Rh- & Rhogam shot

Brittany - posted on 08/04/2011

My mom had it way back in '69 after my brother was born. She didn't have a single problem and had 3 successful pregnancies after. We are all Rh+. To the best of my knowledge she only got the shot with my brother (although I could be wrong).

Katrina - posted on 08/04/2011

I knew I was going to need it because of my blood is neg & my husband is pos. I had no issues with the shot & our daughter was born healthy. I know if you do not get it, there is a risk in your child being born with disabilities and a short life span. Not trying to scare you, but it is a possibility.

Jane - posted on 08/04/2011

Basically, yes. The goal is to keep the mom from developing antibodies to the + factor.

If both parents are Rh- then the child will be Rh-, but if the Dad is Rh+ then the child will be Rh+ because Rh positive is dominant, Rh negative is recessive.

However, this is such an important reaction that the shot is given just in case when the father's blood type isn't known. It will do no harm if the dad is Rh- and will prevent great harm if he is Rh+.

Phyllis - posted on 08/04/2011

so if the first child is Rh- she can get the shot after the birth to protect the second child. If the first child is Rh+ (which I assume you can't know for sure even if the Dad is + O??) she would need to get the shot during pregnancy. Did I get that correct? thanks so much for helping us sort this out!

Jane - posted on 08/04/2011

My aunt was Rh negative before the advent of Rhogam. She had four children. The first two were also Rh negative, but the last two were positive and almost killed her. In addition, both children needed full body transfusions at birth to survive - and interestingly enough both have ended up with major learning disabilities. Be very glad this shot exists! It is life changing and life saving.



I had a miscarriage and was given the shot right afterward to protect future pregnancies. There was a slight sting, but no other reaction at all.



If your first child is Rh+ you need the shot to protect the next child you might have - it is designed to keep you from developing antibodies against that next child's blood in case that child is also Rh+.

Phyllis - posted on 08/04/2011

My daughter is pregnant with her first child. I am a Neg. blood type and so is she. So when she was born 32 years ago I didn't need a shot. When I had her brother - he was a positive blood type so I had the shot AFTER he was born. This was almost 30 years ago. They didn't give you this shot during the pregnancy back then. The doctors are telling her to get the shot by the end of this month (this is without knowing the blood type of the Dad first!). I don't understand why - for a first child - you would need to get this shot during pregnancy. I have read through all the responses to this post, so I see that people feel it is safe, but why get it if it is not needed until after the birth?

Kristen - posted on 01/12/2010

Hi Sarah,

I am also Rh- and had to get the Rhogam Shot. I was a little worried at first but after researching it I was ok with it. You will get your first one around this time, and you will get another after the baby is born. I reacted fine to the shot and my Daughter turns 3 in March and she is advanced as far as education and milestones. Dont worry about it too much, you and your precious bundle of joy will be fine!

Shauna - posted on 01/12/2010

I am also rh-, It stung for a second buts its best for you and the baby. You have nothing to worry about but you do need to get it by 28weeks bc that is when your blood mixes with the babies. I had no reaction to the shot and my son was completely healthy. i did have to get another shot tho after he was born bcause he was not negative.

Jami - posted on 01/12/2010

I also had to get the shot for being RH-. then i had to get the shot again after my daughter was born because she isnt RH-. the shot only burns for a second. i had no side effects or anything. She was born two days overdue at 9 lbs 4 ounces and completely healthy!!!

Jesse - posted on 01/12/2010

I am RH- as well. The shot's no big deal really, it burns alittle but it's for you and the baby's saftey. I am on pregnancy #7 and I even had to have it with my miscarriages. They'll give you one now and one after the baby is born just incase his/her blood isn't compatable with yours and has mixed. I have had 3 children and all of them were born healthy and happy as I'm sure the 4th one will be. My rhogam is coming up at my next visit. Granted I'm not looking forward to it but I will be glad once it is done and over with.



Good luck.

Melissa - posted on 01/12/2010

I had the same thing.. it was no big deal at all. I had to get two shots in my hip one b4 my daughter was born and one after. The shots were nothing compared to labor! My daughter is very healthy. I believe that this is very common.

Nicole - posted on 01/12/2010

Hello, I have an 11 mo old son. I found out I was RH- and had a iron defficiancy early in my pregnancy so my docotor and I discussed what it meant and the percautions. I had two rogams in the duration of my pregnancy and one 1 day after delivery because my son was RH+. The only problem we had was jaundice which is very common in normal pregnancies as well and had nothing to do with me. I hate needles and the rogam shots were the only needle pricks I did not feel or had a reaction to. If you have any questions I will be happy to help if possible.



stay @ home mom

nicole m.

Tanya - posted on 01/12/2010

i received the shot when i was pregnant. Its really not that bad, but essential to you r health and baby health. If you are rh- and your baby happens to be rh+ you and baby blood starts attacking eachother and can be harmful. I'm rh- my daughter is also rh-. She was born with jaundice although the drs assured me it was not to do with the blood types. Its important - do take the shot. and as long as baby is born rh- as well you do not need another shot until next pregnancy

Ashley - posted on 01/12/2010

i got the shot.you got nothing to worry about..

Stephanie - posted on 01/12/2010

I'm not going to lie the shot burns when they give it to you. I've had the shot four times! Twice with each of my children. They are both fine and i've never had a problem with either. I don't think you have anything to worry about!

Kendra - posted on 01/12/2010

I'm rh - as well. I'm actually due for the shot in a couple days when I go back to the doctors. I'm 25 weeks pregnant with my second child. My son was born perfectly healthy and also has rh - blood type so I didn't need the shot after he was born. I had no side effects with the shot either.

Rachel - posted on 01/12/2010

When my mom was pregnant with me, (she is rh-) she didnt get the shot. When i was born her body started attacking mine. (My blood is Rh+) Lucky they caught it fast. I was born with Jaundice and had it till i was five. I have a blood disease called spherocytosis which was caused from us being different RH. I had to have my spleen galbladder and appendix removed at the age of 5. I am now 26 with a son of my own. I haven't had many problems i have to have my blood checked every couple of months due to my red and white blood cells fluxuating.
My mom had the Rhogam shot with my two brothers and they are fine. With the shot it helps prevent your body from attacking your childs. As long as you get the shot your child will be fine... best wishes.....

Brandi - posted on 01/12/2010

I was also Rh-. IF your husband is ALSO Rh neg. You have NOTHING to worry about. However, if he is Rh pos. you HAVE to have the Rhogam shot. I had NO complications from the Rhogam shot at all aside from a little ache in the rear area where they do the injections (it goes away in a couple of hours). If, however, you are concerned about the Rhogam shot, you should have your husband's blood typed. If he turns out to be neg you don't have to worry about the shot cuz your baby HAS to have the same Rh factor as you and your hubby. BOTH of my children are Rh pos and are PERFECTLY healthy. Just remember that you MUST have ANOTHER Rhogam shot within 72 hours after delivery of an Rh positive baby to ensure that future pregnancies will also be healthy (if the baby has an Rh neg factor, they will not give you the second Rhogam shot, it isn't necessary) however, with EVERY pregnancy you will receive a Rhogam shot at around 26-28 weeks. It isn't an issue, really just remind your nurses in the hosp. to double check the baby's Rh factor BEFORE you leave and get the second Rhogam shot if necessary. Good luck and congratulations.

Kayla - posted on 01/12/2010

I had the Rhogam shot twice during my pregnancy and then 1 day postpartum. I had no reaction to the shot and neither did my child. My son was born very healthy and had no problems. The shot is so that in your next pregnancy your body will not refuse the fetus if your blood types are not compatiable. It actually has nothing to do with the child you are carrying right now. If you dont receive the shot then you could have problems in your next pregnancy. But at this time with this baby you have nothing to worry about at all. When I found out I was RH- I wasn't worried because Ive taken a few Anatomy/Phsyiology classes and understood what was going on. Honestly you and your baby your carrying now may have the same blood type and if you do you have nothing to worry about then either. They will just give you the shot as a precation for the next pregnancy. Hope this helps and dont worry Rh- is a very common thing.

Elle - posted on 01/12/2010

I am Rh- and got th Rhogam shot at 28 weeks and again 1 day postpartum. I didnt have any reaction to the shot, I hardly felt it. My daughter was born healthy, not problems. My daughter is Rh+. I'll have the shots with any more children that I have.

Sarah - posted on 01/12/2010

I was rh- also and i had the shot and my baby boy came out perfectly healthy...in fact if you dont get the shot it can cause problems with your baby's blood attacking yours, or your blood attacking your babies....whichever way it goes....

Stacey - posted on 01/12/2010

If the doctor is giving you the RhoGam shot, you have nothing to worry about! I am also Rh- and had to get the shot. I had no reactions to it whatsoever. My child was born 6 weeks early, but that had nothing to do with the shot and she was born healthy! You get the RhoGam shot to prevent something from happening. If your blood and the baby's fathers blood is not compatible, then the baby's body will start attacking itself and the RhoGam shot is given to prevent that from happening. Again, you have nothing to worry about with the shot! Hope I was of some help!!!



Stacey Puryear