Whether you are thinking about having an abortion, or you are concerned about someone close to you who may be having one or you are curious about abortion methods, you may have questions.
Here are some the most common abortion questions that you may have. If you are thinking about having the procedure, we hope they help you decide what is best for you.
What is an abortion procedure?
Abortion is legal and safe medical procedure that ends pregnancy.
What are the kinds of abortion?
The most common method is known as vacuum aspiration. Aspiration is usually used up to 16 weeks after a woman’s menstrual cycle. D & E (Dilation and Evacuation) is another kind of abortion and is performed later than 16 weeks of women’s menstrual cycle. Lastly, Medical Abortion* is used in early pregnancies up to 8 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual cycle; this type of abortion only requires the use of medication. * Medical Abortion not yet available at BWC
How effective are abortion procedures?
You can feel confident in knowing that surgical abortions have a very high success rate.
What happens during an abortion procedure?
It is common for women to be anxious and nervous about having an abortion or any other surgical procedure. But most of us feel better if we know what to expect.
Our professional staff will talk with you and answer your questions. Please do not be shy to ask us any questions or concerns you have
What do you feel during an abortion procedure?
You may have concerns about how an abortion procedure will feel. Most women feel pain similar to menstrual cramps, for others it is more uncomfortable. Some women chose not to have any medications and they do well. We will offer a combination of medications (painkiller/sedation) to help you feel as comfortable as possible. Local anesthetic are usually used to numb the cervix. You may have cramps after an abortion; Advil or Tylenol will be offered to help with the cramps. We recommend that you relax for the rest of the day.
How long will the bleeding last?
You may have some bleeding immediately after your abortion. This is normal. You may pass a few clots about size of a quarter.
Every woman is different and she may experience different amount of bleeding such as:Bleeding and spotting that may last up to
- 2-3 weeks.Heavy bleeding for a few days.
- Bleeding that stops and starts again.
- It is also normal to have no bleeding after an abortion.
How safe is abortion procedure?
for women. An ‘In-Clinic’ abortion procedure is very safe. The surgical procedure is performed by specially trained doctors assisted by experienced registered nurses. Like with any surgical procedure there are some risks associated with abortion. The risks increase the longer you are pregnant.
Possible risks include:
- Blood clot in the uterus 1:1000
- Incomplete abortion (part of the pregnancy left inside the uterus) 0.5-1%
- Failure to end the pregnancy
- Infection 2-4%
- Injury to the cervix
- Injury to the uterus 1:1000
- Undetected ectopic pregnancy
- Very heavy bleeding 1:1000
Most often these complications are simple and easy to treat with medications or other treatments. Following our post procedure and follow up instructions will reduce the risk of long term complications. Call the clinic if you have any concerns.Our doctors and registered nurses have many years of experience in providing services to women undergoing the abortion procedure in Ontario.
What can I expect after an abortion?
You will rest in a recovery area where you will be monitored by a registered nurse for vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, bleeding, cramping, nausea, and mobility. You will be offered refreshments and you will receive written after care instructions along with a prescription for antibiotics.
We will also provide you with our after hours telephone number for you to call if you have any concerns.We recommend a follow up visit in 2-6 weeks after the procedure. You may come back to our clinic or go to your family physician.
Do not drive for 12 hours after the procedure.You can usually returned to work or other normal activities the next day. Do not swim, take a bath in a tub, douche or insert medicine in your vagina for one week.
When to expect your period after an abortion?
Abortion begins a new menstrual cycle. You should have your regular period in 4-6 weeks after the abortion.
When can I become sexually active after an abortion?
We recommend that you not have vaginal intercourse or insert anything into your vagina for 10 days to 2 weeks after the abortion. You can get pregnant very soon after an abortion. So, birth control is very important and a common concern for many women after an abortion procedure. We can help you with this or you can talk to your healthcare provider.
How much does it cost?
If you have an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) – your procedure is covered, however there are some uninsured services please ask the clinic staff when booking the appointment.
If you do not have an insurance plan or OHIP coverage; the abortion procedure can cost between $450 to $900, depending on how long you have been pregnant for.
Other Resources
Canadians for Choice | website
Abortion in Canada | Wikipedia | website
Planned Parenthood website
Still Have Questions about the Abortion Procedure?
Send us an email and we will respond to your questions and concerns
Brampton Women’s Clinic provides abortion clinic services in Ontario. We conveniently located in the Greater Toronto Area, close the Mississauga, London, Guelph, Hamilton, Barrie and other Southern Ontario cities.