Not all pregnancies are desired, and abortion in Quebec is available to anyone who wishes to terminate a pregnancy. Your body, your decision. Choosing to undergo an abortion procedure depends solely on the person who is pregnant. And this decision can be made at any time during the pregnancy. However, it’s best to know that once you’re past the first trimester, having an abortion can become more complex. Whatever your decision, the medical staff are there to help you make it as smoothly as possible. If you wish to have an abortion, you will be accompanied with empathy and kindness.
What is abortion?
Abortion is the medical act of terminating a pregnancy. It is also known as termination of pregnancy. For an abortion to take place, the developing embryo must be removed from the uterus.
Abortion is legal in Canada, and there’s no deadline for having an abortion. This means that anyone can have an abortion at any time during their pregnancy. However, it’s important to know that the more advanced the pregnancy, the more complicated it can be to obtain an abortion.
Abortions can be performed in one of two ways: with medication or with medical instruments. Here’s a closer look at what’s involved.
Termination of pregnancy with medication
This method is rapid and can be used up to the 7th week of pregnancy. The medication used is either a pill or an injection.
Note that these drugs are not the same as the emergency contraceptives sold in pharmacies. The “morning-after pill” can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex.
There are three stages to medication abortion:
- The first dose of medication stops the pregnancy.
- The second dose of medication triggers contractions so that the pregnant person’s body ejects the embryo.
- The final step is a follow-up appointment after the termination to confirm that the medication has worked.
In rare cases, medication may not be enough. In these cases, people must resort to surgical abortion.
Termination of pregnancy using medical instruments
This method is also known as “surgical abortion”. It involves removing the embryo from the uterus by suction. While some people may feel anxious about having to undergo the operation, it’s a short one. It lasts around 15 minutes. The procedure is safe and supervised by health professionals who accompany patients without judgment and with respect for their decision.
Who can have an abortion in Canada?
In Canada, abortion is a legal and safe practice. And in Quebec, anyone who shows their health insurance card is entitled to a free abortion. It’s also important to know that the choice of whether or not to have an abortion always rests with the pregnant woman. It is therefore never necessary to obtain authorization from a partner or medical service.
And from the age of 14, a young person can have an abortion without needing permission from parents or legal guardians.
During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, abortion is easily accessible. During this first trimester, you can have an abortion at a hospital, CLSC (Centre Local de Services Communautaires) or medical clinic.
After the first few weeks of pregnancy, a person does not lose the right to have an abortion. However, there is an increased risk of complications during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. As a result, some facilities or doctors reserve the right to refuse to perform the operation. That said, these specialists must refer you to other competent services.
If you are at an advanced stage of pregnancy and are thinking of having an abortion, you can contact a specialized service to assist you. The Centre des rendez-vous en avortement de Montréal and SOS Grossesse will help you get an appointment for a free abortion.
What happens during an abortion?
An abortion at a clinic or medical facility takes place over the course of a day. Before going to your appointment, you must stay without food or drink for 4 hours.
The first part of your appointment
At the clinic, you’ll need to present your health insurance card, fill out a medical form and sign an abortion consent form. You will then meet with a nurse who will explain all the steps in the process. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be given information about contraception.
This meeting time is also an opportunity for you to express your concerns and ask any questions you may have. Staff are bound by medical confidentiality, so you can express yourself freely and talk about any concerns you may have. Sometimes it’s comforting to be able to confide in someone on neutral ground, without fear of being judged.
In the medical intervention room
Medical staff are present at your side throughout the procedure, but you cannot bring a close friend or relative with you. The procedure lasts approximately 15 minutes.
The first step is an ultrasound to check the week of your pregnancy. To perform the ultrasound, a jelly-coated probe is placed on your belly.
Next, you are given painkillers and a local anesthetic to freeze your cervix. As a result, you remain awake throughout the procedure, but do not feel any severe pain. However, it is quite possible that you may experience discomfort or cramps similar to those experienced with menstrual pain.
Finally, the embryo is removed by suction through a small tube placed in the uterus and connected to a pump. The doctor then cleans the walls of the uterus to ensure that all placenta has been removed, and performs a final suction.
After the operation
The medical staff will keep you under observation in a rest room for about 1 hour after the operation. They will also give you all the information you need about post-operative care.
You’ll also need to arrange for someone to accompany you on the return journey, as you won’t be able to drive. You’ll also need a rest period of 24 to 48 hours.
Whatever your situation, it’s perfectly normal to feel strong emotions. As far as possible, surround yourself with people you trust to help you and accompany you to your appointments. Support is important in both pregnancy and abortion.
Sources
https://educaloi.qc.ca/capsules/avortement
https://educaloi.qc.ca/capsules/lavortement-quand-tu-as-moins-de-18-ans
