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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

ouch

So after the miscarriage, just in case, since I am O- and Josh is A+ (blood type) I get to go in in the morning and get a rhogam shot.
What is rhogam you ask?
Rho(D) immune globulin (Rho(D) IG) is a sterilized solution made from human blood. Rh is a substance that most people have in their blood (Rh positive) but some people don't (Rh negative). A person who is Rh negative can be exposed to Rh positive blood through a mismatched blood transfusion or during pregnancy when the baby has the opposite blood type. When this exposure happens, the Rh negative blood will respond by making antibodies that will try to destroy the Rh positive blood cells. This can cause medical problems such as anemia (loss of red blood cells), kidney failure, or shock.

So yeah. If the RH factor had gotten into my blood somehow during the miscarriage, my body will build up antibodies against it, and if I got pregnant again, and the baby was rh+ then my body could reject it. That is what the rhogam protects against.

The bad part? They give it to you in the butt. Ouch!

6 comments:

Nanee Plainy said...

I'm A-, so I'll have to do the same thing after my first pregnancy as well...good times!

amy (metz) walker said...

Ouch. I actually have no idea what my blood type is but I'm suddenly feeling the need to find out!

Lindsey said...

Eek! Good luck with the shot!

Monogramchick said...

I am so sorry for your loss, I hate that y'all had to go through that.
Thanks for your comment on my giveaway today...I too love my crock pot and addicted to this website: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I found you through Pioneer Woman. I was reading through your posts. I'm sorry for you loss. It seems like you are taking it as best as anyone can. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
And not to change subjects but sorry about the shot too! I don't even know my blood type.

Blue-Eyed Bride said...

i am so sorry for your loss. you are definitely in my prayers.