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Services
An unintended pregnancy can be emotionally difficult. We can help you decide how to manage a pregnancy. If you are unsure or confused about your decision, you may wish to talk about your feelings and review your options with an unbiased counsellor.
Some women feel certain about their decision to have an abortion. Counselling will provide information about the procedure and how to take care of yourself afterwards. We also offer information about birth control.
The telephone service helps women make informed choices. We operate a FREE telephone service to help women with unintended pregnancies find support, information, and services as close to home as possible. We believe women deserve excellent care whether they decide to continue a pregnancy or not.
If you require more information (e.g., brochures or fact sheets) about pregnancy options, counselling, or abortion services, call:
1-888-875-3163
(604) 875-3163 (Lower Mainland)
We provide safe abortions using local anesthesia, conscious sedation and other comfort measures. A blood test to determine your Blood Type and tests for sexually transmitted diseases will be done prior to your abortion.
The procedure itself takes about 10 minutes and you will probably be in the CARE Program for about three hours altogether. A check-up two weeks following your visit (if needed) can be done at any of the following:
Tubal Ligation
The CARE Program at BC Women’s Hospital is happy to provide tubal ligations (sterilization) at the same time for women having an abortion. The pregnancy must be less than 16 weeks (or 4 months) and the woman should be fit for surgery.
A doctor at the CARE Program will review each request for tubal ligation at the time of abortion and will meet with the woman a day or two before the surgery. Risks and possible alternatives will be discussed at the same time.
Women Who:
- are unsure and would like ‘decision making’ counseling
- have decided to terminate their pregnancy, and at the time of their abortion will be between the seventh and nineteenth week of pregnancy, counting from the first day of their last normal menstrual period
- do not have significant health problems, such as severe heart disease, blood clotting problems, or poorly controlled asthma (if you have any of these issues, our clinic can assist you in finding appropriate services)
The CARE Program also coordinates care for women who require pregnancy termination following a diagnosis of fetal anomaly or because of maternal complications.
We provide:
- genetic counselling and confirmation of diagnosis
- counselling regarding procedure options
- coordination of appropriate physician consultations and procedures
- social work support and spiritual care as requested by families
CARE Special Services also provide services to women whose gestational age is beyond the scope of the 4 abortion clinics in British Columbia and to women who, for medical reasons, need to have the abortion done under a general anesthetic.
What does it cost?
Women who have B.C. Medical Plan coverage: no charge
Women with no B.C. Medical Plan coverage: Payment of $500 (cash) is required
- Women who have no B.C Medical Plan coverage and who require additional treatment/care at another facility will incur additional charges.
- Women who have no B.C Medical Plan coverage may be eligible for financial support (see BC Medical Services Plan website http://www.hibc.gov.bc.ca/ for eligibility requirements).
For further information you may contact Health Insurance BC at:
- Vancouver: (604) 683-7151
- other areas of B.C. (toll-free): 1 800 663-7100
Making an appointment
You must make an appointment before coming to the clinic.
Phone lines are open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday:
- (604) 875-2022 or
- toll free @ 1-888-300-3088, local 2022
Have your B.C. Care Card ready. Our lines are often busy and the receptionist needs to take time with each woman, so please be prepared for a short wait. If you cannot wait, please call back when you can.
All women will be given a 'confirmation' date and time when making an appointment for an abortion. It is important that you confirm your appointment as directed by the receptionist, or it will be automatically cancelled and given to another woman on our wait list.
In order to confirm your appointment, please call the number above and press #1, leave your name, the date, and time of your appointment(s). You will not receive a call back from us notifying you that we received your confirmation.
You do not need a doctor's referral for the CARE Program.
Please bring your B.C. Care Card and picture identification to your appointment, as this is required in order to proceed with your medical treatment.
Interpreters are provided as required for all of our services at no extra charge.
The Day of the Procedure Please note the following:
- Eat breakfast or lunch before your appointment.
- No alcohol or drugs for 24 hours before your appointment
- Have a bath or shower on the morning of your appointment.
- CARE clinic is a "scent-free" area for everyone. No perfumes, scented body lotions or cologne, please!
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing:
- a short sleeve shir
- regular underwear (not thong style panties)
- You may want to bring warm socks or slippers, and a sweater.
- Feel free to bring an iPod or MP3 with headphones or any thing that will make you feel more comfortable.
- Have some menstrual pads at home because you can't use tampons following the procedure.
- We recommend you have Ibuprofen (Advil) or Tylenol at home.
- Anticipate at least a 3 hour stay.
- You must have someone to drive you home or plan to take a taxi or the bus
- You are welcome to have one support person (no more!) with you at the clinic
- You must bring your care card or number and photo ID.
- Your support person also needs to have a photo ID to get in.
- Cell phones are strictly prohibited in the clinic area.
- if you must bring your phone, keep it turned off and out of view
- security will remove any phones that we see
Children are not permitted in the clinic.
Pregnancies of 12 Weeks or More
Sometimes it is necessary to use laminaria, especially once a pregnancy has reached 12 weeks. Laminaria are small devices made from sterilized compressed natural or synthetic material that are inserted by a doctor into the cervix (opening of the uterus) usually the day before an abortion procedure. They are about the size and shape of a matchstick. One or more laminaria may be placed into the cervix where it absorbs moisture and slowly gets larger, gently expanding the opening of the uterus.
The laminaria will safely enlarge the opening and soften the tissues of the cervix. This shortens the time of the abortion procedure, and decreases the risk of damage to the muscles in the cervix. It is important to be sure of your decision to end the pregnancy before having the laminaria inserted. Although you could have them removed, there is a significant risk of serious complications such as infection and miscarriage. It is also not safe to leave the laminaria in place for more than two days.
After the Procedure
Bleeding
Everyone experiences a different amount and type of bleeding. You may not bleed until a few days after the abortion, or you may not bleed at all. Some women have very little bleeding for the first four or five days and then experience strong cramps and a few hours of heavy bleeding. The bleeding may last only a few days or it may continue off and on until your next normal period. The blood may be brownish or bright red and there may be some small clots or stringy white material. Use sanitary pads or panty liners, not tampons. Generally, your first period will come in about four to six weeks.
Cramping
- Menstrual-like cramps may occur for the first week or two. It is common to have more cramping on the fourth or fifth day after your abortion. Your cramps will also increase with more activity. If you are having bad cramps, lie down and rest. A hot water bottle or heating pad may help.
- Medication can be helpful for cramping. Ibuprofen (Advil) is an effective medication that does not require a prescription. You can take 400mg (two 200mg tablets) every four hours. Other helpful medications are Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and acetaminophen with codeine.
Avoid infection
- Do not put anything in your vagina for two weeks. This means no vaginal intercourse (sex), tampons, douches, or suppositories.
- Avoid tub baths, swimming, or hot tubs for the first week and then until your bleeding has stopped or you have only light spotting.
- If you have been given antibiotics, it is important to take them as directed.
Symptoms of pregnancy
- Over the next two weeks, your symptoms of pregnancy will gradually decrease.
- Appetite and bathroom habits will return to normal.
- A small amount of fluid may leak from your breasts. Wearing a tight, supportive bra and avoiding touching your breasts may help this.
- Emotional “ups and downs” are common in the first week and will soon even out. It may help to talk about your feelings with your partner, friends, and family.
Activity
- Decide on your activities by how you feel. Most women return to their daily routine and to their work the day after the abortion. However, avoid strenuous activities and sports for at least two days.
- Avoid alcohol for at least two days.
- You may eat as soon as you want, and whatever you want.
Post Procedure Counselling
Some women find they are feeling more emotional following the abortion experience than they had expected. Often it helps to talk about your feelings with a professional. If you would like to see one of our counselors, please phone for an appointment.
Follow-up
You may choose to see a doctor for an exam two weeks after your abortion. Be sure to let your doctor know if you are still feeling pregnant after two weeks or if you do not get a normal period within six weeks.
Emergency Contraception (Morning-after Pill)
Emergency Contraception (EC) is one of the best-kept secrets in contraception today. If your contraceptive fails for any reason (for example if your condom breaks or comes off), or if you do not use any contraception, you can use EC up to 72 hours later and reduce your chance of getting pregnant, although the earlier the treatment is started, the more effective it is in preventing a pregnancy. Most doctors’ offices have a supply of EC. You can also get them from Options for Sexual Health, a youth clinic, public health units, a walk-in clinic, or at an emergency room.
Some Pharmacies also carry ECP or ‘Plan-B’ but they will charge a dispensing and information fee. For more information: http://www.go2planb.com/ForConsumers/Index.aspx
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