Why do I need blood tests before an abortion?

Why test your blood at all?

When you come to us for an abortion, you may simply want it to be over, quickly and quietly. So it is natural to wonder why we ask for a blood sample and a urine sample first. The answer is simple. These tests tell us things about your body that cannot be seen from the outside, and each one helps us make your care safer. The samples are collected during your visit, and they take only a few minutes of your time.

Together with your ultrasound scan, the tests let us choose the right treatment, the right anaesthesia and the right medicines for you, and find anything that should be treated first. Abortion care with us is lawful care under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, given at a government-licensed hospital, and these checks are part of doing it properly. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

What does the complete blood count show, and why does anaemia matter most?

The complete blood count, often called a CBC, measures your haemoglobin, the part of the blood that carries oxygen. If it is low, you are anaemic. Anaemia is common among women, and many do not know they have it. They may simply feel tired, breathless or dizzy, or notice nothing at all.

Of all the tests, this is the one we care about most. A woman who is anaemic has less in reserve to cope with the normal blood loss of an abortion, and may take longer to recover. So if we find anaemia, we treat it before the procedure, usually with iron and, occasionally, when it is severe, with a blood transfusion. Correcting it first means your body is better prepared for your care and for the recovery afterwards.

The same test also counts your white blood cells, which can give an early clue to an infection, and your platelets, which help your blood to clot.

Why do we check your liver and kidneys?

Liver function tests, and creatinine, a kidney test, show how well these two organs are working. Your liver and kidneys clear medicines and anaesthesia from the body. Knowing they are working well helps us choose the safest medicines and anaesthesia for you, and adjust the plan if anything is not quite right.

For a surgical abortion, which is done under anaesthesia, our policy is that you come with a responsible adult who can take you home afterwards; for other types of abortion, you may come on your own. If arranging a companion is hard, tell us when you call and we will help you find a way.

Why do we need your blood group and Rhesus type?

Your blood group includes your Rhesus type, which is either positive or negative. Most people are Rhesus positive, and for them nothing more is needed. If you are Rhesus negative, we give you a protective injection called anti-D. This helps stop your body from making antibodies that could cause problems in a later pregnancy, so it helps protect your future pregnancies. Knowing your blood group also means we are prepared in the rare event that a transfusion is needed. You can read more about abortion and future fertility.

What does the urine test look for?

A routine urine test looks for signs of a urinary infection, which can be present without obvious symptoms. If an infection is found, we treat it first, so that it cannot spread or slow your recovery. The urine test can also give clues to raised sugar or other problems that deserve a closer look.

Why check your blood sugar and HbA1c?

We check your blood sugar, and a test called HbA1c, which shows your average blood sugar over the past few months. Diabetes is common and often goes unnoticed. High sugar slows healing and makes infection more likely, so if your sugar is high, we bring it under control first and plan your care around it. If you already know you have diabetes, the HbA1c shows how well it has been controlled.

When is a thyroid test added?

Sometimes we add a thyroid test, for example if you have symptoms such as unusual tiredness, weight changes or irregular periods, or if you have had a thyroid problem before. An untreated thyroid problem can affect how your body copes with treatment and anaesthesia, and it is easy to manage once it is known. You can read more about thyroid disorders in pregnancy.

How do these tests fit with the rest of your safety?

The blood tests are one layer of safety, and the ultrasound scan is another. On the day, if a procedure is needed, two further standards protect you. We use 100% single-use disposable instruments, opened fresh for you and never used on anyone else, which keeps everything clean and protects against cross-contamination between patients. And every surgical procedure, whether suction or D&C, is done under real-time ultrasound guidance. The doctor watches your womb on the screen throughout, which lowers the risk of complications such as perforation. It also shows the exact moment the womb is empty, so the procedure stops right there, with no unnecessary scraping, which helps protect the lining of your womb for future pregnancies. You can read more about what makes an abortion safe.

Getting started

All of this happens in person at the hospital in Goa. We do not send any medicine by post or courier, and we do not carry out any abortion by phone. A call, a message or an online consultation can tell you whether treatment is feasible and guide your next step, but the tests, the scan and any treatment happen when you come in. Your results are discussed with you and stay private, and married or unmarried, you are treated the same, with respect. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.

Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641

This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.