RH factor pregnancy?

[bunny213]

Please see post #19

I'm posting this here, because I hope someone can tell us of their experience with this...My DD's dr. called her today and told her about her blood test that they took. Seems like with this 2nd pregnancy this has happened. She is about 7 - 8 weeks. We've "googled" it and read all the scientific explainations. But I would so love to hear from someone who has gone through this, and can ease her mind some. Her dr. tried to reassure her...and was wonderful. Said that towards the end of the pgncy she would also be seeing another dr., but he himself would deliver. I don't know anyone to ask that may have experienced this...so I'm turning to my D's friends here. Thank you for any and all help that you can give us. She has a wonderful little 1 1/2 year old and this baby is going to be their last. She is sooooo worried. Thank you again! Barb in Texas

 

[s&k'smom]

I am RH negative and never had any problems with either pregnancy. I had to take a shot of something (the name I couldn't remember) and I carried a card in my wallet but otherwise I truly don't believe it was or is anything to worry about. Hope you friend does well.

 

[WendyinNC]

I'm a mother of 4 and RH negative. I'm A- and my husband is A+. No big deal except the Rhogam Shot in the rear hurt. If the baby is + the hospital will administer another shot after birth. Other than that, no big deal and no worries.

 

[bellarella]

Rh factor comes into play only when the mother is Rh - and the father is Rh +. This means that the baby could be either Rh- or Rh+. There is no problem with a mother who is Rh- carrying a baby who is Rh-. There is also not a problem with her carrying a baby who is Rh+ *unless there is a mixing of maternal and fetal blood*. If this happens then the mother's body can develop antibodies against the blood. This doesn't usually cause a problem with that pgcy, but if she were to get pg again with another Rh+ baby her body would attack the fetus as a foreign body.

Now a days this isn't really an issue. Women who are Rh- are given a shot of Rhogam routinely at 28 weeks in their pgcy and then again after delivery if it turns out their baby is Rh+. Rhogam prevents the production of antibodies. If an Rh- woman has a miscarriage or trauma to the abdomen during pgcy she should also have a shot of Rhogam.

I am Rh- and my first two children were both Rh+. I had shots at 28 weeks and after delivery with both of them. My DS was Rh-, so with him I only had the shot at 28 weeks and did not need one after delivery.

 

[tadamom]

I'm not sure I fully understand what the situation is. When I put in Rh factor pregnancy in google it comes back with 'Rh factor in pregnancy'. This is a very common occurance. I have O negative blood and my husband has positive blood. Each time that I have been pregnant I have had to receive the RhoGam shot around 27 weeks and then immediately following labor. Each time my doctor has never been worried, always just says - "Don't forget you get the shot before 30 weeks and after delivery".

Your daughter's case sounds a little different. If she has negative blood & the child's dad has positive blood and she didn't get the RhoGam shot with her first child, than some complications can arise. From what I found, seems like there are treatments. This is the website that I was looking at: http://uuhsc.utah.edu/healthinfo/pediatric/hrpregnant/rhdiseas.htm

Is this what she is dealing with?

I hope everything is okay and I hope you will update on her condition!

 

[MichelleVW]

I'm a mother of 4 and RH negative. I'm A- and my husband is A+. No big deal except the Rhogam Shot in the rear hurt. If the baby is + the hospital will administer another shot after birth. Other than that, no big deal and no worries.

That was my experience too..

 

[tiggger1]

Same thing here. I am RH- and hubby is Postive. With Emma I had to get the rhogam shot twice. Once at 8 weeks, when I had some bleeding and then again at 28 weeks. I didnt need it after Emma was born..

With this pregnancy I have only got it at 28 weeks. Dont know if Ill need another one after the baby is born.

 

[LIZZIEANDTOMMYSMOM]

I am also - and DH is +. I did the same as everyone else, only you do need to call and possibly have a shot if you have any spotting earlier. Like the PP mentioned. Also the shots do HURT!

 

[AnnaS]

Another RH 0 - here. Have three children and have had the Rhogram (sp?) shot after each one. It's been a while so don't remember all the details. I also remember carrying a card. Don't we need the shot for future pregnancies? So we don't miscarry if the father is positive?

I hope and I am sure all will be fine. Good luck. It is very common.

 

[tadamom]

Yes, the shot is for future pregnancies. I have had the shot 6 times (twice with both of my children, 1 with a m/c and 1 with a blighted ovum) and that is one EVIL shot and the needle is enough to make you queezy!!

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

Another RH- Diser here with an RH+ husband. I am currently due in 3 weeks with our fifth child. I have always had the rhogam shots and have had no problems. My only concern for your daughter was if she is negative, the father positive, and she didnt get the shot after her last preganancy or perhaps even a miscarriage she may not have known about. That may cause problems, but at least the Drs are aware of it, IF that is the case.

 

[Bird-Mom]

Is your dd sensitized? When they do the initial OB panel (at a first visit), they always type the blood and if it is RH-, they check for a level of antibodies. If your dd is RH- and had a traumatic birth or active management of the birth of the placenta (unfortunately very common in hospital births), there is a chance that the baby's blood mixed with mom's. Mom's blood produces antibodies. Is this what they found? It is very rare, but it can be managed. Most likely, your dd's antibody levels will be checked frequently during the pregnancy. Usually they are only checked twice-in the inital OB panel and at 28 weeks when most providers like to check iron levels (same tube of blood, an easy check). If the antibody levels get too high, they can do transfusions in utero. Your dd will probably see a perinatologist, a specialist in high risk pregnancies. As long as she is monitored carefully, she has an excellent chance of carrying baby to term.

HTH, midwifery student here.

The shot needs to be administered within 72 hours of birth in order to prevent the antibodies in future pregnancies. As with any medicine, it is not always 100% effective.

 

[kmk160]

RH- too!!!
Just had dd 9 months ago and she is our second.
From what our drs. told us, it has more of an impact on second and subsequent pregnancies than it does your first.
I had shots of Rhogam at 28 weeks and immediately following delivery.
With ds, 3, I had an abruption at 28 weeks with a lot of bleeding.
Also explained to me that any there is any bleeding, trauma, etc... and a mother is RH-, a shot of Rhogam is given then too.
Hope this helps.
IF there is still come confusion, I am sure her Dr. would be more than willing to provide a thorough explanation.

 

[monorailsilver]

I'm negative & have 3 healthy kids & got the Rhogam shot a few times too.

I think my dh is + & I think my girls are + & my son is - but I am not entirely sure.

 

[sprout694]

Add me to the list - my blood type is negative, husband is positive. Two pregnancies, shots during and after both - 2 babies with positive blood. Those shots hurt like words cannot describe - but you move on and enjoy pregnancy, then babies!!

 

[bellarella]

I just have to add that I found the rhogam shots to be a piece of cake! The needle is long, but the solution is very thin so it injects easily. Relax the side it is going into and you'll hardly feel a thing.

 

[java]

RH negative here too-4 children! The shot is a piece of cake. I am a little confused as to why her doctor would send her to somebody else at the end? The only risk is if it is undiagnosed- which in this day is pretty much impossible. The first thing they do when you are pregnant is give you a blood test. Didn't she know she was already - blood type? Relax- a non- issue these days.

 

[snowy76]

RH negative here too-4 children! The shot is a piece of cake. I am a little confused as to why her doctor would send her to somebody else at the end? The only risk is if it is undiagnosed- which in this day is pretty much impossible. The first thing they do when you are pregnant is give you a blood test. Didn't she know she was already - blood type? Relax- a non- issue these days.

That was my first thought too. Maybe having another doctor was a separate issue from the Rh thing but OP's daughter thought they were related? I know in my OB's office the more experienced doctor is only seeing pregger patients until 12 weeks -- trying to give the newer partner more experience, and I think eventually retire.

RH negative mom here, Rh positive baby -- first pregnancy. After OB explained the shot to me, I never gave it another thought. I actually got three -- one earlier in the pregnancy after I had some bleeding, then the regular dose at 7 months, then another when I delivered.

 

[bunny213]

thank you all for your kind words, information and encouragement answering my original post. They went and saw the specialist...and were assured that they would only see her again if her blood count changed after being checked by her original doctor. Well...here it is - 25/26 weeks into the pregnancy and her blood count has climbed some, and her dr. needs her to return to the specialist to be checked. Of course, she is upset...so we went back and reread everything you all had posted...
Her last dr. appointment was about 10 days ago...and when they called her today and told her to make another app't. with the specialist..she did immediately. But, they gave her an appointment for 10 days from now.
I'm hoping that I told her the right thing....I told her that if it was a case of danger...they would have probably had her come right in. She had a sever cold and such..(could that have upped the blood work?) a week before the check up.
The baby is a BOY and they are just tickled ... . she says that he is very active and is constantly moving.
I guess it'll be a long 10 days waiting. I just wanted to update everyone and see if anyone has any ideas. Thank you again and again...for your friendship and the comfort you give! Barb

 

[mla1977]

Barbara,

Best of luck to your daughter. I am RH + and my mom is -. I know she had 2 or 3 miscarriages after me, but when I questioned her about it (I was already 28, so the procedure was ancient history) she said that she received a shot when I was born. I still wonder if everything was done properly for her then since I was her first and only child.