A (very) stupid question about the anti-D injection...

[MoominIsGoingToBeAMumWaitWHAT]

I've got my anti-D injection on Valentine's day. I've done all the research etc, know why I'm having it, know why it's important, and I'm usually fine with injections, needles of any kind (except for those IV cannulas they put in your hand, oh my goodness I hate those but that's a different story) - but one thing I couldn't find out is where do they inject you? Is it into your arm? How much does it hurt and does it leave your arm really stiff? (I do a really practical uni course and if it's like the flu jab, which left me unable to move my arm for two days, I should probably let them know!!)

Thank you

I was given a choice if I wanted the anti-d in my thigh or arm I chose arm as it was a male mw that appointment, now that I've given birth I wouldn't really care next time to have a man give me an injection in my thigh
I had the whooping cough and flu jab last winter can't remember exactly when for either the mw told me at check-ups to make an appointment with the gp I think the whooping cough was about 25 weeks but might be making that up!

Just to warn you I felt a bit sick and dizzy for a day after the first anti-d but I had also had a blood test done on the same day so don't know if it was connected to that....

When I had DS1 ( almost 6 years ago) I had it in my bum, not bad at all. I had it again a couple of weeks ago (I'm 30 weeks with number 2) expecting same thing and it was in my arm, was sore for a couple of days after but actual jab not that bad, same as with flu jab and whooping cough.

Whooping cough jab is recommended for pregnant women after 28 weeks because of recent outbreaks on small children which can be life threatening, meant to give baby some immunity from when they are born until their own jab at 8 weeks.

Anti-d should be given in the arm, the reason is to do with absorption and making sure it stays in the body forlong enough to do the job it was intended for. Why arm over bum is better for that I have no idea but that's what the recommendation is..... I am a little surprised athow many ladies here have had it in the bum instead....

I had mine in two doses, both in my arms. Don't remember being sore afterwards either.

I had mine in my arm. I was all ready for it to really hurt but it was fine. Having said that I am the opposite of needle phobic (I love watching when they take blood-it's like magic how they fill up) so I may not be the best judge.

Thanks guys :) well wherever it is I'll warn my uni that I might be off for a full morning just in case it's a bit more sore than I'm expecting

I had mine in my arm and it didnt hurt when they did it or afterwards BUT it did make me feel immediately dizzy and sickly for a short while. A glass of water, being fanned by the midwife and a few minutes to gather myself helped and I was ok. I really dont want to worry you but I'm telling you this because I'd gone on my own and had to drive home, I ended up sat in the car in the car park for about 20 minutes before I felt sure I was ok to drive - so you might be best thinking about taking somebody with you just in case.
But during the jab and afterwards was totally fine - hope you're ok with it x

I had anti d a few weeks ago in the top of my thigh, it really stung at the time but didn't leave a bruise or anything. They made me sit in the waiting area afterwards for 20 mins to make sure I didn't have a reaction.
I was glad it wasn't in my arm as when I had flu jab and whooping cough job my arm was really swollen and sore for days after. Whooping cough jab is given after 28 weeks in my area.

stillpukin I thought they were supposed to keep you in for a while to prevent that happening?

I found the whopping cough jab hurt more afterwards. The anti d was just fine. It takes a little while for them to do the injection though, it's not as quick as the flu or whopping cough jabs.

eeyoreish Thanks for that, after reading this thread I now realise I was not particularly unusual,,, the midwife that gave me the jab suggested it was a 'panic attack' - I had never had an attack before and knew it wasn't, so its good to know I was right x

I had most of mine in my arm. I did some research with some colleagues about injection sites. Anti D is a very thick liquid and thats the reason why its very nippy.

Research has shown that having the injection in your upper arm is less sore than in your thigh. Also if you really clench your fist then relax just before injection - muscles relax more easily.

In the thigh it is much more sorer.
Hope this helps

Mine was in my arm, didn't hurt afterwards. After she was born I didn't need another because she is rhesus negative too.

In your bum and it hurts. Sorry. But necessary.

Ah so I'm guessing midwife will probably mention whooping cough jab tomorrow?

I'll ask her where they tend to do it in my area tomorrow too if she knows.

I had a panic attack when I had my ears pierced with a piercing gun when I was little but needles have never bothered me oddly it's just a case of forewarned is forearmed, glad I started this thread otherwise I'd have been all ready to be injected in my arm only to be greeted with "pull your trousers down"