I screwed up - what to do now?

[chlobo]

So I just had my second child. I am RH-. I declined rhogam during pregnancy but for some odd reason I caved afterwards and decided to get the shot.

I'm very concerned both about my own health but also that my baby might ingest whatever my body is trying to detox now via breastmilk.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Anything I can take to help this process or my baby?

[LemonPie]

According to Dr Hale (2006 book):

RHO(D) immune globulin is an immune globulin prepared from human plasma containing high concentrations of Rh antibodies. Only trace amounts of anti-Rh are present in colostrum and none in mature milk in women receiving large doses or Rh immune globulin. No untoward effects have been reported. Most immunoglobulins are destroyed in the gastric [stomach] acidity of the newborn infant. Rh immunge globulins are not contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers. Lactation risk category: L2. No pediatric concerns.

I'm not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but I hope it helps!
Jen

[gottaknit]

If your baby is Rh+ and you're planning to have more in the future... I don't think getting Rhogam was such a big mistake. : : I declined the prenatal shot for both pregnancies, too, because it didn't make sense to me and I didn't want to expose the babies unnecessarily. But I doubt much is going to get through the breastmilk with the postpartum shot.

[bryonyvaughn]

Originally Posted by chlobo

So I just had my second child. I am RH-. I declined rhogam during pregnancy but for some odd reason I caved afterwards and decided to get the shot.

Well I'm cautious speaking because I know there are big fans of anti-D immune globulin on these boards *but* I'm glad you avoided it during pregnancy. IMO it's safest to avoid all risks of blood mixing (CVS, amnio, rough external version, etc) rather than taking the risk and relying on anti-D. What most doctor's don't explain to mothers is if the blood mixes so that an iso-immune mother's blood can get into the baby and attack the baby's cells, the anti-D in a non-iso mother's blood can also get into the baby and attack the baby's cells.

I'm very concerned both about my own health but also that my baby might ingest whatever my body is trying to detox now via breastmilk.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Anything I can take to help this process or my baby?

Well the good news is in no longer contains mercury. Anti-D is a human blood product so you did get a dose of a myriad of viruses for which they don't screen donors. Thankfully you can produce antibodies and pass them on through your breast milk to your little one. My recommendation is eat a good diet (avoid refined and processed foods... especially sugar and HFCS), get plenty of sleep, and take any natural immune boosters you might when something is going around (vit C, elderberry, echinacea, etc.)

Be at peace, momma.

~BV

[mwherbs]

well it is a blood product- now it is checked and cross checked for the known risks-- and the preservative is not mercury so not much for your body to detox- in the early post partum period many women sweat quite a bit to rid the body of extra fluids. There are other symptoms that are of concern and should be checked out like fever, vomiting and chills, strong smelling discharge- these could be sighs of infection but continue to nurse the baby- be sure you are getting enough fluids, food and rest.

take care