DO I NEED RHOGAM ?
Rh factor is a protein-like substance that most people have on the surface of their red blood cells . If your blood contains this protein , you are said to be Rh-positive ; if not , you are Rh-negative .
Rhogam is administered before your body manufactures antibodies against Rh . It can block the production of these antibodies . By blocking antibody production , Rhogam protects future pregnancies from these antibodies .
Rhogam is given to Rh-negative pregnant women who have not been previously sensitized in the following situations :
• At 28 weeks of pregnancy
• Following an early pregnancy loss
• After amniocentesis
• Following an external cephalic version
• After delivery of an Rh-positive infant
Rhogam administered in accordance with the guidelines established by the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology reduces an Rh-negative mother ’ s chance of developing the antibody to much less than 1 %. Rhogam administered during pregnancy is safe for you and your baby . Side effects are uncommon , but as with any immunization , you may have some minor irritation at the injection site . In rare instances you may develop a slight fever . Rhogam treatment provides protection for about 12 weeks . It must be re-administered in subsequent pregnancies . uabmedicine . org 53