RH factor and miscarriage

[tupe]

I understand it to be that if the parents have different blood signs (+/-), that it is possible for a the child to have a different sign than the mother thereby causing antibodies to occur in the mother's blood. This occurance requiring the mother to have an injection to combat this during pregnancy or post birth.

If the above is true and the pregnancy is miscarried early
(6-8wks) for other, unrelated reasons, does this injection still need to be taken in order to sucessfully complete future pregnancies?
Is there a time limit in which it has to be administered, or should it be taken during the pregnancy?

[carolyn55806]

YES the person still needs a shot. In fact, even if the mother does not miscarry, but bleeding occurs, she should still get a shot IN CASE it was fetal blood.

[clevelandlady]

I'm rh negetive,and was always told that if I start to bleed,or miscarry I needed the rhogam shot within 72 hours to protect future pregnancy's against rh disease.

[trixie charles]

I am also RH- and have had two miscarriages.  The first one I didn't require the shot b/c a blood test showed that there was no fetal blood mixed with mine.  The second one I did require the shot because they found fetal blood had mixed with mine.  If you do not get the shot and there has been a mixture of blood your body produces antibodies that will attack the baby as though it is a virus the next time you get pregnant.  If your dr. didnt give you the shot you are probably okay, they check for that right away usually, there was maybe no need to do it.  For peace of mind call your physician and ask.

[nanakay]

if you are rh+ this doesn't apply to you!

for some odd reason the rh factor only effects mothers with rh- blood.

my mother is rh- and had to have rogam (sp?) shots to protect future babies....however i am rh+ so the while her rogam shot was to protect me...i don't ever have to have them.
~nanci

[tupe]

Thanks so much for your responses and input on this.  
I am still a little unclear on the RH factor and can't seem to find my answers on the net.

Now I understand that the shot could be required regardless of miscarriage or normal delivery.

The one point I am not sure about is this:

Does the same hold true if the mother's blood is (+) and the baby's blood is (-)?
Also, I understand the RH factor to be a possiblity only if the mother and father have different signs(-)or(+), does everyone agree with that?
Thanks!!!

[nanakay]

the rh factor is ONLY a factor if the mother has rh- blood.

in your first pg (regardless of how long you are pg) the body learns and if that baby was RH+ then your body would build anti bodies....but not against the first baby. it is the second pg that you have to worry about.

if you miscarry the first time and you are RH- they will give you the shot to protect future pregnancies.  and every pg after that the same thing will occur.

if you are rh+ then it is never a problem.

i hope that makes sense, and sorry i can't explain why RH+ people don't have this problem.
~nanci

[Vicky G]

Hello!
I am 31 weeks pregnant and met with a High Risk OB, due to my Type 1 Diabetes.  As it turns out, the OB I had been seeing had over looked some major issues.  Such as the fact that my blood type is A-.  I have not yet gotten the RhoGam shot.  I was wondering if anyone can tell me what risks are involved for not receiving this shot thus far.  
I am meeting with the High Risk OB's next week, and they plan to administer this shot.  I would like to go to that appointment with as much information as possible.  
All the other internet sites I have found do not specify risks in my issues.
Can anyone give me more information?  I'd greatly appreciate it!
Thank you!
Vicky

[nanakay]

wow- this was an accident that i saw your post.....feel free next time to post a new question when it has been this long.

the only experience i have with the shot is via my mom (she is rh- and i am rh+)  i never needed a shot....but when my mom was having children they gave the shot after the birth of your first child.

you might try posting this under a new question now and see if anyone else can give any insight!
good luck
~nanci

[runnerbanks]

  My daughter, 21,  (Nuclear Technician in the Navy, husband also the same), just miscarried her first pregnancy after about 4 wks along and is devastated.  She is O- blood type.  Her doc. gave her the RhoGAM shot after the miscarriage.  I think she needs a medical reason that this happened to keep her peace of mind.  Any information would be appreciated - 1st time future grandma.

Donna

[USMCWife12307]

I'm sorry to hear about your daughters loss.  I'm a 20 year old Marine wife and I recently just had my second miscarriage 3 days after my husband left for Iraq.  My first miscarriage was about 3 years ago when we still lived in Ohio, and the hospital there told me that the miscarriage was due to the Rh disease.  I got pregnant with my daughter a few months later with no problems.  When I had this miscarriage the doctors at the Naval hospital told me that the miscarriage had nothing to do with my Rh disease, and even went as far as to tell me that the doctors in Ohio were wrong, but they couldn't give me a reason why I lost the baby.  I don't know if thats anything like what happened with your daughter, but I know it can be very frustrating to not be given a reason.

Danielle