The Family Planning Clinic offers information on and access to a range of services associated with unplanned pregnancy and contraception.
Available services include:
- Assistance with pregnancy decision-making
- Abortion care
- Surgical abortions for a pregnancy of less than 14 weeks, and up to 18 weeks depending on physician availability
- Medical abortion for a pregnancy of less than 10 weeks
- Access to emergency contraception
- Contraception counseling
- Intra-uterine device insertion, change and removal
- Contraception implant (Nexplanon) insertion, change and removal
Patients can access the clinic with or without a referral from a physician.
Toll-free number: 1-844-806-9205
Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Due to often high volume of calls, please leave a detailed message on our voicemail. We return calls during regular business hours.
FAQs
| Procedure | Early Medical Abortion | Uterine Aspiration (Surgical Abortion) |
| How does it work? | Combination of medication that cause the uterus to push out the pregnancy tissue | Doctor uses suction to empty your uterus |
| When can it be done? | Pregnancy less than 10 weeks | Pregnancy less than 14 weeks (and up to 18 weeks depending on physician availability) |
| How effective is it? | 95% success rate | 99% success rate |
| How much does it cost? | Free for health care card holders from across Canada | Free for health care card holders from across Canada |
| How long does it take for the abortion to be complete? | Usually completed within 48 hours | Procedure itself usually takes less than 15 minutes |
| What are the advantages of this method? | High success rate (95%) Ability to pass the pregnancy at home may offer women more privacy Can be used very early in pregnancy Resembles a ‘natural miscarriage’ or a heavy menstrual period Avoids uterine aspiration, unless it fails (5%) It is possible to have Nexplanon implant inserted at the same appointment | High success rate (99%) Usually less bleeding and pain for less time Performed by a physician with support of nurses and counsellor A very simple and safe procedure that involves uterine aspiration Procedure is completed in less than 15 minutes It is possible to have an intra-uterine devices (IUD) or Nexplanon implant inserted right away, at the end of the procedure |
| What are the disadvantages of this method? | Cramping can be very painful for some women Bleeding may last longer than after uterine aspiration Women often see blood clots and may see pregnancy tissue About 5% of women will need a uterine aspiration after medical abortion Follow-up bloodwork is required seven days later to assess successful treatment (can be done in your home community) | Involves a procedure in which medical instruments enter the uterus May seem less private to some women Partner or support person are not permitted in the procedure room (COVID-19 Update: Click here for guidelines or restrictions that may be in place.) A driver is required |
| Will abortion affect future pregnancies? | No | No |
