Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

I was told yesterday that since I am RH- I might need to start getting Rhogam Shots. We are just waiting on the confirmation of DH's blood type. I just googled Rhogam Shots and I am NOT liking what I read.
Has anyone had to have this? Is there a risk to the baby? Can we (me and baby) really get numerous diseases from this?
How often do we have to get this shot? Does it really hurt?
Sorry I am freaking out right now and could any help at this point.

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

Not sure what you read, but I did a lot of research. In fact, it is pretty common. I had my shot yesterday, it didn't hurt much, they did it in my upper arm. You have one shot when you are pregnant, around 28 weeks. Then when the baby is born, if there blood type is + then you get another shot. That is it. It doesn't hurt the baby or have any effect on them. Any subsequent pregnancies you will do the same thing. It is so your body doesn't build up antibodies fighting off the + blood type in case they mix.

Don't worry about it!

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

you will need the rhogam injection if you are Rh factor negative and your husband is Rh factor positive.

the reason why is, if your baby is Rh positive and you are exposed to its blood (which commonly happens at some point in the pregnancy) then your body will make antibodies to the positive Rh factor, because your body sees that factor as "foreign".

the presence of those antibodies won't affect your current baby, but your NEXT Rh positive baby is at risk for many complications because when your body "sees" its blood it will reject the fetus.

the rhogam shot prevents this from happening. you get two shots, one at 28 weeks and another around the time of birth. the shots are given in the hip. i had read that they were very painful, but having just had one i can tell you that it didn't hurt AT ALL.

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

This is nothing to worry about. I got a rhogam shot at 28 weeks and will get one again after I deliver. It will protect the baby for many diseases like anemia incase your blood mixes with babies blood during delivery.

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

I had to get the shot at 28 wks because I have negative blood. That is the only shot you need until the baby is born and if the baby is born with different blood they will give it to you again at that point. You need to get it during pregnancy because on the small chance that your blood mixes and the baby is positive - it may hurt your changes to have another healthy pregnancy - so why take the risk.

The shot is totally fine and cannot hurt you or the baby. I looked into this a great deal before I took it. For a few years the shot contained thimerisol which led to worries and lawsuits, however, as far as I know none of the shots today contain thimerisol already. Ask your dr. and make sure that your shot does not have any preservatives in it and you will be fine.

Also, it didn't hurt at all. Hope this helps

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

I am usually very anti vaccinations, but I get the Rhogam shot. I just request it to be thimerisol free.

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

I had it done with my son five years ago. It did not hurt at all. Now I'm having my second and I need it again. I'm going on the 24th. The hassle for me was that I have to go to North Shore Hosp and pick up the serum and bring it to my doctor....Crazy!

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

You receive the shot at 28 weeks and then again if your child has a postive blood type. You need this shot in order to have susequent children. If you don't then your body will reject the fetus because of the blood type. I had the shot done in my arm and it hurt for a second. They recommend putting injecting it in a fatty place like your butt but I couldn't be bothered. I had it with both my pregnancies both 2 times each.

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

Basically you have to have the shot. This isnt a vaccination or anything like that. Not getting the shot could really effect future pregnancies. Im Rh- and all my children are Rh+...Im done having children but my doctor still encoraged me to have the shot "just in case" I changed my mind.

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

I had the shot...it really isnt' a big deal. I got the shot at 28 weeks, and will have another shortly after the baby is born. the second shot is to prevent my body from fighting off a fetus should I get pregnant again and the baby be RH+. You dont really have a choice about the shot. It was a little stingy, but really, not a big deal.

Dont worry...it is more common than you think!

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

I have to get the same shot b/c I am O-. It has nothing to do with DH.

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

I had to have it (I'm A-). It's no worse than any other shot, though this one was in my upper butt cheek. I'll have another one after the birth. No biggie.

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

I think this is the shot I was told I don't have to have. DH and I are both A- so they said there is no way of the baby having positive blood. Right?

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots

Re: Do you know anything about the Rhogam Shots