There are several things to consider if you are contemplating an at-home abortion, including whether or not you should be tested for your Rh status prior to having a medical abortion. Rh is short for Rhesus. Rhesus is an inherited protein that can be found in your red blood cells. If a blood test finds your blood to have this protein, you are Rh positive. Subsequently, if your blood does not have this protein, you are negative.
So why does this matter, and how does it affect a medical abortion? The answer lies in your pregnancy. Your blood can mix with the baby’s blood during pregnancy, especially if you experience bleeding or abdominal trauma from an abortion or miscarriage. When you are Rh negative, but your baby is Rh positive, there is the possibility that your body will produce antibodies that can be harmful during your next pregnancy. So even if you are not planning to keep your current pregnancy, you could face issues when you are ready to have a child in the future. Essentially, your body will develop an immune response that will affect your future unborn babies. Because of this, having an Rh immune globulin injection can protect your future pregnancies and health.
Abortions And Rh Factor
When you first confirm your pregnancy, typically your doctor will test for the Rh factor within the first trimester. However, you do not receive in-person care when you are receiving an at-home abortion, and the likelihood of being screened for the Rh factor is minimal. This can cause many problems in the future when a simple test and administration of Rh D immune globulin could minimize your risks from 13-16% to 1.8%.
Should I Get Tested For Rh Factor Before My Abortion?
As the research shows, getting tested before an at-home abortion can prevent future pregnancies from being at risk. It’s also essential to determine your pregnancy gestation through ultrasound to ensure that you have a viable pregnancy and not an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage. In addition, when receiving an at-home abortion, you are not receiving the proper care before the procedure, which can put your health at risk. If you need more resources and information about your pregnancy, we offer no-cost ultrasounds and consultations to help you make an informed and safe decision. You deserve to have all the information you need to keep yourself safe.
If you need help or pregnancy confirmation, we are here to help. Call to make an appointment today, we know this can be a challenging time, and we are here to help you without any judgment.
