Medical Abortions
Medical abortion is a non-invasive way to terminate an early pregnancy available at our clinic for women who are less than 63 days pregnant (9 weeks). Because medication, rather than surgery, is used, your recovery is generally faster, you can drive to and from the clinic, and you are not required to fast.
For pregnancy terminations beyond 9 weeks, please call Mississauga Women’s Clinic at 905-629-4516, and request an appointment for a surgical abortion.
A medical abortion requires two (2) appointments:
The first appointment includes a consultation and a review of your medical history, a physical examination, an ultrasound, and a blood test. If you are deemed eligible for a medical abortion, you will be given the first of two (2) of medications in the clinic, and then instructed on how to take the second medication.
A second appointment is extremely important. This follow-up appointment takes place 2 to 3 weeks later, and it is where the doctor confirms that the termination of pregnancy is complete. There are rare instances where a medical abortion fails, and if this happens, your doctor will discuss treatment options available, which may include a surgical abortion.
As stated above, there are two (2) medications that work together to end a pregnancy, they are: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. They are considered the “gold standard” for medical abortion according to the World Health Organization.
Mifepristone 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. This is the medication that you take during your initial visit, after the medical consultation and exam.
The second medication, Misoprostol, 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. This is the medication that you will take between 24 to 48 hours after the initial clinic visit, and it comes as 4 tablets that you take together.
In Canada, the Mifepristone and Misoprostol drug regimen is sold under the name Mifegymiso: it comes with one mifepristone tablet, packaged in green, and four misoprostol tablets, packaged in orange.
This combination of drugs is what is commonly referred to as “the Abortion Pill.“
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 a surgical abortion at our Mississauga Women’s Clinic, and our doctors will be happy to walk you through your options.
Ancillary Services
Counselling for Patients having an Abortion
Before all medical abortion procedures, patients meet with a counsellor to help improve their understanding about the procedure, to ensure that it is something that they want, and if desired, to discuss any post-abortive contraception options.
STI Testing/Management for Patients having an Abortion
Our clinic tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) routinely for patients having an abortion, particularly for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. For more exhaustive testing we encourage you to visit your local sexual health clinic, walk-in clinic, or your family doctor.
Contraception Services for Patients having an Abortion
Patients having an abortion may opt for birth control to be initiated after their procedure. If this is something that you are looking for, we encourage you to check when scheduling your appointment and again during your visit – our doctors will be happy to discuss post-abortion birth control options with you.
Intrauterine Device (IUD) Insertions and Removals
We offer Copper IUD’s in-house, so there is no need to bring your own; however, if you wish for a Hormonal IUD (such as Mirena), we can write you a prescription, which you would fill and have to return for it’s insertion.
Hormonal Implant Insertion and Removals
If you wish for a hormonal implant (such as Nexplanon), we can write you a prescription, which you would fill and have to return for it’s insertion.
Contraceptive Injections
If you wish for an injectable birth control (such as the Depo-Provera injection), we can write you a prescription, but you will need to fill it and return for it’s injection, as it must be done by a health care provider.
Birth Control Pill
If this something that you are considering, post-abortion, our doctors can write you a prescription.
24 Hour Patient Support
Our team will support you during your aftercare. After your abortion procedure, you will be provided with a 24 hour hotline number to call for any concerns you may have. This line is answered by our medical professionals.
In the event of an emergency, please visit your nearest hospital emergency room.