Rhogam shot question for a friend

Maybe someone on here knows the answer to this - my friend asked me b/c I've had the Rhogham shot in my pregnancies, but I don't know how this works.

Her sister just learned she and husband's combine bloodtype is Rh- (she is doing a nursing rotation). However, she had an abortion years ago, and although not ready to TTC, she is concerned about a future PG b/c she didn't have the shot as she didn't know about this issue and no one asked her.

So what happens next? Are her future pregnancies at risk?

Ultimately I obviously suggested she talk to her OB, but now I'm curious...

Message edited 1/21/2011 1:49:45 PM.

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

If she is Rh+ she has no need for the shot, it is only required for women with Rh- blood types.

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

(NM what I said)

She would have to be RH-

I am O- and had to get the shot

Message edited 1/21/2011 1:43:37 PM.

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

She wouldn't have received the shot until her 28th week. Then again if her baby was positive.

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

I am L8 and rh- and needed the shot.

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

Posted by Kidsaplenty

Posted by SweetCaroline

Posted by JerseyMamaOf2

She wouldn't have received the shot until her 28th week. Then again if her baby was positive.

I had to get one after my 1st pregnancy that ended in m/c so what would be the difference?

She would have had to get the shot, because in the event of an abortion or miscarriage you need the shot, since the two separate blood types could have mixed at some point during one of those situations.

The only reason she would not have needed a rhogam shot after her abortion is if the baby's father was Rh-. You should ask her to call and check the records because many clinics will give the rhogam shot while the woman has anesthesia.

An issue could arise if she did develop antibodies due the the absence of the Rhogam shot, and that could be checked for with a simple blood test. If she did develop antibodies she will have a high risk pregnancy that will be heavily monitored but that doesn't necessarily mean she can't have children in the future. Hope this helped.

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

It wouldn't matter unless her bloodtype is Rh-. You wouldn't get the shot if your DH had negative. It is about your body being - and recognizing a baby with + blood type as an enemy. The first baby would be okay but, subsequent babies would be looked at as a an enemy and your body would work to fight them. So the shot stops your body from producing antibodies against them. I got one after my m/c for that reason.

ETA: I read above that she is negative. So then I would assume that she probably got the shot during the abortion. If you are negative you need to get the shot during every pregnancy. So, it could affect a pregnancy if she didn't get it. The effect is worse with each pregnancy so I would make sure she finds out if she got it and if not she should let her OB know.

Message edited 1/22/2011 7:00:38 AM.

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

Posted by Kidsaplenty

Posted by SweetCaroline

Posted by JerseyMamaOf2

She wouldn't have received the shot until her 28th week. Then again if her baby was positive.

I had to get one after my 1st pregnancy that ended in m/c so what would be the difference?

She would have had to get the shot, because in the event of an abortion or miscarriage you need the shot, since the two separate blood types could have mixed at some point during one of those situations.

The only reason she would not have needed a rhogam shot after her abortion is if the baby's father was Rh-. You should ask her to call and check the records because many clinics will give the rhogam shot while the woman has anesthesia.

An issue could arise if she did develop antibodies due the the absence of the Rhogam shot, and that could be checked for with a simple blood test. If she did develop antibodies she will have a high risk pregnancy that will be heavily monitored but that doesn't necessarily mean she can't have children in the future. Hope this helped.

Re: Rhogam shot question for a friend

Technically she should have had the shot.

Depending how long ago this was they would have given her the shot regardless of the father's blood type.

An RH- woman, carrying a RH+ fetus, has a relatively low chance of becoming sensitized during the end of pregnancy. Then a larger amount during delivery.

Only a small amount of antibodies are created during the first pregnancy. In each subsequent pregnancy an RH- mom will start to develop more and more antibodies. The more antibodies she creates the greater chance that they will cross through the placenta and attack the fetus's red blood cells.

In the "old days" a mother who was RH- was encouraged to only have 2 children. Beyond that point the risk of harm to the fetus, due to sensitization was too great.

So basically...in a nut shell..if she didnt have the shot after her abortion chances are that she may have RH- Sensitization. But her antibody levels will be relatively low and shouldnt interfere with subsequent pregnancies.

Hope that helps...