RH negative

I just found out that I'm Rh negative; my DH is almost positive that he's Rh positive; but he's going to get retested today.

Anyone have a similar experience being negative and DH being positive?

I was told that when I conceive I'll have to get a shot of Rogam around 28 weeks.

I got freaked out when I heard this.

Re: RH negative

I am RH negative also. But we have no idea if DH is. I am only 6 weeks pg, my appointment is next week. Will they test him there, or will I have to go to my PCP?

I also thought you receive a shot after giving birth ???

Re: RH negative

Don't worry, the shot is nothing to worry about. I was in the same exact situation. I am RH neg and DH is RH pos and my doctor told me that I should get the shot to protect any future pregnancies.
I got the Rhogram shot at 28 weeks and all is well now.

Re: RH negative

I was told at 28 weeks, then at labor or after giving birth, then I think they test the baby and see if they need to give the baby a shot.

If your DH donates blood, they can tell him right away what his blood type is, thus you'll find out if he's positive or negative.

Re: RH negative

Kathy I am AB- and DH is positive. I had to get the shot when I miscarried, again when I was pregnant. It's not bad at all. But you do need to do it. I didn't have to do it after the baby was born because my daughter is A-. But it is a protection for you and for your next pregnancy. Don't fret over it. Any questions please feel free to FM me

Re: RH negative

Being RH negative has relatively nothing to do with THIS pregnancy. They give you the shot regardless of what DH is @ 28 weeks to protect you and FUTURE babies. If you have 2 different types of RH blood in your body (+ & -) your body will form antibodies and that will cause problems with future pregnancies. You should only receive the 1 shot - I don't believe they give a 2nd at birth. (I'm RH negative also )

Re: RH negative

I was RH neg and got the first shot. Then they realized DH was never tested and made him go. Turns out he was RH neg too so I didnt need anymore shots.

The shot is really not a big deal and you get it right in your "bum" and its over before you know it!

Posted by jcndd
I don't believe they give a 2nd at birth. (I'm RH negative also )

Re: RH negative

im ab- and FH is ab+ so i have gottebn rogham with my problems with bleeding etc i just got one last week.its not a big deal at all

Re: RH negative

I am neg and dh is positive also. I was told I need the shot, too.

Re: RH negative

Thanks for the info ladies, I'm glad it's not a big deal with the shot.

Re: RH negative

You will receive a shot after you give bith as well. It is really nothing to worry about.

Re: RH negative

I was RH negative (A-), but DH wasnt tested, I had my shot at 28 weeks and when the baby was born and he was A+ I had another shot. Its not a big deal really compared to all the blood tests and shots you get during pregnancy it was a piece of cake. Dont worry

Re: RH negative

This is news to me because my dr told me that one is all you need. Why would they give you 2? He has told me I won't get one after delivery that the one I got @ 28 weeks is sufficient.

Re: RH negative

because the baby's blood can mix with your blood and cause damage in other pregnancies

from web md

A woman with Rh-negative blood has nothing to worry about if her baby is also Rh-negative, and a woman with Rh-positive blood need not worry at all. Problems arise only with Rh-negative mothers and Rh-positive babies. Usually the first pregnancy goes fine. It's a subsequent Rh-positive baby who may be at risk. The mother herself is in no danger.

Normally, maternal and fetal blood supplies don't mix during pregnancy, but during childbirth, some fetal blood may enter the mother's system. If the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, the woman's immune system responds with antibodies to the Rh factor. The chances of responding, and the strength of the response, increase with each Rh-positive pregnancy. In a subsequent pregnancy these antibodies cross the placenta and enter fetal circulation. If the next fetus is also Rh-positive, the mother's antibodies destroy fetal red blood cells. The baby may be born anemic or jaundiced, and in severe cases many fetuses have died.

Although treatments are available to save affected babies - including transfusing Rh-negative blood, sometimes even prior to birth - prevention obviously makes more sense. The trick is to block the mother's immune system from becoming sensitized to the Rh factor.

An injection of anti-Rh antibodies (widely known by the trade name RhoGAM) given to the mother soon after birth neutralizes any fetal blood cells in her circulation before her immune system has a chance to respond. Subsequent pregnancies should be like the first, as if the woman was never exposed to the Rh factor. That's the theory, and quite often things work just that smoothly.

Re: RH negative

And besides being jaundiced or have anemia the baby can suffer permanent damage of the brain and central nervous system which may result in mental retardation, hearing loss, or even cerebral palsy.You should be given an injection at the 28th week of pregnancy AND then another injection within 72 hours of delivery/miscarriage/abortion. HTH

Re: RH negative

DH and I are just like you guys. I'm negative he's positive. And I had to get the rhogam. It really isn't a big deal at all. It's just 1 extra shot considering you will get poked alot while being preggo 1 more isn't much. Although, when the baby is born if he/she is positive then you will need another dose of rhogam but if they are negative like you then you won't need another shot. But it really isn't anything to be afraid of.

Message edited 8/20/2005 10:17:29 PM.