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Maybe! It really depends on a few things:

• If you have a negative blood type
• If you’re having an abortion or miscarriage after 12 weeks of pregnancy
• If you want to have children in the future

If you answered YES to all of the above, it is recommended to get an injection called Rh-immunoglobulin (commonly known as brand name RhoGAM).

What is RhoGAM and why is it so important?

(Here’s where it gets a little medical—read on if you're curious, or you can skip to the part how to find out if you're Rh-negative.)

If your blood type is Rh-negative and you're pregnant with a fetus who has an Rh-positive blood type, this is called Rh incompatibility. When this happens, there’s a chance for something called Rh sensitization.

Rh sensitization means that if Rh-positive blood from the fetus mixes with your Rh-negative blood, your body can have an immune reaction by creating antibodies that may attack Rh-positive blood cells and cause harm to a future desired pregnancy.

When someone with Rh-negative blood is exposed to Rh-positive blood, their immune system can become “sensitized.” That means it starts making antibodies against the Rh-positive blood, treating it like an invader and trying to destroy it.

This immune response usually doesn’t cause problems during the first pregnancy because the pregnant person’s blood usually doesn’t mix with the fetus’s blood until delivery, therefore antibodies don’t form until after delivery. But in future pregnancies, if the fetus has Rh-positive blood, those antibodies could attack the fetus’s red blood cells leading to a condition called hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) or miscarriage.

During routine prenatal care pregnant people with Rh-negative blood types will receive an injection from their provider called RhoGAM to stop these antibodies from forming. This injection is given around 28 weeks of pregnancy and then again within 72 hours after the delivery to make sure future pregnancies are safe.

For people having an abortion or miscarriage and who plan to have kids in the future, the RhoGAM shot will protect those future pregnancies. New research shows that if you’re under 12 weeks, there's no reason to get RhoGAM before or after taking the pills or having an abortion procedure, since there's no evidence that Rh sensitization can occur this early in pregnancy. After 12 weeks, however, the pregnant person should get a RhoGAM shot within 3 days of taking mifepristone or misoprostol or within 3 days of having an abortion procedure to help avoid Rh sensitization in the future.

How can I find out if I’m Rh negative?

If you’ve given birth before, had a blood transfusion or donated blood you may already know this! Your blood type doesn’t change so it's not something that needs to be done over and over again.

If you don’t already know your Rh status before your appointment, that is ok. For people above 12 weeks pregnant you will be able to have a blood test to find out your Rh status during your appointment. If you would like to know your Rh status before your appointment there are a few options:

• Ask your parents or your doctor, they may already know!
• Next time you get your blood drawn you can ask if they will check your Rh status
• At-home blood test or self-order lab visit
• Blood donation

If you know your Rh status or are planning to bring a copy of your blood work results with you to your abortion appointment, just verify before your appointment that they will accept self-reported results or results from elsewhere.

Do I need to know my blood type before traveling to my appointment?

You only need RhoGAM if you’re Rh-negative and over 12 weeks pregnant. If you would like to try to find out your Rh status before you travel to your appointment you can use one of the options discussed above. If that is not possible when you arrive at your appointment your Rh status will be checked or you may be offered RhoGAM even if you don’t know your blood type as it is generally not dangerous to receive RhoGAM if you are Rh positive. 

Does the doctor need to know my partner’s blood type?

If you are Rh negative and 100% certain your partner is also Rh negative, then the pregnancy’s blood type would also be negative and there’s no need for the RhoGAM injection.

How soon after an abortion or miscarriage should I get a RhoGAM shot?

Within 3 days of taking mifepristone or misoprostol or within 3 days of having an abortion procedure or miscarriage. But, if you aren’t able to get RhoGAM within 3 days of recommended time, talk to a medical provider. Or call or text the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline at (833) 246-2632

I’m having an abortion or miscarriage at home, how do I get RhoGAM?

If you’re under 12 weeks pregnant, you do not need it.

If you’re over 12 weeks pregnant some options include calling your obgyn, midwife, primary care provider or going to the ER. You do not need to say that you had an abortion, some people say they had miscarriage and need the RhoGAM shot. Remember it’s recommended to get the shot within 3 days of the abortion or miscarriage.

It’s also not harmful to get a RhoGAM injection if you’re unable to get a blood test or are unsure what your blood type is.

Have questions before, during or after an abortion?
Reach out to the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline to talk with a volunteer doctor. Call or text (833) 246-2632