Frequently Asked Questions

Confirm your pregnancy with a pregnancy test and call us to schedule an appointment for a pregnancy assessment as well as to discuss your options

You have several options: parenting with social supports, adoption, and abortion. Each choice comes with different considerations, and speaking with a counsellor, doctor or social worker might help you decide what's best for you.

There are primarily two types of abortion: medical and surgical. Medical abortions involve taking medication to end and expel a pregnancy. This is a safe and effective option up to 10 weeks' gestation. Surgical abortions involve a procedure to physically remove the pregnancy from the uterus. At Cabbagetown Women’s Clinic, we provide surgical abortions up to 24 weeks' gestation

Not at all. If you are less than 12 weeks' gestation, feel free to book an appointment online via our website. Alternatively, you can give our clinic a call to book your appointment. If you are over 12 weeks, give our clinic a call so we can go over some things with you prior to booking your appointment. No referral is needed.

Eligibility for an abortion can depend on factors like the gestational age of the pregnancy and your medical history. Our counsellor and physician can help you answer this question.

Yes, abortion is a highly safe procedure when performed by trained medical professionals in a healthcare setting. The risks of complications are low, but, like any medical procedure, there are potential risks, which our counsellor and physician will discuss with you.

There are over 100 000 abortions performed in Canada each year. Abortion is the most common surgical procedure in Canada, and it is very safe. One in three women will have an abortion in her lifetime.

At Cabbagetown Women's Clinic we have an on-site counsellor to assist you with understanding the abortion options for your specific situation. If you are having difficulty with deciding whether to abort, we will give you resources to access a trained therapist to help you. It is very important to be certain and stable in your decision before having any abortive procedure. Please call us or schedule an appointment.

You never need your partner's permission to have an abortion. This is legally your decision. If you are less than 14 years old, we do require an adult to come with you and co-sign your consent. If you are between 14 and 16 years old you can come talk to our doctor about the consent process, which may require an adult co-signee. Otherwise, as long as you are over 16 years old, no one else needs to know or approve.

At Cabbagetown Women's Clinic, procedures are offered on the same day as the initial assessment. Please allow 3-4 hours for your whole visit, including the procedure.

All services at our clinic are completely covered under OHIP. If you do not have a valid OHIP card, please call our clinic for a review of expected charges, which you can then recover from your insurance plan if available.

Both the medical and surgical abortions can feel crampy, similar to a heavy or painful menstrual period. During the surgical procedure, we do give you strong pain medication as well as anti-anxiety medication. If you decide to have the pill abortion, you can take Advil (Ibuprofen) /Tylenlol (Acetaminophen) or Gravol (Dimenhydrinate) at home to make you more comfortable.

No. Our clinic does all procedures under what's known as "conscious sedation". This means you get medication to help you be calm and not remember, as well as strong medications to control pain. But it is important to understand that we do not put you to sleep. We will be talking to you throughout the 5 to 10 minute procedure, and keeping an eye on your comfort level to optimize it.

Usually we allow and encourage a support person in the waiting room and counselling room. During COVID however, we are mandated by the government to keep only those people needing essential services within the clinic. We are so sorry and are supportive of your helper waiting outside (or in the car) to where you can visit him/her before or after the procedure.

Please do not drive. The medications we give you for the procedure may interfere with safe driving. You can take public transport or get a drive (taxi, Uber, a drive from a love one) or even walk if you are close to us.

By Ontario law, protestors are not allowed close to the clinic. The closest they can come is across the street. During recent years, there are usually no protestors.

This depends on how busy we are. Please allow a minimum of 3-4 hours for the whole visit from beginning to end. It may take less time, but we cannot guarantee this. Please know we are trying as hard as we can to get you through this safely, quickly and with TLC (tender loving care /:).

Bring your valid OHIP card, any labwork or ultrasounds that may have been done during this pregnancy (not necessary but bring them if available) and a pad. Otherwise we have all you need.

The experience can vary depending on the type of abortion. For a medical abortion, you'll take medication and experience symptoms similar to a miscarriage. For a surgical abortion, the procedure is typically short, and you may receive sedation. A surgical abortive procedure process depends on how advanced your pregnancy is.

After an abortion, you will experience period-like bleeding and cramping for a few days. Our clinic will provide detailed aftercare instructions. Most people are able to resume normal activities right away, though you may be advised to avoid strenuous activity for a short period.

It's normal to have a range of emotions after an abortion. If you need support, our counsellor can refer you to a therapist for support.

An uncomplicated abortion has not been shown to change a woman's fertility. If there are severe complications (which are highly unlikely) there may be effects on fertility. These complications will be reviewed with you in detail, to make sure you understand them. However, keep in mind that the risk of all possible complications added together is extremely small (for example, the risk of perforating the uterus, which is the most common complication, is approximately 0.05%).

The only process for releasing ANY information to anyone else outside of our clinic is if you sign a consent to do so. This includes your doctor, who will only be given information if we have your signed consent.

Your fertility (your ability to get pregnant) can return as early as 1 week after an abortion. This is why we will be reviewing all available methods of birth control with you to help prevent pregnancy as soon as possible. Birth control is always up to you. No pressure. But it is highly recommended.

This is a set of pills available at any pharmacy (just ask the pharmacist if you don't have a prescription) that you can take as soon as you know you may have had exposure to sperm. (For example, as soon as you notice the condom has broken). If you take it within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex, it is very effective to prevent a pregnancy.

Only if you sign a written consent to release this information. Otherwise it is only on records in the clinic.

Usually not. We recommend you do not do any heavy lifting/running/vigorous exercise for a couple of weeks after the surgery, as it may increase your bleeding. If you need a note to this effect, we can provide this at the end of your service.

Surgical abortion is a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy through a suction procedure or using instruments to remove the pregnancy. It is typically performed using vacuum aspiration (called a dilatation & curettage, D&C) or dilation and evacuation (D&E), depending on the stage of pregnancy.

We will review you and your pregnancy to make sure it will be a safe and effective procedure. Depending on your specific context, there may be recommendations for one or other procedure. Otherwise, we can help you figure out what is most convenient and acceptable for you.

Our clinic does all procedures under what's known as "conscious sedation". This means you get medication to help you be calm and not remember, as well as strong medications to control pain. But it is important to understand that we do not put you to sleep. The procedure itself involves dilating the cervix and using a suction device to remove the contents of the uterus. We will be talking to you throughout the 5 to 10 minute procedure, and keeping an eye on your comfort level to optimize it.

Surgical abortions can feel crampy, similar to a heavy or painful menstrual period. This typically happens during the last few minutes of the procedure. During the procedure, we do give you strong pain medication as well as anti-anxiety medication. The local freezing can also be painful for a few moments with each injection, but tends to be well-worth it, so you feel the most comfortable during the procedure itself.

Surgical abortion is a highly safe procedure when performed by trained medical professionals in a healthcare setting. The risks of complications are low, but, like any medical procedure, there are potential risks, which our counsellor and physician will discuss with you.

Check out the Blog entitled "LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU" to prepare for your appointment.

Recovery varies by individual, but most people can resume normal activities immediately. You will experience bleeding and cramping for a few days up to a few weeks. We recommend you do not do any heavy lifting/ running/ vigorous exercise for a couple of weeks after the surgery, as it may increase your bleeding and pain. If you need a note to this effect, we can provide this at the end of your service. It is very important, however, to keep active by walking and standing as much as possible and avoiding long periods of rest (other than when you go to sleep at night).

An uncomplicated abortion has not been shown to change a woman's fertility. If there are severe complications (which are highly unlikely) there may be effects on fertility. These complications will be reviewed with you in detail, to make sure you understand them before you have the abortion. However, keep in mind that the risk of all possible complications added together is extremely small and much lower than giving birth. For example, the risk of perforating the uterus is less than 0.05%, and most perforations do not threaten fertility.

A medical abortion is a non-surgical procedure which stops and expels a pregnancy using prescribed medication. It typically involves taking two different drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, 24-48 hours apart.

Medical abortion is about 98-99% effective when carried out in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The effectiveness decreases slightly as pregnancy progresses.

Medical abortion is a safe and effective option up to 10 weeks' gestation.

After taking the first medication, mifepristone, there are usually no immediate effects. A few people can get nauseous or start having some painless bleeding. After taking the second medication, misoprostol, you will experience cramping and bleeding, which is necessary to expel the pregnancy. This process is like having a miscarriage and can last a few hours or more.

Common side effects include heavy bleeding, cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. Our counsellor will explain what to expect after a medical abortion.

You may experience significant cramping, similar to or greater than menstrual cramps, during the process. You are essentially experiencing a miscarriage. Pain management options, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, are often recommended.

While medical abortion is generally safe, risks include incomplete abortion, which may require a surgical procedure to complete, infection, and excessive bleeding.

Check out the Blog entitled "LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU" to prepare for your appointment.

We will give you handouts on the normal course after an abortion. If all goes normally, you do not need a follow up with us. Our handouts also include signs and symptoms which are not necessarily normal and do require trained assessment. They clarify when this is needed urgently (i.e. in an emergency room if we are not open) and when you should book a follow-up with us, to ensure the procedure has worked and to check on your health. Check out our Blog article entitled "is my bleeding normal".

Yes, an uncomplicated medical abortion has no impact on future fertility. Most women can conceive again in the future if they choose to. This can happen as early as 5 days after your abortion!

You can find more answers on our FAQ page. We also have an on-site counsellor to assist you with finding the right path for you. Please call us or schedule an appointment with us. We wish you all the best and look forward to meeting you in person.

There are several types of contraception including short-lasting hormonal methods (pills, patches, injections, rings) needing repeated administration, barrier methods to be used during intercourse (condoms, diaphragms) and long-term, in-dwelling devices (IUDs and implants).

The best method depends on your health, lifestyle, sexual activity, and family planning goals. Discussing your options with a healthcare provider can help you make an informed decision.

Yes, some people may experience side effects such as mood changes, nausea, weight gain and changes in menstrual flow. However, most people use hormonal contraceptives without significant issues. Check out the Blog entitled “I want birth control but I don’t want…” for more information about the side effects

When taken correctly, the pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, typical use, which includes forgetting pills occasionally, reduces effectiveness to about 91%.

Yes, you can. IUDs are suitable for people who have not had children as well as those who have.

The action depends on how many pills you have missed and where you are in your pill pack. Generally, you should take the missed pill as soon as you remember. You may need to use a backup method of contraception for a short period. Please consult a healthcare professional to help your individual case.

No birth control method is 100% effective but methods like IUDs, implants , vasectomy and tubal ligation are highly effective (above 99%). However, even these can fail on rare occasions. Removing your uterus and/or ovaries render you completely and permanently infertile.

Most contraceptive methods do not affect long-term fertility. Normal fertility levels resume after stopping most types of contraception. How long this takes depends on you and your birth control method (ask a healthcare professional for more details if needed).

Yes, options include condoms/diaphragms (which are prone to fail) , copper IUDs, and surgical tubal ligation or vasectomy. These do not involve hormones and are suitable for those who prefer or require non-hormonal options.

The Morning After Pill / Emergency Contraceptive / Plan B® are a set of pills available at any pharmacy (just ask the pharmacist if you don't have a prescription) that you can take as soon as you know you may have had exposure to sperm. (For example, as soon as you notice the condom has broken). If you take it within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex, it is very effective to prevent a pregnancy. It is not always effective, so keep track of your periods and do a pregnancy test ASAP if your period is late, different from your usual period or if you start experiencing any pregnancy symptoms (ex. Nausea, vomiting, breast growth, weight gain etc..).