Should I Have a Rhogam Shot?
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
Hello. I just had a miscarriage about 2 weeks ago, and I have gotten conflicting views about a shot that I'm 'supposed' to have gotten. It sounds like "Rogam", but that's not how it's spelled. I am a B- blood type and my husband is positive. Anyway,one OB said that I HAD to have it, that I need to rush to get it. Another OB said that some give it, some don't...and that they don't usually give it to women if they were under 10 weeks. I was only 4 weeks. Plus it only works in the first 72 hours. Some people still say that I should get it. What is your opinion? If it's not going to be effective, then why get it? I would appreciate your response. Thank you,Jennifer
ANSWER
I recommend that all my clients get Rhogam shots whenever they are pregnant or miscarry or terminate unless they are certain the fetus has/had a negative blood type. It works best if given within 72 hours, and I'm not certain whether it works if you get it later. Contact your local March of Dimes or check their web site, as they may be able to help. They have a *great* handout I give all my clients about why you need the shot.
-- Cynthia, CNM
Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
