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This is some basic, but important
information about abortion. Some people say "therapeutic" or "surgical"
abortion, but most people just use the word abortion. Abortion means ending a
pregnancy. It is a choice that many women consider for an uplanned or unwanted
pregnancy. It doesn't matter why a woman wants to have an abortion; she
has a legal right to make this choice.
Abortions are often done in hospitals.
Women can also get an abortion at a clinic which specializes in doing abortions.
It doesn't matter whether you go to a hospital or a clinic -- both are safe
places to have an abortion.
How Is An Abortion Done And Is It
Safe?
There are different kinds of abortions, but
this is what usually happens if it is done in the first three months of
pregnancy. During an abortion, a woman lies on her back. The doctor gently opens
her vagina to see her cervix, or opening to her womb. The doctor uses either a
local anesthetic to numb this area or a general anesthetic to make her
sleep.
The doctor gradually
opens the cervix and inserts a small tube. This tube is attached to a machine
which gently removes the contents of the womb. Then the doctor carefully checks
the inside of the womb to make sure no tissue remains. This procedure takes
about 10 minutes.
Afterwards, the woman usually has some bleeding like a menstrual period.
She will probably be able to go to school or work the next day, provided she
doesn't have to do any heavy lifting or a lot of standing.
An abortion done after 12 weeks of
pregnancy may be different. Ask questions about anything you don't understand.
Some common questions about abortions are:
Q. Is abortion
painful?
A. Many
women feel cramps, like strong period cramps for a short time. Medication is
given if the cramps are uncomfortable.
Q. How safe is
abortion?
A.
Abortions are very safe if they are legal and done by trained doctors with
safe, modern equipment. And, the earlier an abortion is done, the lower
the chance of any complications.
Q. If I have an abortion, can I
still have children later on?
A. Yes. Women who have had an abortion done by a qualified doctor
are just as likely to have a healthy baby in the future as other women. It is
important to begin using birth control from the first time you have sex after an
abortion.
Does a Parent or Partner Need to Sign a
Consent Form?
A woman might want to talk to her partner
before deciding to have an abortion; however, she doesn't need to get his
consent or agreement. Hospitals, clinics, family doctors and health insurance
plans must keep the names of those having abortions private and
confidential.
To have an abortion in a clinic, a parent's
consent is not needed, no matter how old you are, as long as the doctor believes
that you understand what is going to happen. If you are under 16, you will need
to have a parent's consent to have a hospital abortion.
Remember, for both hospital and clinic
abortions, there might be different requirements. It's important to ask about
the requirements ahead of time.
Where Can I Go To Have An
Abortion?
Abortions are done in a hospital or in a
clinic that specializes in abortions.
To have an abortion in a hospital, you may need to
visit a birth control clinic, your family doctor or a women's health centre
first. They will help you make the arrangements. A hospital usually requires two
or more appointments. The woman may receive a general anesthetic so that she
will be asleep during the abortion. She will be at the hospital most of the
day.
To have an abortion at
an abortion clinic, you can call and make an appointment yourself. At an
abortion clinic, women usually have one appointment that lasts about 4 hours. A
local anesthetic is used which means she will be awake and kept comfortable. In
both the clinic and the hospital, the actual abortion takes about 10
minutes.
An abortion should
be done as early as possible. Most abortions are done during the first 12 weeks
of pregnancy, and many hospitals will only do abortions up until then.
Sometimes, abortions are done as late as 20 weeks. If you are thinking about
having an abortion, you should get the information you need as early as
possible.
Some places you
can get this information are:
a Planned Parenthood
Association
a birth control
centre
a women's health
centre at a hospital
your
public health unit
The more questions you ask, the better
informed you'll be.
But be
careful! Some doctors, clinics or crisis pregnancy centres will not help arrange
for an abortion. Some may try to talk you out of having an abortion. So get all
the information you need to make the choice that is right for you.
How late in the Pregnancy Can I Get an
Abortion?
An abortion should be done as early as
possible. Early abortions are safest and easiest. The earlier you go to a doctor
or clinic after you've missed a period, the sooner you'll know whether you're
pregnant. Doctors estimate how many weeks pregnant a woman is by counting from
the first day of the women's last menstrual period. It's important to know that
date when you go for a pregnancy test.
Most abortions in Canada are performed in the first
12 weeks, also called the first trimester, of pregnancy. Sometimes abortions are
done after 12 weeks, in the second trimester. Later abortions are more difficult
to get.
In Canada, late
abortions, after 20 weeks, are usually done to protect the health of the
pregnant woman or because of test results showing problems with the fetus.
Although they are safe, late abortions can have more complications than early
abortions. While there is no time limit for when abortions can be done in
Canada, it is very rare for abortions to be done after 20 weeks.
How Do Women Feel After An
Abortion?
Women have abortions for lots of reasons.
Studies find that most women feel relief after an abortion -- they feel the've
made the decision that was right for them at that time in their
lives.
A woman may feel
upset if she did not get support from her partner, friends, family or doctor, of
if a women felt pressured into having an abortion. Many women find a good friend
or counsellor helpful at this time. There is counselling available at Planned
Parenthood organizations, Public Health and abortion clinics.
When Someone You Know Wants an
Abortion
Perhaps your partner, daughter or friend is
considering abortion, or has just had an abortion. Many people in this situation
feel confused, upset, concerned or even angry.
Making a decision about an unplanned pregnancy is
often hard. All three options -- abortion, keeping the baby or giving the baby
up for adoption -- can create a feeling of loss for those involved. The final
decision about an abortion or what to do about a pregnancy belongs to the
woman.
A lot of women turn
to their partners, friends and family for support. Sometimes it's difficult for
them to be supportive and comforting because they feel so strongly
themselves.You can encourage the woman to share her thoughts by sharing yours,
by being honest about feelings and concerns. You may not agree with her
decision, but you can still be supportive and care for her.
Women often talk to a counsellor to help
them make a decision; you might find this very helpful also.
Remember, there is free counselling
available at Planned Parenthood organizations or Public Health
Clinics.
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