Hi moms! My husband and I are trying to conceive our second child and I have a question for you wonderfull ladies! Whenever I first found out I was prego with our first child, I experienced menstrual cramps and pain which was why at first I didn't think I was pregnant. I really thought my period was just around the corner. So when I found out I was prego, I called the doctor and they had me come in for a check up because of the cramps. Turned out I was RH negative blood type which basically was causing my cramps. What I've learned is that having the negative blood type, my body could react to the pregnancy as being something "foreign" in my body and could cause me to miscarry. I had to take shots thru out the pregnancy and they gave me one at 4 weeks. I haven't had a shot since the birth of my daughter 12-2006 so I'm wondering if, once I find out we are expecting, should I go ahead and get a shot to be safe? How many other moms out there have this blood type? Thanks!!!
Well we are expecting!!!! I found out even before my missed period! I have experienced cramps like that of menstrual cramps. I called my doctor and they said it was normal unless there was bleeding. Thanks again for all the advice. I'll feel better!
Hi L.-
I think you should call your doctor to make sure but since you asked about other people's experiences....I am RH negative and have had 3 healthy children. I never experienced the cramping early in the pregnancy. I was given one shot at about 28 weeks (I think) and then another after delivery with each pregnancy. I never experienced a miscarriage or any problems related to being RH neg.
Good luck,
K.
I also am Rh negative and never had cramps or was told that this would affect my cycle or pregnancy that way. I received a rhogam shot during my first pregnancy and then after I delivered because my son was positive. During my second pregnancy, I received a shot at about 5 months (same as the first) and didn't receive any more. Although I had my tubes tied, my second son was negative like me. Your doctor should know how to treat this condition. If not, I'd find another ob/gyn.
I am RH negative and, like the previous poster said, never had any issues related to it. They said during my first pregnancy that the biggest issue was with subsequent pregnancies if any of my daughter's blood got mixed with mine during the end stages of my pregnancy or during delivery. So, I got 2 shots....one at 34 weeks (I think) and another after delivery to keep my body from creating antibodies (thus rejecting future pregnancies if the baby were RH positive). Anyway, I now have a second child and never had any issues with that pregnancy either. I would speak to your doctor, but I haven't heard of having to have that many shots during a pregnancy to keep it viable. You should just need one during the later stages and one after delivery. Hope this helps.
I am a midwife and I can tell for certain that having RH- blood is not the reason you were cramping early in pregnancy especially since that was your first child. The only way your body can react to a foreign blood type is if you had a previous child with a + blood type and there was a mixing of your blood and the babies blood during a trauma or traumatic birth such as a c-section. Then your body would build up anti-bodies againist the positive RH factor so future pregnancies could be in jeopardy if the baby turned out to have the positive RH factor. But, your second baby could have the - RH factor like you and then you don't have to get the Rhogam shot. You don't have to get the Rhogam shot just to be "safe." There is some controversy over giving that shot to pregnant moms. You should do some research on it. If there is a trauma where there is a possibility of the blood types mixing then you have 72 hours to get the shot. Most mothers have some cramping in early pregnancy. It is very normal as the uterus begins to stretch to make room for the growing fetus. Your doctor was completely wrong in telling you that the cramping was due to you having the negative blood type. I hope I explained that ok. It can be confusing. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Lisa
Hello! Most definately go to the doctor and get your shot! From personal experience as a RH Negative, I miscarried my first born right at 8 wks! I bled my whole pregnancy! The midwife never mentioned to me that this shot would save my childs life! I learned that by the time I recieved the shot it was too late! I woke up mothers day in my regular routine of being prego miserable and already started passing clots the size of marbles! I spent mothers day recieving a DNC. I beg you to please do your homework with this! To explain it in a shorter version than the Web; to my understanding, my husband has positive blood and because you don't know what the childs blood type will be when it's born, your body is doing a good job of acting as an antibody towards your child! If the babies blood is positive, your body is going to do it's best to get rid of that "foregin object". Now with that said, the doctor gives you the shot Rogham, to stop the fighting process! If your husband has negative blood as well as you, you are costal clear of any shots or complications associated with our blood type! I hope that helped you some! God bless and Mothers Day will come easier for me this year than the last! I am planning on trying again soon, now that I am aware of most all the risk!
Hi I can not answer this post but I'm hoping somone cane help me !
I am RH Neg. Had a healthy lil RH Positive Baby Boy bavk in 2008.
I've just had my miren removed and have my first Menstral.
And trying to concieve .I'm highly nervous and not sure should I get the Rh shot before becoming pregnant or as soon as I find out ?
I would love a sibling for my son and I don't want to risk anything .
