Rh Immune Globulin
Why It Is Used
Rh immune globulin is given to all Rh-negative women who may be carrying an Rh-positive fetus. While it prevents Rh sensitization, Rh immune globulin cannot prevent damage to an Rh-positive fetus if the mother is already sensitized to the Rh factor.
Rh immune globulin should be given to an Rh-negative woman to prevent sensitization:Reference 1
- After Reference amniocentesis Opens New Window, fetal blood sampling, or Reference chorionic villus sampling Opens New Window.
- When bleeding occurs in the second or third Reference trimester Opens New Window of pregnancy.
- At 28 weeks of pregnancy.
- After an Reference external cephalic version Opens New Window of a Reference breech Opens New Window fetus.
- After abdominal trauma during pregnancy.
- Within 72 hours after delivery of an Rh-positive infant.
- After a threatened or complete Reference miscarriage Opens New Window, or an induced abortion.
- Before or immediately after treatment for Reference ectopic pregnancy Opens New Window or a Reference partial molar pregnancy Opens New Window.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 20, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine |
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