Rhogam shot

[GranolaGirl]

Does anyone have info/links/opinions etc on the rhogam shot?

TIA

[Amila]

Ive posted about this here before, but since the search link is disabled I will give you a quick opinion. I opted to NOT get the 28-week prenatal dose- too much is unknown about the risks to the fetus, plus I didn't think it was really necessary as blood doesn't normally mix in a healthy pregnancy unless some kind of trauma occurs. Also, if the babe is negative you would have gotten it for nothing. If my baby is positive after birth, I will get the shot. The package insert really helped me decide all this- it states that without ANY Rhogam either during or after pregnancy, you have a 12-13% chance of becoming sensitized, with ONLy the post-pregnancy dose, your chances are about 1-2%, and with BOTH doses, your risk drops to .01-.02%. Here is the link where you can find the package insert:
http://www.orthoclinical.com/Products/products.aspx?id=9

I also found some links I saved with previous discussions regarding Rhogam:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=288233
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=258070

And here are some other links:

http://www.thebirthsource.homestead.com/rh.html
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/rhogam.htm
http://www.withwoman.co.uk/contents/info/antid.html

ALSO, the book: Anti-D in Midwifery: Panacea or Paradox? by Sara Wickham is GREAT!

Good Luck!

[maxmama]

I chose to get the 28-week shot last time, and will this time as well. It's true that it's unlikely to have a maternal-fetal bleed in the absence of trauma, but it can happen. I'm sensitized to the Kell antigen (very similar to Rh) from my pregnancy with my son, during which I had no known trauma or risk for bleed (the Kell antibody was positive on my immediate mother-baby studies postpartum, too early for it to have come from delivery). Having an isoimmunized pregnancy is not fun, and I've spent this pregnancy having titers drawn every two to four weeks. If my titers rise too much, then I'll need a cordocentesis and possible transfusions. I'm okay with a theoretical risk from RhoGAM versus risking another isoimmunization.

[GranolaGirl]

thanks so much for the links-I forgot to add a couple things, and if it helps anyone advise me better, I'm appreciative :)

1)I did not have the shot AFTER my last babe (only child) I assume this means she's negative.

2)this will be our last (bio) child, due to health reasons-DH will be getting the V.

3)I have had no bleeding or any trauma so far (11w)

4)i am at a high risk for csection due to heart problems

[lizabird]

If both you and your DH are Rh-negative you don't have to get the shot. You just have to prove your DH's blood type is negative.

[AmieV]

I can't ever spell it but I got Rophylac this pregnancy at 28 weeks instead of BayRhod. It's supposed to be cleaner preservative wise. I would research what happens when you do become sensitized to decide whether it's worth it to you to cut something down from a 1-2% risk to .02-.03. For me it definitely was when you're looking at the possibility of a blood transfusion through amnio. But, 1-2% is very, very small too and most likely you'd be fine without it. I'd always do it postnatally after a positive baby even if you think you're done with kids just because you never know!

[Lou]

I also chose not to get the shot... but would have if there was any type of trauma that could have caused bleeding.

Read up, and do what feels right to you! :thumb

[reiterin]

I chose not to get the 28 week shot, but after the birth if the baby tests positive I will get that one.