Abortion

When considering abortion, we can help you process your questions, your expectations, and your emotions when it comes to the different procedures that are available to you in our region without judgement.

We’ve seen that simply taking the time to process and be informed can help you make a confident pregnancy decision. Although we do not perform or arrange abortions as we are not a medical clinic, our support workers are committed to extending emotional, nonjudgmental support and accurate information as you make a decision. We are also available after your abortion procedure to debrief your experience.

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. Scientific literature on the following information is constantly being reviewed. Consult a medical professional for more detailed information.

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

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.

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 and surgical abortions as well as abortion risks are described in the following tabs.

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. It may help to think through all your options.

Decision making tool

Parenting

Adoption

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Information on fetal development

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Research on abortion:

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).
Hall, J. B. (2025, May 10). The Abortion Pill Harms Women: Insurance Data Reveals One in Ten Patients Experiences a Serious Adverse Event - Ethics & Public Policy Center. Ethics & Public Policy Center. https://eppc.org/publication/insurance-data-reveals-one-in-ten-patients-experiences-a-serious-adverse-event/

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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.