Rhogam shot questions....

wannababy · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 07:14 PM

So when I had my last miscarriage the nurse said I had to get a Rhogam shot after surgery. Well I questioned my doc about it before surgery and he said that I was RH positive and didn't need the shot to prevent future miscarriages. The way I understand RH is if you are positive then you do not need a shot and if you are RH negative you do need to get these shots. My question is, do you need to get DH tested to see if his blood is RH negative? Has anyone done this? Just curious if I should request to get DH tested of some kind to see if we are compatible or not.

girlie_mama · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 08:24 PM

Well, I am RH- and DH is RH+. I need to have the Rhogam shot because there is a chance a baby of mine could have the +bloodtype and cause problems. Luckily both my girls are RH- and I didn't need the shot after birth. I was under the impression that the problem is if you are RH-. It would be worth asking.

dmg05 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 05:16 AM

My aunt was RH- and had to get the shots all through her pregnancies. The shots are to prevent your body from treating the baby as a infection or virus and killing it. I don't think it matters what your partner is.

Kimberly · #4 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 05:42 AM

If you are Rh positive you don't need it....from everything I know, I agree with your doctor.

Tanya · #5 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 05:46 AM

The only time you need the shot is when you are RH - your hubbys RH factor does not matter.

wannababy · #6 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 06:59 AM

Oh ok....i just didn't know if my hubby needed to get tested and then it would possibly cause me to get the shot. Cool! Thanks for the info ladies!

Leah_is_waiting · #7 (**permalink**) 03-15-2008, 05:43 AM

Actually, it does depend on your DH's blood type as well as yours...since you are a positive blood type, it doesn't matter either way, but for all you neg. ladies out there.(like me)..if your DH blood type is positive (as is my dh's) then you MAY need the rhogam shot, as the baby could have positive blood and you would need the shot then.

But if you are a pos blood type, no need to worry!

Here's an article I found:

Treatment of Rh incompatibilities
If you already have antibodies for the Rh factor your doctor will want to monitor you and baby closely. If your baby is Rh negative, no treatment will be needed. (If both baby's mother and father have Rh negative blood type baby will be Rh negative, however Rh positive fathers can produce Rh negative or Rh positive babies.) If your baby is Rh negative, your doctor will have to run tests to monitor your baby's status. She may check your blood for antibody levels. She may also check your amniotic fluid for breakdown of baby's red blood cells. The ultimate goal will be to hold off delivery until baby is mature at around 36-37 weeks, but it may be necessary to deliver baby early if baby shows signs of distress. Sometimes doctors will recommend an intrauterine transfusion for baby. As with all procedures there are risks involved.

Thankfully with advancements in technology Rh incompatibility is usually very preventable and treatable.

girlie_mama · #8 (**permalink**) 03-15-2008, 06:01 AM

You are right Leah...

I am - and my DH is +. I only needed the shot at 28 weeks because both my girls were - at birth. My dr. was adamant to know my DH's blood type so they could have it on record. I think it is good to know anyway what your families blood type is. RH+ mom's don't need the shot.

That was interesting to read Leah. Thanks!