Postpartum rhogam shot

[bluedaisy]

With my DD, I did extensive research on rhogam and decided to only get the postpartum shot and only if DD was positive.  In brief, I felt that the 28 week shot did not offer much more protection than the postpartum shot and there were too many unknown risks to the baby.

DD was positive, so I did get the postpartum shot.

I am pg with #2 now - DH wants to be done after this one, I want one more but wouldn't be devastated if we had to stop at 2.

I'm planning a natural birth in a birth center and as long as the birth goes as I have planned I am considering not getting the postpartum rhogam.

My understanding is that in a natural birth, the mom and baby's blood typically does not mix - most of the time when it does mix it's caused by medical interventions. 

So I think my chances of being sensitized would be pretty low with a natural birth.  Plus, if we're done after this one it doesn't really matter if I become sensitized after birth.

However, I am a little concerned if we do decide to have a third - I would hate to go through the interventions and high risk category that would come from being sensitized.

The main reason I don't want the rhogam is because we don't do vaccines and I'm really uncomfortable with injecting a blood product into my body - we try to be as natural as possible and I only take any kind of medicine when it's absolutely essential.

Has anyone decided not to get rhogam postpartum?  Is my understanding correct, or would I still have a high chance of becoming sensitized?  What would you do?

[MacKinnon]

My situation was a bit more unique, I am technically A+ and don't need the shot. I had two losses and a full term pregnancy, no shot. Then I had extensive blood work done for an unrelated issue, and I came back so weakly positive that they felt I needed Rhogham. Apparently, positive and negative-ness is on a sliding scale, and I'm pretty much smack dab in the middle. So, I got the shot with my DS. And then, I had more blood work done, and they determined I now had the Duffy (?) factor, and no longer needed the shot. I'm still not clear on this, but this was a high risk OB, following a third loss, who decided I didn't need Rhogham any more. I went on to deliver at a free-standing birth center. Honestly, I was willing to get the shot, despite my usual non-vaxing. I didn't want to risk sensitizing. I do think your chances are pretty low in a natural birth, and you could always wait, have the baby tested, and then go in after birth, you have 72 hours.

[RachaelsMommy]

Personally, I would probably get the shot if the baby is positive just to be on the safe side. You never know if you will change your mind down the road, or have an "oopsie", and it would probably be worth it to not get the high risk label in a future pregnancy.

[hildare]

personally, though we don't vax, i do take the rhogam shot.  i have not ever found any convincing science-based reason not to.  however, i do have a history of m/c and that is something that you cannot plan for.  i didn't get the shot after dd was born as she ended up having the same type as i do. so you never know- you might not even need it! 

i believe (i could be wrong, just ask the name brand of the shot) that there isn't mercury in most of them now, and they heavily test now the plasma used for any diseases, i just don't see the risk in doing it.  i have read plenty about the reasons and what can happen if not, though. and unless you get a tubal or something right then, you never know about a third child, either.  i'd rather be very safe with using something that offers pretty much no risk factors.

[emmaegbert]

personally I wouldn't consider not doing it as an rh- woman with an rh+ partner and 3 rh+ kids. My third was unplanned (birth control failure). even though DH is getting a vasectomy, I still did the PP rhogam after this baby.

even my really anti-vax MW with our second said she recommends rhogam and has seen no evidence of their being any risk from it. As for risks of not doing it- I don't consider just the risk of miscarriage, but also rh disease which is not insignificant and I think that you are right if you consider how many more risks your possible future children might have if you become sensitized.

We do have the babies' blood type checked before we decide on the shot.

[contactmaya]

I always do the post partum shot.  Even if you dont plan on  having another child, you never know what the future holds. You cant predict how your birth will go either, or know for sure whether or not blood will be mixed. The shot is a simple way to avoid any of these risks.