Rh Factor Patient Information

 

What is Rh Factor?

The Rh factor is a protein that can be found on the surface of red blood cells. If your blood cells have this protein you are Rh positive. If your blood cells do not have this protein, you are Rh negative. The “positive” or “negative” part of your blood type, such as O+ or A- refers to your Rh status. During pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage and abortion problems can occur if you are Rh negative and the fetus is Rh positive. Treatment can be given to prevent these problems.

If you are having an abortion at 12 weeks or more and know you are Rh negative:

Rh negative pregnant individuals can have a reaction to an Rh positive pregnancy.  This can cause harm to future pregnancies.  Without treatment, stillbirth and other serious fetal complications can occur.  Providing Rh antibodies (Rhogam, HyperRho), a prescription injection,  within 72 hours of an abortion to an Rh negative person reduces the risk of having the reaction and prevents complications with future pregnancies.  Abortions at less than 12 weeks do not require Rhogam.

In Rh negative patients who do not receive Rhogam and have a medication abortion, the chance of problems in a future pregnancy related to this reaction with a medication abortion is about 2%.  With a suction or procedural abortion the risk is about 5%.

Rhogam is not needed if:

• Abortion is less than 12 weeks.
• Future pregnancies are not planned.
• Partner is Rh negative. 
• The 2-5% risk of an affected future pregnancy does not cause concern for you.
• You do not want to use a blood product  (a medication made from human blood)

If you are Rh negative and Rh antibody injection (Rhogam, HyperRho) is needed, you can come to WE Health Clinic or get this through a local provider (OB/GYN or Emergency Room).  The provider can be told about the abortion or be told it was a miscarriage at home.   WE Health Clinic may be able to assist with this if the patient gives permission to speak to the provider.  

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If you don’t know your Rh status or blood type:

Rh negative pregnant individuals can have a reaction to an Rh positive pregnancy.  This can cause harm to future pregnancies.  Without treatment, stillbirth and other serious fetal complications can occur.  Providing Rh antibodies (Rhogam, HyperRho) , a prescription injection,  within 72 hours of an abortion to an Rh negative person reduces the risk of having the reaction and prevents complications with future pregnancies.  Abortions at less than 12 weeks do not require Rhogam.

Rh negative status is present in 15% of white North Americans, 5% of Black African Americans, 2% of Native Americans, 5% of Indian nationality, < 1% of Chinese, Japanese, Thai.  

The chance of problems in a future pregnancy with a medication abortion and unknown Rh is likely less than 2%.  With a suction abortion the risk is about 5%.

Options for telehealth patients who want to check their Rh status:

• WE Health Clinic can send you an at-home blood typing kit
• Come to WE Health Clinic for Rh testing

Checking Rh is not important if:

• Abortion is less than 12 weeks.
• Future pregnancies are not planned.
• Partner is Rh negative. 
• The 2-5% risk of an affected future pregnancy does not cause concern for you.
• You do not want to use a blood product  (a medication made from human blood)

If you are Rh negative and Rh antibody injection (Rhogam, HyperRho) is needed, you can come to WE Health Clinic or get this through a local provider (OB/GYN or Emergency Room).  The provider can be told about the abortion or be told it was a miscarriage at home.   WE Health Clinic may be able to assist with this if the patient gives permission to speak to the provider.