting or bleeding let your nurse\ob know that you're spotting and you're RH-. They will be sure to give you the rhogam just as a precaution.

ChaoticWolf · May 2016

@LastMango yes in the US you can opt out of the rhogram shot, as well as the vitamin K and antibiotic drops in the babies eyes that are typically done after birth.

katesmama0706 · May 2016

@PaukMeKiande just curious, but why would someone opt out of the Rhogram shot? DH and I are both + blood types so we shouldn't ever deal with this but I don't understand why someone would say no?

cjs260 · May 2016

@katesmama0706 I would assume for the same reason people refuse blood transfusions or vaccines. Maybe religious reasons or simply uninformed (or misinformed) decisions. (This is in no way meant to be mean towards either groups of people).

katesmama0706 · May 2016

@cjs260 interesting. Thanks!

KarliQ88 · May 2016

I doubt they will allow you to donate to yourself now because you are pregnant. Usually pregnant women are not allowed to donate at all. If you need blood more than likely you'll get someone else's. If that makes you nervous you can ask if a family member would donate. My guess is someone somewhere also has 0- . it is very safe though. Every bag of blood is tested for blood borne diseases such as hep c and HIV. This risk is so so incredibly small.
But the shot is a good idea for any - blood type. I'm A+ so i don't have this problem but i would get it if i were a -.

ChaoticWolf · May 2016

@katesmama0706 well, just look at your own case. If you are Rh positive, then there's no need for you to get the shot. The incompatibility happens when you are negative and the baby is positive. Some people like the least amount of intervention possible. If you know for certain you're positive, then why would you get it if it's an extra unnecessary step?

susykat77 · May 2016

What is husband is negative and egg donor was negative... do I need to ask my doc about this?

katesmama0706 · May 2016

@susykat77 definitely ask your doctor. It's nothing to really worry about because it's easily managed and will come up in your normal bloodwork but touch base with your doctor to put yourself at ease.

Edited because TB ate the last half of my post.

sweetyjenj · May 2016

@KarliQ88 i didn't know I couldn't give blood, but good to know!! Makes total sense. I dont mind receiving blood from the hospital bank, I just know my blood is more rare. Hopefully I don't even need it!

nan814 · May 2016

I will likely be given the shot. I received it in December 2013 when I started bleeding during that pregnancy and again in January 2014 when that pregnancy ended. I was given the shot again during my subsequent pregnancy, but only have having bloodwork done to determine if the previous injections were still "there." I assume it will be needed again this time around since the time span between injections is longer.

aishmc · May 2016

TW
I have O- blood and received Rhogam 5 years ago after a loss. I've been bleeding for more than 2 weeks, likely due to "vanishing twin" so I've got an appointment to get an injection on Tuesday. It's important to me that I get it since my husband and I do plan on having more than one kid if we can.

Some people have chosen not to receive Rhogam due to the fact that it was developed using plasma and some people/religions do not support receiving blood products. Some people have also refused due to strong opinions regarding injections/vaccinations.

missnickss · June 2016

I have B- with only a 4.4% in the USA have this blood type. Im periodically donating throughout the year to the red cross as well as donating to myself incase anything happens. With my two previous pregnancies my ex husband has A- but I ended up having the rhogam anyway because of early bleeding. With this baby I am RH- and my SO is A+ this time around. I am only 9 weeks today but I have already had my Rhogam shot again due to early bleeding (hospital wont let you leave without it) With my to previous I only had the 2nd one at 28 weeks but didn't need it before or after labor. Not sure how it is going to go this time around I guess because its more of a risk if I don't get them.

missnickss · June 2016

and its not just made from anyones plasma its created with your own. they draw your blood before hand and create the specific dose just for you with your own.

gapeachrn · June 2016

@missnickss I may be completely confused about your post but are you saying they make the Rhogam from your own blood? That is false information. Rhogam is created by a drug company and does not come from your own blood. It's a standard dose for everyone as well.

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