If You Are Rh NegativeSi usted es Rh negativa

If You Are Rh Negative

If you're Rh negative, ask your doctor about getting treated with RhoGam. Even if you miscarry or don't deliver the baby, you will still need treatment. The health of any baby you have in the future depends on it.

Doctor and patient
A RhoGam injection protects against Rh disease in this and future pregnancies.

When Are You Treated?

If your blood has not formed Rh antibodies, you'll be treated during week 28 of your pregnancy. You also may be treated any time there's a chance that fetal blood has mixed with yours (for example, after amniocentesis, a prenatal test). Your treatment will be an injection of a medicine called RhoGam. RhoGam prevents Rh antibodies from forming. It won't harm you or the fetus. After you give birth, your baby's blood will be tested. If it's Rh positive, you'll be given RhoGam again within 3 days. If it's Rh negative, you won't need RhoGam until your next pregnancy.

Preventing Future Problems

Your chance of forming Rh antibodies increases with each pregnancy. That includes ectopic pregnancy (the fertilized egg is outside the uterus) and pregnancy that ends in miscarriage or abortion. In these cases, you should talk with your doctor about getting a RhoGam injection. This is because your body can make Rh antibodies even if you don't deliver a baby. Rh antibodies can cause problems in future pregnancies.

If You Have Rh Antibodies

If antibodies have already formed (sensitization), RhoGam can't protect the fetus. You and the fetus will need special care during pregnancy. Your health care provider will explain the details to you.

Date Last Reviewed:

Date Last Modified: 2002-07-09T00:00:00-06:00

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