Can someone tell me about RH Negative??

[jenmgo]

Hi all, I posted this on the check in but it was suggested I make a seperate thread.

I am 13 weeks along and found out yesterday I am RH negative. My doctor didnt really tell me much but gave me pamphlet that basically says my body will treat the baby like a foreign object and it can result in miscarriages/stillborn etc. How scary. My hubby has a positive blood type and im negative. So i think i have to get something called Rogam (sp?)

It sounds like a scary situation though. I would hate to have anything happen. I know my friends friend lost her baby due to being RH negative. And i've heard it affects future pregnancies or is worse if you've had a miscarriage, abortion etc in the past.

Can someone fill me in, maybe EASE my mind a little? Anyone else RH Negative?
Oh, i also found out my thyroid is on the 'low' side, whatever that means so they retook blood for more testing.

Any advice appreciate. Thanks!

 

[autumn]

Hi all, I posted this on the check in but it was suggested I make a seperate thread.

I am 13 weeks along and found out yesterday I am RH negative. My doctor didnt really tell me much but gave me pamphlet that basically says my body will treat the baby like a foreign object and it can result in miscarriages/stillborn etc. How scary. My hubby has a positive blood type and im negative. So i think i have to get something called Rogam (sp?)

It sounds like a scary situation though. I would hate to have anything happen. I know my friends friend lost her baby due to being RH negative. And i've heard it affects future pregnancies or is worse if you've had a miscarriage, abortion etc in the past.

Can someone fill me in, maybe EASE my mind a little? Anyone else RH Negative?
Oh, i also found out my thyroid is on the 'low' side, whatever that means so they retook blood for more testing.

Any advice appreciate. Thanks!

Jen ~ Your body will treat an Rh+ baby as a foreign object if you have antibodies. The Rh antibodies are formed when the blood of a Rh+ baby passes into the Rh- mom's circulation. This happens during gestation and at delivery. The RhoGAM basically immunizes you so that your body does not produce anitbodies. Typically, Rh factor is not a concern in the first pregnancy.

 

[jenmgo]

Thank you. What if someone has had a miscarriage/abortion before the pregnancy or what if one tries to have a baby for the second time after the first is born? Just wondering since u said its not an issue with the first pregnancy.

 

[autumn]

Thank you. What if someone has had a miscarriage/abortion before the pregnancy or

If a woman is Rh-, she should have RhoGAM to prevent antibody formation (though some health care providers don't feel it is necessary in early loss).

what if one tries to have a baby for the second time after the first is born? Just wondering since u said its not an issue with the first pregnancy

She should have received RhoGAM during the first pregnancy to prevent antibody formation.

 

[RachelN]

I am RH negative. I received the shot during both of my pregnancys and after both birth's. I had two very uneventful and healthy pregnancys and have two healthy girls!

Hope this helps.

Rachel

 

[CassieRN]

I am Rh negative and my husband is Rh positive. I had two miscarriages (at 8 and 13 weeks) and received RhoGam after each. When I was pregnant with my two children I received RhoGam at 16 weeks (after amniocentesis), at 28 weeks, and again after their births, as each is Rh positive.

With RhoGam, the difficulties of Rh negative mother carrying subsequent Rh positive babies to term is really not an issue now.

Good luck and congrats

Cassie

 

[melimcn]

Same here. I'm RH-, and DH (and now DS) are both RH+. I got Rhogam at 9 weeks (I was spotting at that point), 28 weeks and after delivery of DS.

DS is a healthy little guy!

 

[jenmgo]

Thank you everyone, that helps me feel a little better. I am almost 14 weeks a long and out of the first trimester. Is it normal for the doctors to wait so long to give me the meds i will need? Or shot or whatever it is.

 

[autumn]

Thank you everyone, that helps me feel a little better. I am almost 14 weeks a long and out of the first trimester. Is it normal for the doctors to wait so long to give me the meds i will need? Or shot or whatever it is.

RhoGAM is given 1) at 28 weeks gestation, 2) following invasive procedures ie, amnio, 3) after miscarriage/abortion, and 4) within 72 hours after delivery if necessary. If your baby is Rh-, you will not receive RhoGAM after delivery.

 

[melimcn]

Thank you everyone, that helps me feel a little better. I am almost 14 weeks a long and out of the first trimester. Is it normal for the doctors to wait so long to give me the meds i will need? Or shot or whatever it is.

Yeah, the only reason I got RhoGam at 9 weeks was because I was spotting. Otherwise, I would not have gotten it until 28 weeks.