Services > Medical Abortions

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.