FAQ

Yes. Medical abortions are very safe, and are one of the safest medical procedures available — it has a lower complication rate than other common medical procedures, such as wisdom teeth extractions or tonsillectomies. 

While still very low, medical abortions do have a slightly higher rate of complications compared to surgical abortions; most of that can be attributed to the need for a surgical abortion after a failed medical abortion, and/or a mild infection that can be treated with oral antibiotics.

Our doctors will discuss this in detail with you during your appointment.

No. In Ontario, anyone over 12 years of age can legally have an abortion, and does not require parental/guardian consent. You also do not need a doctor’s referral to book an abortion appointment.

No. A doctor’s referral is not necessary to make an appointment for any of our services. Appointments can be made by patients themselves or by the referring doctor’s office.

We are ready, whenever you are — there is no waiting period required for a medical abortion. 

We appreciate how time-sensitive this issue can be, so get in touch as soon as you are able and appointments are readily available within 24 – 48h. We do not always require advance notice for bookings; in fact, depending on our availability, we can sometimes accommodate same-day appointments. We will endeavor to accommodate your needs.

Our only stipulation is that we usually require patients to be at least 5 weeks pregnant, so that we can visualize the pregnancy on ultrasound.

Your visit to our clinic is completely private and confidential; we respect your right to discreet abortion care services. We are bound by the Ontario Privacy Act and all regulations governing patient confidentiality.

It is completely your decision who you tell about your situation, including your partner and/or parents. If you are worried about your family physician seeing the results, or medications, related to an abortion, notify our admin staff and they will have forms for you to fill out that will restrict access to these records that are otherwise available to physicians.

We will not disclose any information about your visit to anyone without your written consent.

Current research shows that having a medical abortion will not interfere or affect your ability to have children in the future. Abortions performed in a safe and competent manner, with no complications, have no affect or bearing on your future fertility.

There is no research, or statistical data, to support the belief that having more than one abortion will damage or affect fertility. In fact, 1st trimester abortions are very low risk procedures and have one of the lowest surgical complication rates of all surgeries performed in Canada.

Statistics Canada reports that in 1995, less than 1% of abortions in Canada resulted in any complication at all. The earlier the abortion, the lower the chance of any complication.

Your suitability for having a medical abortion depends on a variety of factors, such as the gestational age of the pregnancy and your personal medical history (any allergies, comorbidities, medications, etc.). 

In Canada, you may not be qualified to take the abortion pill if any of the following apply to you. 

• You have an ectopic pregnancy; this is one of the reasons we ultrasound prior to prescriptions.
• You suffer from a chronic adrenal disease
• You have uncontrolled asthma
• You have a bleeding disorder or take a blood thinner
• You are anemic
• You take corticosteroids on a regular basis
• Have a hypersensitivity or allergy to Mifepristone or Misoprostol

If any of these apply, don’t worry because there are options available for every pregnancy, such as surgical abortions available at our Mississauga Clinic, and our doctors will be happy to walk you through those options.

After your abortion, you will rest in the recovery room for around 30min to an hour, depending on your particular reaction to the procedure. After which patients who’ve had a medical abortion can drive home almost immediately. 

Plan to take it easy for the rest of the day, expect to have some bleeding and/or cramping for a few days, and if you are feeling up to it, you can get back to work/school/normal activities the next day. Although we would suggest avoiding any strenuous activity for a period of time, or anything that causes increased pain.

Our doctors will discuss what to expect and how to take care of yourself after your abortion. You will also get a phone number that you can call after clinic hours to reach our After Hours Nurse with any questions or concerns.

The Hamilton Women’s Clinic is licensed and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, and therefore your valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card fully covers you for this service. Other plans that cover this service include:

• University Health Insurance Plans (UHIP, GuardMe, MorCare)
• CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Plan)
• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
• Canadian Military Insurance (DND)

For those who have 3rd-party insurance from one of our preferred partners, we will bill them on your behalf so there is no need to pay up front. Our Preferred Partners: 

• GuardMe
• MorCare
• Securian
• Cowan
• IFHP Blue Cross

Please bring any supplementary insurance cards you may have, such as Ontario Works, O.D.S.P., Native Status, or any private insurance plan.

If you live in a province other than Ontario, your provincial health care insurance should cover you for services in your area. Currently the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick do not honour the Canada Health Act (CHA) and do not cover services performed in facilities other than hospital under their provincial health care plans.

For out-of-province patients — women who live in one province but are seeking abortion services in another province, for whatever reason — there may be fees associated with this service, due to provincial billing guidelines.

If you do not have any health insurance, or are unsure of your coverage, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your options and what resources may be available to you.

• We are owned and operated by the renowned Mississauga Women’s Clinic.
• We have been serving women since 2002 and have an uncontested reputation.
• Our Medical Director holds over 25 years of experience.
• Our Director of Nursing holds over 24 years of experience.
• Our staff is experienced, professional, caring, and non-judgmental.
• We continuously receive positive patient feedback.
• Most of our patients are referred to us by friends and family doctors.
• If you prefer, or require, a surgical procedure we can serve you at our Mississauga office.

A medical abortion is a form of pregnancy termination that is non-invasive and induced by medications rather than surgery. Think of it as an induced miscarriage. It is available to women who are less than 9 weeks pregnant.

The first pill induces a miscarriage and the second course of medication helps expel the products of conception. A more detailed explanation on how the Abortion Pill works can be found in this Patient Information Booklet. For an outline of what to expect during your medical abortion appointment, click here.

Click here for a summary of what to expect with regards to how a medical abortion tends to feel.

Your nurse or doctor will let you know if there’s anything you need to do in preparation for ending your pregnancy. The first medication is taken during your appointment, and your doctor will give you written instructions on how to take the second set of medications. You’ll have access to a caring professional throughout the process. In addition, you will also be given that number for our After Hours nurse, 24/7, who you can contact if you have any questions or concerns.

There will be a lot of bleeding and cramping after taking the second medicine at home. So plan ahead in order to make the process more comfortable. Choose a time when you’ll have some privacy and can rest for a while, and have someone you trust with you (or nearby) that you can call for support should you need anything.

Stock up on maxi pads, food, books or movies to help pass the time, and have a heating pad nearby for cramps. Make sure you have some pain medication — but do not take aspirin, because it can make you bleed more.

Both procedures are highly effective and safe.

Medical terminations allow women to avoid surgery, but typically involve more pain and bleeding. While surgical procedures are completed in less time, medical terminations can take a number of days to complete.

In contrast to surgical procedures, a medical termination of pregnancy also permits a partner or support person to be present during the latter part of the process when patients take their follow up medication.

Gestational age limits for medical procedures are 9 weeks (63 days), while those for surgical procedures are 17 weeks (119 days).

See the table below for a quick comparison between medical and surgical abortions.

The process has several steps that start when you take the first pill.

Step One: You will take the first pill, Mifepristone, during your appointment with the doctor. This medication blocks the action of the natural hormone progesterone on the uterus. This causes the lining of the uterus to shed, as it does during any normal period, stopping the growth of the pregnancy. Some people feel nauseous, or start bleeding, after taking mifepristone, but it is not common at this stage.

Your doctor, or nurse, may also give you a prescription for an antibiotic that you will need to take if the results of your tests for chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea are positive.

Step Two: Your doctor or nurse will also give you a medicine called Misoprostol. You’ll take the it 24–48 hours after the first pill, at home; your doctor or nurse will let you know how and when to do it. This medicine causes the uterus to contract, this initiates bleeding and cramping — which may be heavier and more painful than a typical period — to help push out the contents of the uterus.

For most people, the cramping and bleeding usually start 1–4 hours after taking the misoprostol. It’s normal to see large blood clots (up to the size of a lemon) or clumps of tissue. It’s much like having a very heavy or crampy period, and the process is very similar to an early miscarriage.

The cramping and bleeding can last for several hours. Most people finish passing the pregnancy tissue in 4–5 hours, but it may take longer. The cramping and bleeding slow down after the pregnancy tissue comes out. You may have cramping on and off for about 1 or 2 more days.

To help with the cramps, you can take pain medicine like ibuprofen about 30 minutes before you take the misoprostol. You can also take anti-nausea medicine. Do not take aspirin, because it can make you bleed more.

It’s normal to have some bleeding and spotting for several weeks after your procedure. You can use pads, tampons, or a menstrual cup — whatever’s most comfortable for you. But your nurse or doctor may recommend you use pads for a few days afterwards so you can track how much you’re bleeding.

The last step is a follow-up visit in 14 to 21 days after the first clinic visit. This is particularly important, because it allows us to confirm that the procedure was successful. We do this by performing an ultrasound.

In the unlikely case that the procedure does not empty your uterus, you will have the option of another dose of medication (misoprostol), watchful waiting (with follow-up visit in another 2 weeks), or having a surgical procedure to complete the process.

If you’re still pregnant, your doctor or nurse will discuss a surgical procedure to end the pregnancy, which can be done at our Mississauga Clinic.

For most people, medical termination feels somewhat like having an early miscarriage. You might have:

• lots of cramping and aches in your belly
• very heavy bleeding with large clots
• upset stomach and vomiting (your doctor or nurse may give you medicine to help with nausea)
• diarrhoea
• dizziness
• tiredness
• mild fever (99-100° F) or chills on the day you take misoprostol. If you have a fever after the day you take the misoprostol pills, call your doctor or health centre right away.

To help ease pain and make you more comfortable, you can:

• take pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Do not take aspirin because it can make your bleeding worse
• put a heating pad, or hot water bottle, on your belly
• take a shower
• sit on the toilet
• have someone rub your back

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infections in Canada, and most women don’t know they have either, since they usually don’t cause any symptoms. 

If you have bacteriuria — the presence of bacteria in the urine — it is possible that the bacteria can spread into your vagina or cervix during a medical termination of pregnancy, then travel up higher into your pelvis; this can cause serious immediate health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (a severe infection), and future health problems, such as infertility and ectopic pregnancy.