Rhogam Shot During and After Pregnancy

I am also rh negative and have had 2 children, both girls and both via c-section. I have the shots both times. I have not had any problems and both of our girls are happy & healthy. they are ages 7 & 1. no problems to report and have not heard of anyone else having any issues that I know of.

T., I know you've received several comments but wanted to give my two cents.
When I found out that I needed Rhogam I was in scared. I read about the effects of it that my body would attack the fetus because of this if the babies blood clashes with mine. So I took it. I didn't want to lose my baby because of this particular reason. My son is three and is thriving. My daughter is one and I can't keep up. I would absolutely recommend it if you are RH negative. I don't know about autism or anything like that. I only know women that have had a positive effect from this.

I am Rh- and my husband is Rh+. During my first pregnancy the baby was - like me so there was no problem. But this is like being allergic to bees--the first time you get stung your reaction is mild, the second time you get stung the reaction is more severe, and gets worse every time. For the second pregnancy I had the shot around 24ish weeks and then again after the birth because the baby was + like my husband. The shot has saved Rh- women from the heartache of miscarriages and stillbriths.

From what literature/source did you learn of these potential side effects? And how was the medical community able to make the link directly to the shot? I would scrutinize your sources and not just go on what you may have "heard."

I have had this 3 times and have had absolutely no problems myself and I have 3 healthy energetic boys.

I had the Rhogam shot during and after both of my pregnancies with no side effects to either of my kids. I didn't think you had a choice b/c of how your body reacts to your babies' blood.
The only instances I have heard of ADD, autism and all that is from vaccinating your babies. There is a lot of controversy about vaccinations and that is a personal decision.
I would trust your doctor about the Rhogam shot.
Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and baby!

I also had the shot with no problems. My understading is that while there may be no risk to your current pregnancy to not get the shot (unless you have ever been pregnant before including miscarriages) the risk to any future children is HIGH (50-50) My neighbor had a child that died shorty after birth from Rh disease (this was the fifties before the shot existed) and the potential effects other than death are tragic. Given that there is VERY LITTLE actual scientific link to autism etc. with Rhogam (and, believe me I am also very cautious about the many things that may contribute to autism) I think that if you don't get the shot and you do plan to have another child you may find yourself in a very scarey situation in future pregnancies. The shot is time sensitive so you can't "make it up" later.

T., first congratulations, second, I had the shot during and after both of my pregnacies and the son I am raising(16 soon to be 17 years old) has not suffered as a result. I could not say about the second son as I gave him up for adoption, but would be willing to bet he is fine as well. I think you are right by asking questions though and making sure you are informed. I would also like to add, that while you and your husband my both be RH- that is still not a reason to not have the shot. You may have both inherited the recessive genetic trait to be so and therefore may both have a dominant genetic trait for RH+ and could very well still have a RH+ positive baby. I would not take the risk myself, but you have to do what makes you feel comfortable and safe. I wish you the best of luck on your new journey into motherhood.

I am Rh-. I had the shots with both my pregnancies at 28 weeks and after delivery. Neither of my sons have any problems.

When I was about 15 I lost a baby sister because my stepmom was RH negative. Much to my horror, I found that I was also RH negative when I was pregnant. There was no option for me at all. I got the shots. I'm fine and my daughter is perfect. She is now 13 months old and smart as a whip! She was premature but has already caught up developmentally to her actual versus adjusted age.

If your husband is RH negative as well, don't take the shot you don't need it. All of your children will be RH negative.

Hi T.,

I am always interested in any posts regarding the Rhogam shot. I am Rh negative and my doctor failed to inform me that I needed the rho-gam shot. Because of this, I developed the Anti-D antibody. My doctor did give it to me post partum but it did not matter because I had already developed the anti-body, which is rare in the first pregancy. With my 2nd pregancy, we had to start intra-uteral tranfusions because the anti-body was attacking the baby's blood because the baby had positive blood.

If there is a chance of having a positive blood baby, you should definately get the shot.

Hope that answeres some questions.

Thanks,
M.

I'm Rh negative but there was some confusion about my blood type (hospital and dr had different types), so I didn't get the Rhogam shot until after I delivered. No problems, just like everyone else. Ask your doctor about the shot if you're not comfortable with it, and do your research so you can bring up any questions you have.

I'm RH negative and had the shot before and after delivery with no issues. Glad I did too b/c my child is positive.

Wow! Thanks for starting this thread and for all of the intersting posts. I'm RHneg, had my Rhogam shot after my son was born and never really gave it much thought. He was still 4 weeks early and had to be hospitalized immediately after birth because his bilirubin levels were high and he was severly jaundiced (he looked almost orange). No one ever mentioned that it might be caused by the rh disease - interesting, I guess I'll never know.

I was/am Rh negative. I had to have those shots for both my pregnancies. No problems at all for me or my babies.

I had a Rhogham shot after my amnio, one before delivery, and one after delivery with my daughter. Neither of us had any difficulties. She is happy and healthy. I have heard of the shot being very painful. I have to disagree. I prefer to get it in the arm, but it is not very painful at all. I had one in the hip, because the nurse insisted and it was a little painful. However, I blame the nurse. Nothing went smoothly with that nurse. Good luck.

All I know is we had neighbors years ago that had about 4 children and they all had problems and that was probably before that shot. One little girl had several fingers missing. The boy was mentally weird. I would risk it. G. W

I also had it with no problems

I too am Rh negative and I had the shot with all of my pregnancies (I have four children). My oldest is 22 so honestly I didn't even realize it was an option back then to get the shot or not. I just thought the dr. says I need the shot so I got it. All four of my babies have had no problems whatsoever. They are all and have been very healthy since birth. Good luck with your decision and your new arrival.

Hi,

I am O negative blood type and had the shot during pregnancy and after my son was born (his blood type is B+). I had no side effects except for tenderness at injection sight and my son was born happy and healthy and still is (he will be 3 next month).

It hurts like a mofo. Hands down, the most painful vaccination I have ever had.

That said - hemolytic disease of the newborn is nothing to play around with, either - it can cause extensive organ damage in baby 2 and miscarriage, and it's caused when baby 1 and baby 2 are both Rh+. Baby one sensitizes mom and causes her to produce antibodies. Baby two comes along and gets attacked by those antibodies. The hemoglobin (oxygen carrier in red blood cells) is actually caused to lyse (explode) by these antibodies, and the babies who make it to term often need a complete blood transfusion - which carries a host of other potential complications.

I got the shots with my five year old. I got the shots with my two year old - even though they were tying my tubes afterward, and another baby really isn't likely. My five year old has always been ahead. My two year old is about a year behind, but I don't attribute that to vaccines mainly because it didn't start until he was 3 months old and he didn't get a shot until 18 months - when he had finally started making some progress.

S.

I am also Rh negative and have had three other children plus being 18 weeks pregnant right now. I've also had three miscarriages. I had the rhogam shot with all my pregnancies and have never had any side effects nor have I heard of this shot being linked to autism, etc... My mom has been an OBGYN nurse for 35 years and neither has she. In my opinion, it seems too many syndromes are blamed on various vaccines with NO hard core proof that they are causing them when there could be sooo many other factors, enviromental and otherwise, that could be contributing. Talk to your OB but you run a greater risk to yourself and your baby by not getting the shot. Hope this helps and congrats on the first baby!!

I have gotten the shot also & no problems. I just got it durning pregancy.

Hi, T.. I had to have the Rhogam shot after the birth of my first son, since my blood type is negative and my husband's and my son's are positive. That being said, when I became pregant with my second, I did have the Rhogam shots again during my pregnancy, and shortly after his birth. No problems or complications here. I actually have never heard of anyone having complications with the shot, so it's news to me. I think it's a pretty important, since the purpose is to prevent your antibodies in your immune system from attacking the foreign blood type (your fetus) while in the womb. God luck with your decision!

I got the shots back in 1994 when I was pregnant and just after with my daughter. I never had any problems.

I'm Rh negetive and I had the shot during both my pregnancies and afterward with my second child because his blood type is positive. My first son is negetive like me, so I didn't have to have the shot with him. I had absolutely no problems and would definetly have it again if I were to have anymore children.

T.,

I had to have the shot during my pregnancy since I am (-) and my husband is (+). I didn't have to have it after my baby's birth though since she was born with (-). I didn't have any problems and she doesn't seem to be experiencing any ill effects. I don't think there is really any way around not having the shot as far as I know due to the danger the mother and fetus could experience if they are not Rh compatible.

I've had the shots during the pregnancy and after I had my son with no complications.My son is healthy and developing according his age and very active.
Good luck with the baby!

Just a question - you and other poeple said that if your husband was also negative that you would not need the shot. I'm positive and the father of my daughter is positive, but our daughter is negative. So, it seems to me that negative parents doesn't gaurantee a negative child?

-L.

Hi T.,
I am also RH-. I had the shot during my first pregnancy to protect the baby and good thing I did because he is RH+ (like his dad).
Then I had the shot again after I delivered to protect future pregnancies, but my second baby is RH- like me. (never mind he is almost 20 and she's 16 now, both A/B students and never had any learning problems or problems of any kind, awesome kids).
From what I understand, the shot during the pregnancy is to protect the baby because if the baby's RH factor is positive, your body will fight off the baby like a foreign object, which is what causes alot of problems. The shot after you deliver is to protect future pregnancies and I don't remember having the shot during my second pregnancy.
You should take all your concerns to your doctor and have him/her clearly explain it to you.
Congratulations!!

I too am RH-. Did not find out until after I miscarried. Dr advised on the shot. I took it. 3 months later pregnant with my son, who is now a very enrgetic and active 2 1/2 yo. Also, had they shot around the 24 week and then again after delivering. Did not have any complications in taking the shot. My son is fine and has had no complications. Hope this helps.

I have 3 children, 2 girls/1boy. My oldest is 10, middle 5 & little one 2 1/2. They are all fine.

I've had 2 boys and the shot with both of them. They are perfect. The shot stings a little but other than that its fine.

T.,I had 2 rhogam shots with both my babies and as I understand it -it is absoulely neccessary that you have these injections or you will have a Blue Baby and your baby will die.You really need to check WEBMD so you know what you are talking about

I had my first rogam shot 2 years ago with my first child, and will be getting another one soon also because of my second pregnancy. I have had no problems. I think there are parents out there that try to find any link in the world to ADD and ADHD.
Hope this helps you feel at ease.

I know it's been years since I had my children, but I didn't have to get the shot until they knew if the baby was Rh neg or pos. Only when I had a miscarriage on my last pregnancy did they give me the shot because they couldn't determine the Rh factor. I sometimes thing the medical profession has gone shot and vaccine nutty!!!! But what do I know????? All I can say is research the info on the Internet and learn as much as you can. Both my parents were Rh neg. I married an Rh pos. and my first child is pos., the second is neg. No complications, no birth defects.

I also have Rh negative blood. I had the shot with my first son however did not receive it with my second due to a short supply. I don't have a postive or a negative because both of my boys turned out fine. One is 17 and the other is 13. If they offer it I would take it. It is my understanding that it can also effect future children if you do not receive it.

I am also negative. I have 2 beautiful but positive boys. With the first pregnancy I followed the rules and got both shots without a problem, other than it hurt to sit for a couple of days. WIth my second child, I chose to make informed decisions and did some digging. Most people don't have problems with or without the shot. I found a lot of good information for the website for mothering magazine. With my youngest, I choose not to do the shot during the pregnancy. My midwife watched my Rh titer every four weeks during the last trimester. After he was born I had a shot, but it was more to appease my hubby. Check for all the information. I can promise your doctor won't be totally helpful or supportive if you choose not to have a shot now, but it is your choice. Make sure you make it informed. I encourage you to seek out the information on how the shot was made. You may be surprised on what they are injecting into your body.YOu may also be surprised on the actual statics surrounding problems related to problems as a result of Rh factor with or without the shot. It is not an absolute must,m there are times when it serves a purpose. You will not have a "blue baby" as a result of not having it. That is what a baby with a heart defect is called. You may consider skipping the shot before birth until and unless you experience any trauma as the ONLY way there can be a problem to start with is if your blood mixes with the babies blood which is very rare. MY grandmother has 2 babies before the shot. Both normal, both positive. My great grandmother had 10. Only one miscarriage after number 9. Get all the information you can! Good luck! Either way you choose, You will make the best decision for you and your baby!

I had the shots for all my children and had no problems. My maternal grandmother was also Rh- and had her children before the shots were developed. Without the shots, she had several miscarriges and one who died shortly after birth. All were attributed to her Rh factor.

I had it with both pregnancies. I had no problems at all. I didn't realize it was optional honestly.

I have had the shot three times during pregnancy aand have never experienced ant complications. All of my boys ended up as a negative blood type so it was not needed in post-partum. Does your doctor provide alternative or is open to alternative solutions if you are not comfortable with the shot?

Hi T., my name is M.. I have 2 boys,2 1/2 yrs and an 11 month old. I had the Rhogam shot with both of my boys as I am also Rh negative. Both of my boys are healthy and thriving like crazy. I had no compications due to the shot during my pregancies. Hope this helps! Good Luck :)

I am also rh negative. I have had the shot during both of my pregnancies. I have no negative reactions or consequences to them. They were really simple to have just a simple shot in your hip and that is it. I hightly recommend it. Yet if you are still concerned about it talk to your dr. They should be able to answer any other questions you might have