Rh factor in pregnancy.....

Say that the dad is Rh+. They do blood tests on the mom and find out she is Rh-. Her body will then create antibodies that can destroy the fetus because, to her body, it is a foreign organ. They give the mom a shot of Rhogam during her pregnancy to ensure that her body does not kill the baby and they give her another shot afterwards, within 72 hours and if the baby is Rh+, to protect the next baby.

Thanks Misswhitney ! I know I'm not the one that asked, but I start my OB class tomorrow and I'm sure this will come up ! Can't wait until tomorrow :)

I am Rh-. My oldest and youngest are Rh+ and the middle 3 are Rh- (only one neg daughter so she is the only one to have to pay attention!)

IF the dad is Rh-, the baby cannot be Rh+ so no Rhogam is warranted.

IF the dad is Rh+ (he may be a carrier for Rh-) and mom is Rh-, they will give the Rhogam shot at 28 weeks. Rhogam will kill the antibodies that the mother's body have built up if the fetus is Rh+. Once the child is born, they will check the babies type. If Rh-, no problem...if Rh+, mom gets another shot.

Without Rhogam, the first pregnancy and birth will be uneventful if the baby is Rh+ and Mom Rh-. The second fetus will be attacked by the mom's antibodies. This will create a full blood transfusion at birth to save the baby. After that pregnancy the mother's body has built up so many anti-bodies that any future pregnancies will not make it to term (miscarriage). Probably why you saw families with 2 kids in history, yet no birth control.

Something for folks to consider. In 1988 when I was pregnant with my son, (child #3), I was 'forced' to use an indigent clinic in Pensacola (and yet I had insurance! long story). Anyway, at 28 weeks they went to give me my Rhogam shot. I refused. My husband was Rh-. There was no way I was carrying an Rh+ baby. The 'interns' tried to tell me that there was potentially something else in my DH's blood that I didn't have so I needed it anyway. I was stunned. I looked at the man and informed him that I was not his usual client and that I had a college education! I was pressured for the rest of my pregnancy (saw a different intern at each appt). Finally, I went off on the last doc. WHY are you trying to BS me and for this shot?!?!?! MY DH IS RH-!!!! He finally admitted that with their clientele, they are never convinced that hubby is also father. Wow.

(Of course son IS Rh-)!!!!

"Rhogam will kill the antibodies that the mother's body have built up if the fetus is Rh+."

Well-said momof5, and I agree with all of it except that RhoGAM does not "kill the antibodies" ` it merely provides passive immunity--thus preventing the maternal antibody response.

thanks momo for a very enlightening explanation and to ellishay for some correction.