At what gestational week is RhoGAM typically administered?

RhoGAM, which is a form of Rh immunoglobulin, is typically administered at around 28 weeks of gestation to Rh-negative mothers who are carrying Rh-positive fetuses. This timing is crucial because it helps prevent the development of Rh sensitization, which can occur during pregnancy or childbirth when there is a mix of Rh-positive fetal blood and Rh-negative maternal blood. By administering RhoGAM at this point, the injection effectively neutralizes any Rh-positive red blood cells that may have entered the maternal circulation before the mother's immune system can respond to them and produce antibodies.

This preventive measure significantly reduces the risk of hemolytic disease of the newborn in subsequent pregnancies, where the mother’s immune system could attack the red blood cells of an Rh-positive baby. While RhoGAM can also be administered postpartum if the mother is Rh-negative and the newborn is Rh-positive, the administration at 28 weeks during pregnancy is a standardized practice aimed at proactive prevention of sensitization.