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 weeks 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 available to choose from in Canada: the abortion pill or an in-clinic abortion. Both options are safe and legal in Canada. Both are covered by almost every provincial health care plan*.
This site aims to provide information and tools to know your abortion options and advocate for the care that’s right for you. Your abortion should be safe, respectful, and on your terms.
For some, abortion is an emotional experience; for others, it is not. Abortion is normal — and so are the multitudes of experiences that come out of it.
Abortion is one of the most common healthcare needs in Canada. One in four Canadians who can get pregnant will have an abortion in their lifetime, either by using the abortion pill or getting an in-clinic abortion. You deserve to know what your options are and get abortion care on your terms.
The abortion pill is available for people who are no more than nine weeks pregnant.
The abortion pill is 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 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 are done using medication. Taking prescription medication for an abortion is a safe, legal option prescribed by a healthcare provider. The patient 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.
This might be a good option if you:
An in-clinic abortion is available for people up to 24 weeks pregnant.
An in-clinic abortion is a surgical procedure done by a healthcare provider in a clinic or hospital. In-clinic abortions have been safely and legally available in Canada for over thirty years and they are very common. The clinic or hospital visit might take a few hours, but the procedure itself is fairly quick. Local anesthesia or IV pain relief is offered, and most people don’t report any pain. Many are able to resume regular activities within a day or two. An in-clinic abortion is commonly known as a surgical abortion — and it is another safe, legal option for people seeking abortion care in Canada. Here is a list of abortion clinics across the country from 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.
There are some differences about abortion services in Quebec. For more information and a detailed resource about abortion in Quebec, go here.
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 make sure you get the care you deserve. Test your knowledge with these four 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 government website allows you to search all the abortion providers in the province of Quebec. Both the Access Line and National Abortion Federation Hotline also offer abortion referrals.
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.
Share this website privately by email.
Or share this video on Facebook to help more people learn about abortion options in Canada.