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Original poster

Anti-D injection question

40 replies

BadgerFace · 04/07/2012 17:40

Hello, I've just found out that I need to have an Anti-D injection as I'm RhD Negative.

The letter says to ring and book an appointment for when I am 28 weeks pregnant but then goes on to say it should be when I am in my 28th week.

So does that mean that I book it for when I am, say, 27+3 or when I am 28+3?

V confused first timer! Thanks in advance for any replies.

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AThingInYourLife · 04/07/2012 17:47

Is your husband rhesus positive?

If not, you don't need the injection.

IME the NHS don't understand that your 28th week and 28 weeks are not the same.

The timing of the anti-D injection isn't that sensitive, any time around 28 weeks is fine.

Original poster
BadgerFace · 04/07/2012 17:51

Thanks AThing. I'm not sure if he's rhesus positive or not and he's not been offered a blood test. Do you know if the GP would just do it for him on request if he asked?

To be honest I would rather he got checked before I had the jab - we've been through IVF to get here and I've had quite enough of jabs so any potentially avoided would be good!!

But good to know any tiem around 28 weeks is fine if I need it, thank you.

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AThingInYourLife · 04/07/2012 18:11

I insisted DH was checked before I agreed to the injections. I think they did it at the antenatal clinic.

He was positive (the fucker :o )

It's not a very nice injection - quite sore - so I would not be happy to have it unless it was necessary.

Original poster
BadgerFace · 04/07/2012 18:13

Thanks - I will get him checked before I book the appointment for me!!

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Kelbells · 04/07/2012 18:32

Just to add - You'll also need a top up if you have an bleeding during your pregnancy, I'm 25 weeks and have had 2 top ups already as I seem to having a lot of unexplained bleeds.

Everyone told me it was an awful injection to have, but I actually had one of them today (and because I'm not far off 28 weeks, I had the full large dose) and it wasn't that bad... A little bit of a sting in my bum was all.

minipie · 04/07/2012 18:40

Any time around 28 weeks is fine. As Kel says watch out for any bleeding or any hard knocks to the bump (even if no bleeding visible) as they also require a jab.

I've already had it twice due to CVS and bleeding (am only 17 weeks) and it's not that bad at all, a little achy but hardly at all.

I'm now getting DH to go to the GP to get a blood test approved in case he is negative too, if he is then I can avoid having any more.

Lora1982 · 04/07/2012 18:52

does anyone know how long it lasts? say i had a knock or something and had the jab... then about two weeks later i got knocked again would the jab still be covering me?

Kelbells · 04/07/2012 19:08

Someone else might be able to give you a more definitive answer but I asked today whether I'll need another one at 28 weeks and my mw said they'll do a blood test at the time to check.... Otherwise I've had them at 13(ish) and 25 weeks with no question around whether I might still be ok from the last jab.

oikopolis · 04/07/2012 19:12

i've had two Rhogam injections so far, once for a bleed and once again at nearly 28 weeks, and it wasn't really painful at all. the one i had in my arm made my arm feel a bit weird after wards, but the one on my upper bum was nothing imo.

AThing is right, the timing is not that sensitive. a week on either side will not affect you or baby.

i think the injection covers you for 12 weeks at a time. not entirely sure of that, but i know it's quite a significant length of time.

Original poster
BadgerFace · 04/07/2012 20:36

So am I supposed to have it before 28 weeks if I have CVS or a bleed? That's not been mentioned to me, just to book in for 28 weeks...

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Kelbells · 04/07/2012 21:27

Yes Badger It wasn't mentioned to me either, I read it online when I was googling my early bleeding... Anytime after 12 weeks I believe.

oikopolis · 04/07/2012 22:20

i'm in Canada, and if you're +ve they give you Rhogam even if you just have spotting, at any time in pg after they've done the viability scan (6 weeks or so).

i think they err on the side of caution because they don't want to come up to the 12-week dating scan and realise you're actually ahead of your LMP date, iyswim. you probably only need it after 12 weeks.

gnocci · 04/07/2012 22:59

I was told you'll need it even if your DH is neg as they won't take your word for it that your DH is the baby's father and risk a future child's life!!!

tazmo · 04/07/2012 23:05

V important to protect you and baby - can cause probs if you produce antibodies against the baby - plus if you want more children as well.

gnocci · 04/07/2012 23:09

Antibodies won't harm the current baby but will harm future babies if they have + blood.

AThingInYourLife · 05/07/2012 01:02

"I was told you'll need it even if your DH is neg as they won't take your word for it that your DH is the baby's father and risk a future child's life!!!"

Hmm

Well it's not up to them, it's up to you whether you consent to having it.

It is true that they sometimes won't bother mentioning that it is completely pointless unless the baby's father is rh+

Badger - yes, any falls or bleeds and you will need it. That is a lot more important than the prophylactic shot at 28 weeks (used to be two shots at 25ish, 32ish weeks but changed on cost grounds).

If your baby is positive, you'll need another shot after birth.

gnocci · 05/07/2012 08:38

I know! I was really offended!!!! But the midwife said they will "still insist" you have it.....!!

PurplePidjin · 05/07/2012 08:47

They inject it in your bum Shock

I get a mw appt at 28w and will have it then apparently; dp is definitely + and I'm -, we're blood donors. Yet another reason to give up a couple of hours a year scoffing crisps and biscuits Wink

BeatriceBean · 05/07/2012 08:54

I remember a consultant trying to ask me in a roundabout way whether I was 100% sure husband was the father ( both rhesus negative)!

twofurryones · 05/07/2012 08:56

I have an anti-D appointment today I'm 30 weeks, so assume timing not that sensitive. Not that I'll be having the injection as DH is also negative. DH had a blood test when I was pg with DS but for some reason they wouldn't do it this time and made me book an appointment. This may be to give me an opportunity to get the jab without DH being aware should there be a need, and I can see how that might be useful for some women but it is total a waste of time for me.

AThingInYourLife · 05/07/2012 09:06

I'm not surprised, gnocchi.

They don't get to "insist" on anything. I would have been seriously unimpresed by a midwife taking that kind of imperious tone.

Lots of women with rh+ partners choose not to have the injections because it's only once you've had a rh+ baby that it becomes an issue.

I've always had my injections in my arm, never fear :)

ArthurPewty · 05/07/2012 09:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Overreactionoftheweek · 05/07/2012 09:17

Yes you do need to have it before 28 weeks if you have the cvs or a bleed...it does hurt a bit but I only had one in the end as they then realised they got my blood type wrong!!

BeatriceBean · 05/07/2012 09:59

I had it the first time as I hadn't realised you 100% don't need it if you're both -ve. Second time I just told the MW I didn't need it as we were both -ve and it was just put on my notes that it had been offered and refused.

Original poster
BadgerFace · 05/07/2012 10:51

Thanks folks - DH is ringing the clinic today to see if they will give him a blood test or if he asks his GP for it - I am not having it done if he is negative too.

If they start on about the possibility that he is not the father then I will point out that there will be a damn big law suit against their hospital if that's the case given that they did our IVF!!

Fomgers crossed DH is negative...!

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