All Communities > RH- Blood and it's Incompatibility > My experience

My experience

Angie - posted on 12/09/2009 ( 6 moms have responded )

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I'm currently pregnant with my first baby and recently found out that I'm RH- and have to get a Rhogam shot. For those who aren't aware of the Rhogam shot, it's taken as an immunization. With RH- mothers-to-be with babies who might be RH+, this shot is very necessary... so I'm told. To make a long story short, the shot tricks your body into thinking you have the RH factor in your blood(when you are RH- and this factor is absent.) Otherwise, your body will sense the RH factor in your babies body, and will create antibodies to destroy the RH factor in their blood. The issue with this is, when you get pregnant a second time around, you will have many complications due to the antibodies that your body has created in the first pregnancy. You may miscarry, have a stillborn baby, or the baby could be born jaundice and need a blood transfusion.
The task of having to make this decision, to get the shot or to refuse it, has put a lot of stress on me. I don't really know anyone whose been through this, and my doctor hasn't really given me much to go on. All I have regarding information on RH Incompatibility is the biased opinions written online, where most of them are against the Rhogam shot.
I put this community together with the hopes that other Mothers who have been through this same situation could come forward with their experiences and advice regarding Rhogam. I've also made it for mothers-to-be, like me, who are looking for a little advice and support on the subject.
I'd like to thank everyone in advance for any help they can give me, and other mothers like me!

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Marie - posted on 06/27/2012

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Yes,Yes,Yes!!!
Get the shot, it does not mean that you will ever miscarry. You need to protect yourself and the baby! I am RH- and have two healthy girls. My first baby had the same blood type RH- and my second baby has B-

Right after you deliver the baby, you will need another shot. Please make sure you get it! Try not to worry, enjoy!
Marie Engler

Dawn - posted on 06/26/2012

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I am RH- negative and became sensitized during my first delivery,although I did not know that I was sensitized when we go pregnant with our second child. From the first round of labs that were done at aprox. 8 wks along, i was told it was a high risk pregnancy, and I made it pretty far into my pregnancy ( 33 wks) before my titers got to a dangerous level. Due to being sensitized I was not able to get the rogram shot, as it would do nothing for me. I had more ultrasounds then I could ever have wanted, to keep a close eye on my baby to make sure her lungs were not filling w/ fluid. And when I got to the 37 wk mark, i was scheduled to be induced. Two days after being admited, my baby girl was here.
There was so many specialist in that delivery room..the doc's had no idea what to expect, we were told to expect anything from being born in cardiac arrest to slighly jaundice. So when she was born and looked perfect, I thought we really dodged a bullet. They took her for labs and as soon as those results came back, my world came crashing down. She was immediatly taken from me, and put under the bili lights, because her bilirubin was too high. But the it kept rising and rising over a week. The numbers just wouldnt come down.
Finally they started coming down, well after a week in the NICU. Then we were faced with a blood transfusion, due to the RH incompatability. And I was a nervous wreck..I just wanted it done! In the end it was such a small amount of blood..it was two teaspoons they pumped into her.And then they had to wait and watch, and watch and watch..before I knew it another week went by. Then it was finally time to head home, when she starte destating!! i though OMG, I am not meant to have this baby at home. So another few days in the NICU...we got to day 17 and I was finally able to bring my angel home. And I have no looked back.
I am taking her next week for follow up blood work to be sure the transfusion was a complete success...but she is a healthy, happy , bouncing baby girl!!
I know the NICU stay is hard..i had a 5 yr old at home and it was hell juggling her and the baby. And I know the treatment for the RH disease is scary..but you will get through it!

Lisa - posted on 08/30/2010

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Same here I have three son And got the shot everytime also when I miscarried three time so I had the shot 6 times and I am fine I know its hard any question I will try and help

take care

Allison - posted on 02/25/2010

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Hi I am RH- myself, and have 3 children, 2 girls and 1 boy! With all 3 of them I had the Rhogam shot and would highly recomend it to anybody who is RH-. I even had the shot when I had my miscarriage inbetween my two girls. The shot not only keeps you and your current baby safe, it also saves you for the future if you decide to have more babies one day!

Stacey - posted on 01/31/2010

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Hi!
Please get the Rhogam shot! I'm Rh- and was sensitized with my first pregnancy at 20 weeks, so I was unable to get the shot. The doctors have no idea how our bloods mixed either since I didn't have any kind of trauma before or during. Anyway, once you get sensitized there is no going back. Each pregnancy will be effected and I was told each one will become more serious. I'm on my second pregnancy right now and so far nothing too serious has happened, but that can always change (and I worry constantly). If for some reason you do end up getting sensitized there are amazing specialists out there that will help you along the way and will give you and your baby the best care.

Stephanie - posted on 01/13/2010

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Hi there,

I had a miscarriage over a year ago, and had gotten the Rhogam shot when at the hospital finding out that i was miscarrying. I am now just about 26 weeks pregnant and am going to get the Rhogam shot again. I don't want to chance anything. Obviously if the shot is there and meant to help you it's beneficial to get it.

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