Abortion

Choosing abortion can be a stressful decision, especially when you've just found out you are pregnant. Although we are not a medical clinic and we do not provide or arrange abortions, one of our support workers can talk you through abortion procedures, what to expect, how it might affect you, and answer any other questions you might have. We’ve seen that even just talking about it can reduce any anxiety you may have about it. We’re happy to support you in any way you need as you walk through this process.

There are various abortion procedures available during different stages of pregnancy. Approximately 90% of abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Depending on the situation, an ultrasound may be done before an abortion.

Medical Abortion (typically up to 9 weeks)

There are several methods of medical abortions available in Canada. One method is a combination of two drugs – mifepristone and misoprostol. The first pill, mifepristone, is taken by mouth. Mifepristone blocks the hormonal support necessary for a pregnancy to continue. The second drug, misoprostol, is taken buccally (absorbed through the cheek mucosa) or vaginally, one to two days later. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, and cramping and bleeding will occur as the embryo and placenta are expelled.

Other types of medical abortion include methotrexate (which stops cell growth) and misoprostol, or misoprostol alone.

Medical abortion requires a first appointment at the abortion clinic then a phone call 14 to 21 days after the first. 95% of abortions are declared complete at this phone appointment. If an incomplete abortion occurs, then a surgical procedure may be necessary.

Abortion Risks

Abortion is generally considered as a safe procedure.

Physical

heavy bleeding
infection
increased risk of premature births in subsequent pregnancies (after surgical evacuation of the uterus)
injury to cervix or uterus (during surgical evacuation of the uterus)
small risk of scarring that can be associated with infertility or miscarriage

Emotional

After an abortion, many women feel relief, while others can have complicated emotions. Reactions may be immediate, or conflicted feelings may come up years later. Responses vary. They depend on a woman’s age, stage of pregnancy, religious or cultural beliefs, previous mental health, the stability of her relationship with her partner, or whether others are pressuring her to have an abortion.

Women who experience complicated emotions after an abortion have reported the following reactions:

sadness or depression
guilt or shame
self-destructive behaviours
nightmares or flashbacks
low self-esteem
alcohol or drug abuse

At Options, we provide support for women who experience complicated emotions after an abortion. Our support workers can sit and listen to your story without judgement.

Surgical Abortion

Surgical abortion can be done until up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

With each of the following surgical procedures, the cervix is dilated (opened) to allow instruments to enter the uterus. Dilation may be done using misoprostol, laminaria (seaweed sticks), an osmotic dilator (expanding sponge), or metal rods. A local anesthetic and medication to reduce pain, blood loss, and risk of infection may be given. The tissue removed from the uterus may be examined to identify fragments of the embryo or fetus and the placenta.

There are different procedures which may be used for a surgical abortion:

First trimester

After dilation, abortion is performed by inserting a long tube (cannula) into the uterus and the contents are removed by suction.

Second and third trimester

Dilation & evacuation (D&E) requires two appointments. After 24 hours of dilation, this procedure may use forceps (and suction) to remove fetal parts. For abortions in the late second trimester, prior to the procedure, a needle may be used to inject potassium chloride at the fetal heart with ultrasound guidance, to ensure the fetal heart has stopped beating before evacuation.
Induction of labour may be used as an alternative in the second and third trimester. Labour is induced and the fetus is delivered. As above, potassium chloride may also be used prior to induction of labour to ensure the fetal heart has stopped beating before delivery.

If you decide that abortion is the decision you will take, we encourage you to talk to a medical professional.

Choosing to pursue a pregnancy or have an abortion is a significant event that can create a multitude of emotions. If you would like to discuss your choice further, vent or talk to someone who cares, before or after the procedure, we are here to listen.

You are also always welcome to come visit and talk through your abortion experience after.

Use our decision making tool

What do we mean by support workers?

Our mission at Options is to come alongside you in your walk with unplanned pregnancy and pregnancy loss. We meet you where you are at with empathy and confidentiality. We do this so that you know you aren’t alone and that you have support. Our support workers have all received client-care training built by our parent organization Pregnancy Care Canada. The support given at Options is not intended as a substitute for professional therapy. Speaking with a support worker can help normalize your experience, empower you to make informed decisions, and provide access to free and available community resources. We focus on supporting individuals at every level and strive to provide the necessary resources for navigating their journey, regardless of their pregnancy choices.

to learn more

Sherbrooke family planning clinic
Abortion services in Québec
Coleman P. K. (2011). Abortion and mental health: quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995-2009. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 199(3), 180–186. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.110.077230
Coleman, P., Boswell, K., Etzkorn, K., & Turnwald, R. (2017). Women Who Suffered Emotionally from Abortion: A Qualitative Synthesis of Their Experiences. Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, 22(4).

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After abortion support

Regardless of how long ago your abortion was, if you have been feeling complicated emotions since the procedure, we care about your story. Without careful attention and care, these feelings may be affecting your daily life.

Asking for support is a great first step in caring for yourself. We offer both individual care and a support group for women who have faced an abortion and feel the need to talk about it.