When should Rhogam be administered during pregnancy?

Rhogam, also known as Rh immunoglobulin, is administered to Rh-negative mothers to prevent the development of antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells, which can occur if the mother is sensitized to Rh-positive blood from her fetus. This sensitization can lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn in subsequent pregnancies, where the mother's immune system attacks the red blood cells of an Rh-positive baby.

The administration of Rhogam is particularly critical when the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive. This situation can arise if the father of the baby is Rh-positive, which is often the case. If the baby's Rh status is Rh-positive, there is a risk that fetal blood cells may enter the maternal circulation, especially during delivery or if there are any complications during pregnancy. By administering Rhogam in this scenario, it helps to prevent the development of maternal Rh antibodies, thus protecting future pregnancies.

Other circumstances, such as if the mother is Rh-positive, do not warrant Rhogam since there is no risk of sensitization. The situation of the baby being Rh-negative does not indicate a need for Rhogam, as the risk of sensitization is only present if the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive. Finally