Two Vital Tests Before an Abortion

Two Tests Many Patients Don’t Know to Ask About Before an Abortion

If you are considering an abortion, you may already understand that it is very important to have an ultrasound before the procedure. Ultrasound is commonly used to confirm your pregnancy and estimate gestational age. However, in addition to an ultrasound, there are two other tests that should be performed but are not always discussed: screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a blood test to determine your Rh factor. These tests can provide important information about your health and help guide appropriate medical care to protect your health and safety now and in the future.

Why STI Testing May Be Recommended

If you are considering an abortion, your healthcare provider may recommend testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is a routine step to help keep you safe by identifying and treating infections early, which lowers the risk of complications.

Some infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, do not always cause symptoms. This means you could feel fine and still have an infection. Recent studies show that some people seeking abortion test positive for these infections even when they have no symptoms (CDC, 2021; WHO, 2023).

Testing is important because untreated infections can increase the risk of complications. During an abortion, bacteria can sometimes move into the uterus and lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Although this is uncommon, the risk is higher when infections are not treated.

PID may cause symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, fever, or unusual discharge. In more serious cases, it can affect future reproductive health, including increasing the risk of infertility or ectopic pregnancy.

Health guidelines, including those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea before pregnancy-related procedures, including abortion.

If you are thinking about abortion, STI testing is one of the routine steps your provider should discuss to help support your safety.

Understanding the Rh Factor Blood Test

As part of your care, your provider may also recommend a blood test to check your Rh factor. This test looks for a protein on your red blood cells. If you have it, you’re Rh-positive. If you don’t, you’re Rh-negative.

This matters because, if you’re Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, your body could react if a small amount of fetal blood enters your bloodstream. In that situation, your immune system might start making antibodies. This is called Rh sensitization.

This usually doesn’t affect a first pregnancy. But if it isn’t addressed, those antibodies could affect a future pregnancy by attacking the red blood cells of an Rh-positive fetus. This can lead to a condition called hemolytic disease of the newborn, which can cause anemia and other complications.

The good news is that this is very preventable. That’s why guidelines recommend Rh testing for all pregnancies, including before an abortion. If you are Rh-negative, your provider may give you a medication called RhoGAM after the abortion. This helps prevent your body from developing those antibodies (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2017).

The test is a simple step to protect your health now and in the future.

    Making Informed Decisions About Your Care

    Scheduling a free appointment with Pregnancy Help Clinic is a good way to get personalized guidance and learn about your options. Our licensed healthcare professionals will listen to you, answer your questions, provide vital information, and help you understand your next steps.

    Pregnancy Help Clinic offers:

    • Free pregnancy testing
    • Free ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy
    • Low-cost STI testing to identify infections early and reduce health risks

    By visiting Pregnancy Help Clinic, you can get accurate information, access supportive care, and take steps to protect your health, all in a safe, welcoming environment.

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    References

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.
    https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/default.htm

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2017). Screening for Rh(D) incompatibility in pregnancy: Recommendation statement. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/rh-d-incompatibility-screening

    World Health Organization. (2023). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
    https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)