RhoGam ?s

[MamaTaraX]

I did RhoGam with both of my previous preganncies. With the 1st, I did it at 32 or 34 weeks then post-partum. Same with the 2nd. I'm on the fenceabout doing it this time. I'm sitting here 28 weeks today *big ol cheesy grin* I'mhaving a homebirth. My back-up OB asked that if I wanted to do RhoGam (don't have to, it's my choice) to call them at 28 wks and comein for a blood draw and they'd give me the shot to take home. Neither time before did I do the antibody titre. Neither previous birth was traumatic (i.e. little blood). I am Rh-, my DH is Rh+ and both of my boys are Rh+. I'mreally on the fence. And I know that I don'thave to do it at 28 wks, I can put it off. I can put it off and only do it after birth. I just really can't decide. At least this time I know to go fora mercury-free version ;)

Namaste, Tara
mama to Doodle (7), Butterfly (2), and Rythm (due at home 1/06)

[Charmie981]

You really should do some research about ante-natal Rhogam before you decide.

Without giving advice, I'll tell you what I did:
I had Rhogam at 32 weeks with DS #1. Dr. was freaked out that it was "late" in my pregnancy to do it (another story for another day), and I was kinda freaked too. But all was well. DS #1 is Rh+, so I had RhoGam after delivery (I asked about his blood type before I allowed them to give me the shot).

In between, I did some research and found that Rh- status was associated with higher rates of autistic children and that they believed that relationship to be related to RhoGam that contained mercury. So I decided that I would only do thimerosal free RhoGam ever again (DUH!).

When pg with DS#2, I was with a midwife. At the beginning of your pregnancy, she gives you a "Testing and Permission Waiver Form." It has every test that she would possibly be willing to order for a pg mom, including stuff that's really unusual for a HB mom, like AFP screening. In the Rh- section, the antenatal and postpartum RhoGam are listed separately. I asked about it because I really had no idea it was even an option. She encouraged me to research the antenatal dose, and assured me that they do blood typing on baby before they give the injection. She also assured me that she would find some thimerosal free stuff for me.

I read about it and decided that unless something happened and I had a concern that my blood and baby's blood might have mixed during pregnancy, I would refuse the antenatal. I didn't KNOW baby was positive (and if the baby is neg. there is no reason to have RhoGam), I had no trauma during pregnancy (no falls, bleeding, placental issues, etc.), so I didn't do the first dose.

After birth, baby was tested and was Rh+, so I had RhoGam after the birth. To me, not getting it just isn't an option. I have no idea how many children I might have one day, and even if I plan to have a tubal ligation at 8 weeks pp, I would still opt to have RhoGam. I know that in a normal birth there's little chance of blood mixing, but I just am not willing to risk developing antibodies.

That's me, though. I know other women who would BALK at the idea of refusing the 28 week dose, and still others who flat won't have RhoGam no matter what the situation is. The key is to be informed as to the risks and benefits of the procedures (consider the 28 week and the pp dose two separate procedures), and to make your decision based on how comfortable you are with those risks and benefits :).

Good luck!!

[Pariah]

I'm getting the Rhogam at 28 weeks. I had some spotting at 9 weeks and because of all of that, to me Rhogam at 28 weeks is not optional. I'm dreading the blood draw and shot (I'm SUCH a baby with needles in a medical setting...which makes my nurse laugh at me because I have so many piercings and tattoos), but because of that spotting I really don't want to take the risk of developing antibodies (this is our first baby, I want to be able to have more!).

Like the poster above, we're going to check our baby's Rh status, and if he/she is positive, I'll get the Rhogam after the birth, too.

[MamaTaraX]

Thanks for the replies. I'm 28 wks 4 days now :) so the 28 weeks is running out as an option. Doesn't mean I can't do it otherwise though. I hadn't given a tonof thought to taking it ante-natally in respect to bleeding. I'm glad I did it last time then because I did have really bad bleeding at 13 wks with that pregnancy, and asI said before, and Rh+ baby. I haven't had time to do much research thisweek, but I'll try to tonight. ANy links that anybody has would be appreciated. I'm still torn,based on what I already know,about doing it antenatally again. Time will tell.

ETA: I am especially interested in information on exactly when to take it during pregnancy. i.e. Does it have to be at 28 wks? I did it at 32 wks both previous times.

Namaste, Tara
mama to Doodle (7), Butterfly (2), and Rythm (due at home 1/06)