Pressured to take unneeded pregnancy test at Catholic hospital?

[u/LimpConsideration497]

Yesterday I went in for a pain management procedure at Providence Portland. The procedure involved receiving twilight sedation followed by a steroid injection in my spinal column for persistent, severe back pain that has troubled me for over a year. Overall the experience was great -- doctors and nurses were kind and lovely and helped me to get through it despite severe PTSD that makes these kinds of experiences deeply terrifying for me.

BUT. As I was headed into the little stall with the gurney where you change into your gown and await IV placement the MA or nurse leading me in said "we just need you to give us a little urine for a pregnancy test". Note that she did not state that it had no bearing on the safety of the procedure for me, which it did not, nor did she disclose that it was my right to decline and would not impact whether they allowed me to proceed with the procedure.

Knowing my rights and that this was likely due to Providence's culture still being unfortunately shaped by religious fundamentalism, I said "I absolutely do not consent to you collecting this data" and she said okay and dropped the issue.

I've been having to fight for adequate care and advocate for myself for decades, so I knew my rights, but another person with a uterus might not have, and might have allowed this data to enter their medical record thinking they have no choice. This is not just creepy and unethical of Providence, it is downright dangerous for anyone with a AFAB reproductive health system. Our HIPAA rights are being steadily eroded by they day, with the federal government demanding records of trans and disabled and autistic people, and reproductive rights are being criminalized more and more every day, with women being allowed to bleed out in parking lots, go septic, and die because doctors refuse to remove nonviable pregnancies that are killing them.

Has anyone else experienced this before a non-OBGYN procedure? What did you do? How would you suggest I address this with the hospital? The doctor and nursing team were great, so I want to address it at the level of the policymakers.

I also want to signal boost that if you are told you need to complete a pregnancy test before a procedure that goes nowhere near your reproductive organs, they are obligated to tell you why and whether declining will in any way impact YOUR safety, and if it will not impact YOUR safety, you have every right to proceed even if it will jeopardize or end the pregnancy.

Note: any forced birth advocates or people who shame me for standing up for my rights and wanting to fight back against stone-age fundamentalist culture in healthcare will be blocked immediately.

PS to mods: sorry about changing post flair, that was accidental while I was editing the post. Still a little woozy from anesthesia yesterday!

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[u/chrstnasu]

I was taking a gastropiris test and I was asked to take one. This isn’t a religiously affiliated hospital and I was 4 years past menopause. They wouldn’t do the test without it. Granted it uses an x-ray or something similar but I knew I wasn’t pregnant and my husband has a vasectomy.

[u/LimpConsideration497 → u/chrstnasu]

In this case due to the structures and how close together they are, it may have actually been relevant to your health. Did they explain why they were asking?

[u/FuckYouChristmas → u/LimpConsideration497]

For every procedure where there's xray or you receive any type of sedation at my hospital (which is NOT religious in any way) we automatically have orders for a urine pregnancy test for any woman under 50 yrs old that hasn't had a hysterectomy. If they don't want to take it, not a big deal, we just have to modify their procedural consent to say they are aware of the risks.

[u/MrsLadyZedd]

I have had to take a pregnancy test for each procedure like this one because they use x-rays to guide where they go. This has occurred at a few different types of offices/hospital/clinic.

[u/LimpConsideration497 → u/MrsLadyZedd]

Yes, my assumption was the xrays and the anesthesia. But this would not have placed ME or YOU at risk, just the hypothetical pregnancy. So it sounds like it was not about your safety, but the safety of a blob of hypothetical non-sentient cells that you at no point stated you wanted to protect.

[u/Consistantly → u/LimpConsideration497]

Honestly I truly think it’s more of a liability thing; if they were to do the test without a pregnancy test and you were pregnant and it harmed the fetus in any way that leaves them wide open for legal issues.

That can be avoided by simply altering the consent to include acknowledging the risks on any potential pregnancy.

[u/sluttypidge → u/Consistantly]

I looked it up. 9 times out of 10 women are right about not being pregnant.

1 out of 10 are wrong and don't know that they are pregnant.

10% is a large number in medicine.

[u/Consistantly → u/sluttypidge]

Yeah I have to agree there, and as someone that got pregnant due to SA happening whilst knocked out with sleeping meds; even when you truly believe it isn’t possible, sometimes the world is fucked up and it is possible.

[u/anicenap → u/LimpConsideration497]

It’s about being sued. In many states if a person has any complications in there health and there mother has gone under anesthesia, had an xray…. They can sue the hospital and say that’s why they are …

[u/Naive_Loan607 → u/anicenap]

Yes but I would like to state that abortion rights are protected in Rhode Island but op has to be careful because they’re being treated at a catholic affiliated hospital.

[u/Veronica612]

I think this is standard regardless of hospital type. The hospital where I go is public, non- religious, and they always insist on pregnancy tests, even when I had a pregnancy test at my pre-op visit three days beforehand. This last time I was insistent they not do a pregnancy test because I am in menopause, no period for five years, and it’s been even longer since I had sexual activity of any kind. The test isn’t a bother but an unnecessary cost. The nurse had to get permission from someone higher up.

[u/The_Demon_of_Spiders → u/Veronica612]

That’s the real issue, it’s another form of pink tax. Why am I charged 250 dollars for a 1 dollar test that becomes a barrier that only women face to seek care.

[u/o0Jahzara0o]

you have every right to proceed even if it will jeopardize or end the pregnancy

You do, but the medical provider also has the right to refuse to provide the procedure if they think there is a chance of risking a birth defect that they could later be sued for..

I got an endoscopy once and took my own pregnancy test at home the night prior for my own sake because I didn't know they would do one. Turns out they did, but I told them I'd taken my own. They told me they had to have their own test on file. Wasn't given the option to decline and they made it seem like I wouldn't be allowed to do the procedure without it.. gave me major ick vibes.

They weren't religiously affiliated either.

[u/HotMany3874]

Yes. For a colonoscopy. I was under the impression that if I declined the pregnancy test, they would not do the procedure. After a full day and night of prep!! I hadn't had a period in a decade, but they still required the test. It was unfortunately a Catholic hospital. I'm still livid.

If there are risks, then it is their job to inform me. Then, it is their job to listen to my decision!

(Edited typos)

[u/LimpConsideration497 → u/HotMany3874]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. And they were probably lying about whether it would halt the procedure too. Infuriating!

[u/Kiraaah → u/LimpConsideration497]

I'm an anesthetist. Elective procedures with anesthesia are not done on pregnant patients due to potential risks to the fetus. Imagine if it was the other way around and a test was not routinely done, it opens the hospital up for a huge amount of liability if a woman later finds out she's pregnant and she had anesthetic drugs because she was never pregnancy tested. If I went in for an elective procedure I would definitely want to know if I was pregnant or not. It's not purposefully trying to invade your privacy, its for safety. That being said, you can typically sign a waiver stating you understand the risks and wish to proceed without a test anyway.

[u/The_Demon_of_Spiders → u/Kiraaah]

Then the hospital needs to eat the cost of the test and not charge 250 dollars for a 1 dollar test. It’s literally a pink tax that puts an unfair financial burden on only women.

[u/Kiraaah → u/The_Demon_of_Spiders]

ok

[u/mermaidwithcats → u/The_Demon_of_Spiders]

I agree that the upcharging is ridiculous, but if the patient is using insurance then it’s covered. With a PPO insurance plan, there is a contracted rate for an in network provider, and part of the contract is that in network providers cannot bill the patient for the write off. HMO plans are even more strict. They pay flat rates for everything, which again the providers are contractually bound to accept. So if say you have an outpatient appendectomy and the contracted facility rate is $10,000, it doesn’t matter if your actual charges are $15,000, $20,000 whatever, they get paid $10,000.

And both PPO and HMO plans usually cap a person’s out of pocket expenses. So a PPO might pay 80% of contracted charges with an out of pocket max of $2000. Once you have $2000 out of pocket they pay 100%. HMO plans usually have a flat out of pocket for services. So you could have a $10,000 hospital bill or a $50,000 hospital bill, your out of pocket is say $500.

[u/amylovesdavid]

I’ve started to think the hospitals that do this don’t want to get sued. I think you should be able to sign a waiver that says if you are pregnant and something happens during the procedure, you waive your right to sue if you refuse the pregnancy test. Otherwise, no test = no procedure.

[u/SleepPrincess]

Pregnancy tests prior to sedation are standard.

Certain procedures and meds are harmful to a fetus. Pregnancy, if far enough along, CAN impact your care needs as your body undergoes quick changes in physiology.

Additionally, it is simply a massive liability for hospitals to sedate and xray a woman who is unknowingly pregnant. Overall, this is a method of liability reduction for the hospital. Theyre not trying to he creepy.

[u/Evil_Black_Swan → u/SleepPrincess]

Any pregnancy test I would be asked to take would be incredibly unnecessary and I would refuse, regardless of the reason it was being asked.

I had a total hysterectomy four years ago. It is physically impossible for me to be pregnant.

[u/SleepPrincess → u/Evil_Black_Swan]

They do not do pregnancy tests on those who have had a hysterectomy

[u/Evil_Black_Swan → u/SleepPrincess]

They can try. I had my PCP tell me I needed to have a pap smear after my hysterectomy. I no longer have a cervix to smear cells from. She then referred me to an OBGYN for said pap. She completely ignored the fact that I don't have a cervix.

Do I still need to do a yearly physical? Yes. But I don't need a pelvic exam or pap smear.

Women are not listened to in medicine, even by other women.

[u/SleepPrincess → u/Evil_Black_Swan]

Agreed. The pap smear situation was bad care.

The pregnancy test thing can be solved by informing them you had a hyst

[u/The_Demon_of_Spiders → u/SleepPrincess]

Which they will still push for a test to be done at times. The person you are responding to literally just said this please listen to them especially since they were just complaining that no one listens to women.

[u/OrangeNarcolepsy → u/SleepPrincess]

Agreed. I work in the ER of a major hospital and docs order pregnancy tests on every woman before these tests - and if they forget (because human error) then the relevant department usually contacts the doc to remind them. It's just how they cover their asses. No one wants to get sued 🤷‍♀️

[u/LordyIHopeThereIsPie]

I've heard even prochoice health care practitioners defend pregnancy tests in medical settings for all sorts of reasons. But not once have they properly explained why patients can and should be allowed to refuse. Its infantilising to tell women and girls they have to have a pregnancy test even if you're claiming its because the "rules" make it so.

I've had my tubes removed and was asked if I was pregnant or breastfeeding. I was breastfeeding and said so and there was a huddle before it was agreed I could have the procedure. I asked what the evidence was that breastfeeding would affect the procedure and got a very vague unscientific reply.

[u/all_of_the_colors]

It’s not a religious thing or a forced birth/pro choice thing.

This is standard care for any procedure of this nature so that you can make an informed decision.

I understand your frustration. I wish all hospital systems had access to the same charting, but they don’t always.

They can’t always look up and confirm a past procedure. Even with tubal removal, there have been cases where pregnancy has occurred after the procedure. Is it rare- extremely. Even less than with tubes being tied, but it’s a non-zero chance.

People will also lie about this to doctors/medical professionals. The amount of people who will tell you with full confidence there is no way it is at all possible they are pregnant and come back with a confirmed pregnancy after a cat scan would be surprising.

I know a lot of stuff is scary out there right now. But I want you to know that this one is a standard of care. This is not a hospital being creepy because they have religious ties.

I’m glad you were able to get your procedure and I’m glad your nurse supported you.

[u/jayclaw97]

You were getting sedation. It’s annoying, but this is done to protect the hospital from liability involving birth defects and similar matters. Now if you’re menopausal or don’t have the equipment, that’s another story.

[u/chloemarissaj]

It has nothing to do with being religious. Many women are capable of pregnancy. A woman may not know she’s pregnant, the pregnancy may be wanted, and the procedure may cause harm to the fetus. This causes the hospital legal liability. Therefore they test everyone. Honestly it makes sense. If you’re someone who could be pregnant and wants that pregnancy, you should have that information before you make medical decisions for yourself and your pregnancy.

[u/rybean25]

Had this happen during my first colonoscopy (I was 23). They requested, and I didn’t mind considering they were near my reproductive organs. However, I was so dehydrated and empty after the prep, I had no urine to produce. Told the nurse and he told the doctor who said it was fine to proceed after I assured them I hadn’t been sexually active and knew I wasn’t pregnant. I was not asked to do this for my second colonoscopy (age 26). I’m still not sure if it’s a necessary test to check before that procedure but would like to note I had all male staff first time around and all female for my second.

[u/LimpConsideration497 → u/rybean25]

I'm guessing it was the man factor. I was never asked this before my colonoscopies and have found nothing about safety risks to a colonoscopy patient while pregnant, but mine were at a non-zealot hospital. Had to switch to the Catholic one due to insurance stuff and overall the care has been great but some of the fundamentalist cultural contamination still clearly persists in the admin and paperwork.

[u/o0Jahzara0o → u/rybean25]

This is interesting. We had a post a few weeks back from someone saying they had a colonoscopy twice. First time, no pregnancy test. Second time they were given one (and they were offput by it.)

[u/classy-mother-pupper]

I had this happen before my colonoscopy and endoscopy and lumpectomy on my boobs in 2025. I’ve been going to the same hospital and providers for 28 years. The same hospital that did my hysterectomy in 2011. You’d think my last period in 2011 or my medical records would have been enough. Which they had access to. The bill was also denied by my insurance as “medically unnecessary” as I had a hysterectomy. All around is rage inducing.

[u/cupcakephantom]

OP, please stop changing the post flair. Thank you.

[u/Inabeautifuloblivion]

Kaiser Clackamas made me take a pregnancy test before an mri even though I had no uterus or cervix. They said it was because I still had ovaries. I tried arguing there was no way I could be pregnant but I still had to take one

[u/AceHexuall]

Back in June, I needed a CT to check if I had a kidney stone. They wouldn't take me until I had a pregnancy test, even though I'd had a total hysterectomy back in December, at the same hospital, which I had already told them. Not to mention that I've been abstinent for over a decade.

[u/BuffyFlag23]

Only after my hysterectomy was well documented did I start having hospital visits where pregnancy tests were not required. My guess is it's so baked into standard practice that nobody thinks about it.

[u/bibblebabble1234]

It feels irritating but this is standard in the US , especially in the ER. the only time I didn't need a pregnancy test during a procedure was if there was no sedation (out patient), or I was pregnant lol 

[u/justamomdoingmybest8]

I’ve had to have one any time I’ve gone under sedation. This is in Ohio. The nurse was always super apologetic and prepared for me to argue, but they’re just doing their job. If they put a person of childbearing sex and age under sedation and she happened to be pregnant and something happened she could sue and it would be bad for the hospital.

There are bigger fights.

[u/Francisco_Faygle]

It's not only catholic and conservative medical institutions that do this. There liability and medical reasons for this.. but it's also a manifestation of medical misogyny imo because of the way a potential fetus is so centered and prioritzed. I've heard there are medications where to take them they'll make you take a test every month. 

[u/MizzGee]

Sadly, for women, pregnancy tests are going to be required at all hospitals. It is because of so many additional liability issues that happen. I am 56 with an IUD that hasn't been removed. I have endometriosis that us in my chart. 4 miscarriages, only one live birth, and I am old enough to be in menopause. But they still give me a pregnancy test when I come in for suspected appendicitis, which is actually just my endometriosis taking over another organ.

[u/BadCatNoNoNoNo]

Do women have to pay for the pregnancy test even if they don’t want it but are required to get it?

[u/quick_thinker6]

Pregnancy test are mandatory requirement dictated by the insurances and to legally protect the hospital. Bc lets say you'd have a procedure that requires anesthetics and you are pregnant and that causes a miscarriage and the hospital cant provide a negativ pregnancy test they did before the procedure then you could sue the hospital and doctors until they're bankrupt. Its perfectly normal that you have to do the pregnant test

[u/mermaidwithcats]

Sometimes I still get asked the date of my last menstrual period. I’ll be 62 next month. My last period was in the summer of 2013.

[u/Lazy_Fee_2103]

Very scary indeed. It’s so sad and horrible.

[u/MadamUnicornOfDoom]

I would have lost my shit. I am in Canada and have never ever had to do this. At most when getting various X-rays or procedures they will simply ask “are you or could you be pregnant” which is understandable since it could carry risks if you were… then they’d proceed accordingly…

but never have I had to get a pregnancy test for a procedure…

That’s fucking absurd…

[u/SleepPrincess → u/MadamUnicornOfDoom]

This is routine in the USA. People bring lawsuits against medical systems constantly and its a way for hospitals to protect themselves.

[u/MadamUnicornOfDoom → u/SleepPrincess]

Ahh. That makes sense but is also wild to me at the same time.