There are approximately 16 blood types such as type A, type B, type O, Rh positive and Rh negative, Quell factor and others. The only type that effects abortion or pregnancy is the Rh factor which is either postive [+] or negative [-]. Eighty-five percent of the population (including fetuses) are Rh[+]. The only problems are with Rh[-] women.
If an Rh[-] woman has an Rh[+] fetus and she has an abortion (or carries to full term), some of the fetal blood may get into the woman's circulation. The woman then becomes allergic to the Rh[+] factor and makes antibodies against it. This causes no immediate problem but if a later pregnancy is carried to term and if the woman has an Rh[+] baby, these antibodies will "fight" (have an allergic reaction to) the baby's blood and the baby at birth may need a blood exchange transfusion and may not survive.
We use a special injection called Rhogam at the time of an abortion which acts like a chemical sponge to soak up and neutralize any Rh[+] factors. Thus, the mother never becomes allergic to the Rh[+] factor, and therefore, there is no problem in the future. This is done with each abortion for the Rh[-] mothers and the same is done for normal deliveries for the same reason.
The injection has, since 1998, become very expensive and we must pass this cost onto you.
From our local bloodbank, here is the distribution of blood types.
| O pos | 38.5% | Can donate to O+, A+, B+, and AB+ |
| O neg | 6.5% | Can donate to anyone, O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB- |
| A pos | 34.3% | Can donate to A+, AB+ |
| A neg | 5.7% | Can donate to A+, A-, AB+, AB- |
| B pos | 8.6% | Can donate to B+, AB+ |
| B neg | 1.7% | Can donate to B+, B-, AB+, AB- |
| AB pos | 4.3% | Can donate to AB+ |
| AB neg | 0.7% | Can donate to AB+, AB- |
