If you have an unexpected pregnancy and are considering using the abortion pill, it’s important to know your blood type and what is known as your blood’s “Rh Factor.” Without this information, your future pregnancies could be affected.
(Please note, no content of this article is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.)
What is blood type related to Rh Factor?
The main blood type classifications are A, B, AB, and O. Your blood also has an “Rh Factor” that is positive or negative, depending on whether certain proteins are in your blood. If the proteins are present on the red blood cells, your blood type is considered positive. If no protein is present, your blood type is negative.
Why should I know my blood type and Rh Factor before taking the abortion pill?
When the blood of an Rh-positive fetus mixes with the blood of an Rh-negative woman, her body will recognize that it does not belong and will create antibodies to fight it. This is called being Rh-sensitized.
85% of people have a positive blood type. That leaves only 15% of the population having a negative blood type. The likelihood that a woman with a negative blood type might carry a child with a positive blood type are quite high.
If you are a woman with an Rh-negative blood type, you will need a special shot, called RHoGAM, any time there is a possibility that the fetus’s blood could mix with your blood, such as during:
- Miscarriage
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Abortion
- Prenatal tissue testing (e.g. Amniocentesis, Chorionic villus sampling)
- Abdominal trauma
RHoGAM works by stopping your body from creating antibodies against the fetus’s positive blood. Having this shot now is important for protecting future pregnancies.
Without RHoGAM, the antibodies created in your body stay in your bloodstream. These antibodies can harm future pregnancies by causing anemia in the baby. Severe anemia in a baby could result in disability or death.
Not knowing your blood type and taking the abortion pill could therefore jeopardize any future pregnancies you may have. Consult your doctor about getting tested for Rh Factor.
What should I do if I am Rh-negative and considering an abortion?
If you know you have Rh-negative blood, or you are unsure of your blood type, it is important to tell your healthcare provider before any abortion procedure or treatment so they can confirm your blood type and Rh Factor first. If you are Rh-negative, you may need an injection called RhoGAM. RhoGAM is given within 72 hours of a procedure to help prevent your immune system from developing antibodies which could affect a future pregnancy. Your healthcare provider can help determine whether RhoGAM is recommended based on your individual situation.
What should I do if I am Rh-negative and have already had an abortion?
If you are Rh-negative and have already had an abortion, Rh-sensitization may have already occurred. Contact the healthcare provider or facility where your abortion was performed to ask whether RhoGAM was administered. When recommended, RhoGAM is most effective if it is given within 72 hours of the abortion. If more than 72 hours have passed, you should contact your healthcare provider for guidance on next steps, especially before getting pregnant again.
Schedule a Pregnancy Test and Ultrasound
If you took a positive pregnancy test, we at Waterleaf Women’s Center can provide you with a free lab-quality pregnancy confirmation test as well as ultrasound, even if you are considering the abortion pill. An ultrasound provides crucial information about your pregnancy, such as the location, gestational age, and viability of your pregnancy. This information will help you make an informed decision.
Schedule a safe, confidential, judgment free appointment at Waterleaf today by calling/texting 630-360-2256 confidentially. No insurance is required. If you’ve taken the first abortion pill and changed your mind, learn more about the possibility of Abortion Pill Reversal here.