If You Are Rh Negative

A Rho (D) immune globulin injection protects against Rh disease in this and future pregnancies.

If you are Rh negative, ask your healthcare provider about getting treated with Rho (D) immune globulin.  Even if you miscarry or do not deliver the baby, you will still need treatment. The health of any baby you have in the future depends on it.

When are you treated?

If your blood has not formed Rh antibodies, you will be treated during week 28 of your pregnancy. You also may be treated any time there is a chance that fetal blood has mixed with yours. For example, this might be after an amniocentesis, a prenatal test. It might be if you have vaginal bleeding earlier than 28 weeks. 

Treatment is an injection of a medicine called Rho (D) immune globulin, also known as “Rhogam”. Rho (D) immune globulin stops Rh antibodies from forming in your blood. It will not harm you or the fetus.

After you give birth, your baby’s blood will be tested. If it is Rh positive, you will be given Rho (D) immune globulin again within 72 hours (3 days). If it is Rh negative, you will not need Rho (D) immune globulin until your next pregnancy.

Preventing future problems

While being Rh Negative does not affect your first baby, your chances of forming Rh antibodies increases with each pregnancy thereafter. This is true even for an ectopic pregnancy (the fertilized egg is outside the uterus). It is also true for pregnancies that end in miscarriage or abortion. In these cases, you will most likely get a Rho (D) immune globulin injection. This is because your body can make Rh antibodies even if you do not deliver a baby. Rh antibodies can cause problems in future pregnancies and is recommended even if you do not plan on having any more babies. 

If you are not treated adequately, any future babies will be at risk for a disease called hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). This disease can cause issues such as anemia, jaundice and severe issues such as heart failure and brain damage. 

If you have Rh antibodies

If antibodies have already formed (sensitization), Rho (D) immune globulin cannot protect the fetus. You and the fetus will need special care during pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will explain the details to you.