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Abortion Care

Freuently Asked Questions for Medical Abortions

(Mifegymiso)

Yes. This service is offered on-site Student Health & Wellness Centre. Book an appointment with a nurse at Student Health & Wellness Centre as soon as you think you may be pregnant. Same-day appointments with a physician are available Monday through Saturday to begin the process.

Bloodwork will be required to confirm pregnancy.

Your pregnancy must be 9 weeks (63 days) or less, counting from the first day of your last menstrual period.

The nurse will book you in with the doctor at Student Health & Wellness who provides these consultations, and they will walk you through what to expect and discuss any health concerns you may have.

You take 2 medications. The pregnancy will end, and the uterus will push out the tissue (like a miscarriage).

  • The first pill stops the pregnancy.
  • The second pills are taken 24 to 48 hours (1 to 2 days) later, at a time when you can rest for at least 3 to 4 hours.

Mifegymiso is covered 100% by provincial health insurance plans (MSI, OHIP, etc.) and is covered 100% by the International Student Health Plan when using Direct2U Pharmacy.

  • High success rate (95 to 98%).
  • The pregnancy tissue is pushed out within 24 hours of taking the second pills in 90% of women.
  • It is more private since it is done at home.
  • You can choose to have someone with you for support.
  • Can be used very early in pregnancy.
  • Like a natural miscarriage or a heavy menstrual period.

  • Cramping may be very painful.
  • ±«Óãtv 2 to 5% of people will also need a procedural abortion after medical abortion.
  • Bleeding after a medical abortion may last longer than after procedural abortion.
  • You may see large blood clots and pregnancy tissue.
  • You may not know if the abortion worked until your blood test, 1 to 2 weeks later.
  • Risk of continued pregnancy is less than 1 in 200 people.

Book an appointment with a nurse as soon as possible and bring your partner with you to the appointment.

Student Health & Wellness Centre maintains the confidentiality and privacy of patient medical records.

Your records are only for you unless you have submitted aÌýShared Record Consent Change FormÌýto advise that one else may have access to your records.


Frequently Asked Questions for Procedural Abortion

(uterine aspiration procedure or D&C)

The initial bloodwork and nurse/physician consults are offered on-site at the Student Health & Wellness Centre.ÌýBook an appointmentÌýwith a nurse at Student Health & Wellness Centre as soon as you think you may be pregnant. For the procedure you will be referred to an off-site clinic, our nurses can help you do this.

Same-day appointments with a physician are available Monday through Saturday to begin the process.

Bloodwork will be required to confirm pregnancy.

Your pregnancy must be 15 weeks and 6 days or less, counting from the first day of your last menstrual period.

A self-referral appointment with the Reproductive Services and Options Clinic (ROSE) can be made while in the clinic, or later.

How it works:

  • A doctor will gently open your cervix (the opening to your uterus) with dilators (like those used during a PAP exam) that slowly open.
  • A cannula (straw-like tube) is inserted through the cervix into the uterus. Gentle suction (like a vacuum) is used to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.
  • The procedure usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Procedural abortion is covered 100% by provincial health insurance plans (MSI, OHIP, etc.) Procedural abortion (one per policy year) is covered 100% by International Student Health Plan.

  • High success rate (over 99%).
  • Procedure is finished within minutes.
  • Sedation (medication to help you relax) can be used if you wish.

  • Medical instruments enter your uterus.
  • May feel less private because it is done in a Clinic.
  • You cannot have someone with you for support, since only patients are allowed in the Clinic.
  • You must have someone drive you home from the Clinic.

Book an appointment with a nurse as soon as possible and bring your partner with you to the appointment.

Student Health & Wellness Centre maintains the confidentiality and privacy of patient medical records.

Your records are only for you unless you have submitted aÌýShared Record Consent Change FormÌýto advise that one else may have access to your records.

Nova Scotia Health Authority follows the .


Other resources we recommed

In this guide we give you facts and tips to ask a healthcare professional for medication abortion.

This pamphlet explains the differences between medical and procedural abortions. How each type of abortion works, and the advantages and disadvantages of each type are listed. Who to contact for further information is included.

Nova Scotia Health is committed to providing safe abortion care and other reproductive care services.

The ROSE ClinicÌýis aÌýprocedural abortionÌýand aÌýmedical abortionÌýclinic based at the Victoria General site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.