Abortion is one of the most common healthcare needs in Canada. It is normal — and so are the many experiences and feelings that may come from it. It is also quite common. One in three1 Canadian women will have an abortion in their lifetime, either by using the abortion pill or having a surgical abortion in a hospital or clinic.
Your abortion should be safe, respectful, and on your terms and you deserve to know what your options are. This website provides valuable information and tools to help you learn about the choices you have and get the care that’s right for you.
To find out what your abortion options are, enter the first date of your last period.
According to the information you entered, you are xx pregnant.
If your pregnancy is nine weeks or under, you can request the abortion pill (prescription medication) or an in-clinic abortion (surgical procedure).
If you are more than nine weeks pregnant, only the in-clinic option is available.
There are two abortion options to choose from in Canada: the abortion pill or a medication abortion, or a surgical abortion. Both options are safe and legal in Canada. Both are covered by almost every provincial health care plan*.
The abortion pill is available for people who are no more than nine weeks pregnant.
The abortion pill is a prescription medication for abortion. It has been used around the world for almost thirty years and was approved for use in Canada in 2015. In France, where this abortion choice has been available for many years, 84% of people choose the abortion pill when given the option. In other European countries like Sweden and Finland, up to 90% of abortions take place using medication. Taking a Health Canada authorized medication for an abortion prescribed by a healthcare provider is a safe, legal option. The individual can choose where to have their abortion — and the healthcare provider will advise on when and how to take the combination of pills included in the prescription.
The abortion pill might be a good option if you:
This is an abortion performed surgically in a clinic or hospital and can be available for people who are up to 24 weeks pregnant.
Surgical abortions, which are performed by qualified healthcare providers, have been commonly available in Canada for over thirty years and are both safe and legal. The clinic or hospital visit might take a few hours, but the procedure itself does not take very long. Local anesthesia or intra-venous (IV) pain relief is offered, and most people don’t report any pain. Many can resume regular activities within a day or two. Click here to see a list of abortion clinics in Canada, compiled by the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada.
This might be a good option if you:
Ask your healthcare provider for more information about your abortion options.
Recently, some restrictions affecting access to medication abortion have been lifted in Quebec by the Collège des médecins. Until recently, the Collège required an ultrasound for people seeking medication abortion. Healthcare providers were also required to undergo specialized training if they had no prior experience of working in abortion care. As of July 14, additional training is no longer mandatory. Clinicians will continue to have access to knowledge and skills through the Collège if they choose to undergo training to prescribe the abortion pill.
Get information specific to QuebecThe decision to have an abortion is your choice and it should be on your terms.
Knowing your rights and having the facts will help you make an informed decision and allow you to get the care you choose. Test your knowledge with these true or false statements.
False. If your healthcare provider is not supportive of your decision to have an abortion and does not provide information on your abortion options, you can request that they give you a referral to another provider. You can also call Action Canada’s 24/7 access line at 1‑888‑642‑2725 or check choiceconnect.ca to get more information about pro-choice providers near you.
If you have a provider who denies abortion care or an abortion referral, you can report that to their provincial college of physicians and surgeons.
Here is a list of the provincial colleges you can contact to file a complaint, if you choose to do that.
False. The abortion pill is used to end a pregnancy. The morning-after pill is an emergency contraception method used to prevent pregnancy before it starts.
The abortion pill is prescribed by a healthcare provider after a pregnancy has been confirmed. If you’ve had a positive pregnancy test and want an abortion, you might be eligible to get a prescription for the abortion pill.
Emergency contraception, which is commonly known as the morning after pill, can be used up to five days after unprotected sex. It can be purchased over-the-counter at your local drugstore or pharmacy and is most effective the sooner you use it.
True. An ultrasound is not required before taking the abortion pill. Initially, Health Canada did require an ultrasound before a healthcare provider prescribed medication for an abortion, but that barrier was lifted in 2019. Today, you are not required to get an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill. However, it is likely the case that your provider will require some type of confirmation before the abortion pill is prescribed. This may be a blood test, physical examination, hCG “pregnancy hormone” test, ultrasound, or any combination of these.
False. Some healthcare providers might not be familiar with the abortion pill — that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still have the option. There are many resources available for healthcare providers, and you can request they explore those with you, or refer you to a provider who can give more information.
You deserve information about what abortion options are available to you and a provider who supports your choice and your terms. If you don’t feel you’ve gotten that, you can visit choiceconnect.ca or call Action Canada’s free, 24/7 access line at 1‑888‑642‑2725 for help finding another provider.
This is a place to call or text if you want to learn more about your options, talk through your decision with someone, or get a referral to a clinic. You can talk to someone in English or French.
This is a place to call if you need help managing the logistics of your abortion care or if you’re looking for financial assistance to help cover costs, like travel-related expenses. They also provide referrals.
This is a bilingual website to find your nearest abortion provider, and one who best fits your needs. You’ll get their contact information to call and make an appointment.
This is a website with information on abortion care and access for patients, providers, and advocates. It also has a map tool to look up abortion providers in Canada.
This is a website with pro-choice information and resources. It also has a list of clinics and hospitals that provide abortion care as well as pro-choice groups.
In addition to their abortion access line, Action Canada provides sexual health information and advocates for sexual and reproductive health in Canada and globally.
Glad to hear it. This site aims to provide information and tools for people to learn their abortion options and advocate for the care that’s right for them. If you think that’s important, consider sharing it.
It might be helpful to speak to someone who can answer your questions directly. Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights runs a toll-free access line you can reach by phone at 1-888-642-2725 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or by text at 1-289-212-0868 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm EST.
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