Abortion.
Clarity, and knowledge are crucial first steps to making a well informed choice that you can feel confident in.
Abortion is often the first, and sometimes the only option presented to people experiencing an unanticipated pregnancy. Sometimes people feel like they will disappoint others or be left alone to care for a child if they do not choose abortion. Many will say it is a simple and easy way to eliminate/fix your current situation so you can continue on with your life.
Abortion is a medical procedure, otherwise known as pregnancy termination. As with any medical procedure, there are potential physical and/or emotional risks that you need to consider before making a final decision. If you feel pressured or have no support, we are able to provide accurate information regarding this difficult decision.
To better understand abortion, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our team. We can help you navigate through concerns like finances, lack of support, education or career goals, and feelings.
It is important to fully understand a medical procedure before you consent to having it performed. Below we outline the different types of procedures available to you, depending on the stage of your pregnancy.
The physician and facility performing the abortion may have specific protocols that differ or may decide that terminating the embryo or fetus in your pregnancy requires a specific procedure.
Medical Abortion
Up to 10 Weeks
The medical abortion procedure is more commonly known as the “abortion pill”, or a medication abortion. There are two parts to the medical abortion.
During the first visit, an ultrasound is done to determine the gestational age. A medical abortion is generally only performed until 10 weeks of pregnancy. After this is confirmed, a pill called Mifepristone is taken orally to block the hormone progesterone, which will stop the growth of the embryo or fetus by cutting off the supply of blood and nutrients.
The second abortion pill, Misoprostol, along with other medication and information will be sent home with the patient. One to two days later, the Misoprostol pills are inserted into the vagina which will cause uterine contractions (cramping) meant to expel the dead or dying embryo or fetus as well as the accompanying pregnancy tissue. This can occur and continue from several hours to days after insertion of the Misoprostol.
The amount of cramping and bleeding varies from person to person. Typically, you will return to the clinic about two weeks later for a second visit to determine if the abortion is complete and no embryonic or fetal body parts remain in your body.
If you or someone you know took the abortion pill and regrets it, there may still be time. The Abortion Pill Reversal provides free and confidential care 24/7 - call 877.558.0333.
Dilation & Evacuation - Up to 20 Weeks
This surgical abortion procedure is usually performed between weeks 16 -24 of pregnancy. It is done while you are awake, with local anesthetic administered to the cervix to reduce pain.
The fetus is large enough that the cervix must begin opening 24-28 hours in advance by inserting osmotic dilators (laminaria) and/or Misoprostol. Metal dilators are used too if needed.
The suction device is used to remove the amniotic fluid, however, at this stage the fetus is too large with bones too strong to be vacuumed out.
The abortionist uses a grasping clamp to pull out pieces of the fetus from the uterus till a complete body can be assembled. The uterus is then cleaned out with a curette to remove anything that remains from the pregnancy.
Risks
There are potential physical and emotional risks associated with an abortion. Information Abortion procedure complications in Canada are not well-studied, and much of the reporting is either only given voluntarily or missing because abortions are performed in different facilities e.g. clinics and hospitals. We do know that, as with any medical and surgical procedure, there are risks. You may experience any of these complications from an abortion procedure:
Infection
Uterine or cervical damage/lacerations
Scarring within the uterus, which can lead to painful periods or infertility
Hemorrhaging
Uterine Perforation (a surgical tool may puncture the uterine wall)
Placenta previa
Pelvic inflammatory disease (can lead to infertility)
Retained products of conception (fetal parts,
placenta, umbilical cord, or amniotic sac)
Future premature births or miscarriages
Some women and men may experience strong negative disturbances soon after the abortion or several months/years later. It varies from person to person. Emotional risks include:
Sadness
Grief, which may include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, low self-esteem, and re-living the abortion through dreams or flashbacks.
Guilt
Depression
Emotional numbness
Flashbacks and nightmares
Alcohol and drug abuse
Suicidal thoughts or self harm
For more info on risks associated with abortion, please read our FAQs.
References
Barrett, J. M., Boehm, F. H., & Killam, A. P. (1981). Induced abortion: A risk factor for placenta previa. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 141(7), 769–772. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(81)90702-x
Celopharma Inc. (2019). Mifegymiso [Drug information]. Health Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00050659.PDF
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Medical abortion. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21899-medical-abortion
Goodwin, P., & Ogden, J. (2007). Women’s reflections upon their past abortions: An exploration of how and why emotional reactions change over time. Psychology & Health, 22(2), 231–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/14768320600682384
Karami, M., & Jenabi, E. (2017). Placenta previa after prior abortion: A meta-analysis. Biomedical Research and Therapy, 4(7), 1441–1450. https://doi.org/10.15419/bmrat.v4i07.197
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/expert-answers/abortion/faq-20058551
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Fetal development: Stages of growth. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20046151
Mota, N. P., Burnett, M., & Sareen, J. (2010). Associations between abortion, mental disorders, and suicidal behaviour in a nationally representative sample. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(4), 239–247.
Sajadi-Ernazarova, K. R., & Martinez, C. L. (2021). Abortion complications. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430793/
Stevenson, M. M., & Radcliffe, K. W. (1995). Preventing pelvic infection after abortion. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 6(5), 305–312. https://doi.org/10.1177/095646249500600501
Women’s Resource Center. (n.d.). Abortion options. https://wrcdelta.org/options/abortion/
Women’s Resource Center. (n.d.). Navigating pressure from friends and family when considering abortion. https://wrcdelta.org/navigating-pressure-from-friends-and-family-when-considering-abortion/
Women’s Reproductive Clinic. (n.d.). Abortion pill failure. https://mfpiclinic.com/abortion-pill-failure
Surgical Abortion
Vacuum Aspiration / Dilation & Curettage – Up to 16 Weeks
The surgical abortion procedure is usually performed between weeks 6-16 of pregnancy. It is done while you are awake, with local anesthetic administered to the cervix to reduce pain.
A series of metal rods or laminaria sticks (dried kelp that absorbs water and expands) are used to dilate the cervix.
Once the cervix is dilated, the doctor will insert a surgical tube called a cannula into the uterus. This tube connects to a suction machine that is 4 times more powerful than your home vacuum. The suction pulls the fetus’ body apart and out of the uterus.
A curette, which is a metal rod with a loop, is inserted to remove anything that remains from the pregnancy.