About your Appointment
Important: please complete the COVID-19 self-assessment at this link prior to your appointment: COVID-19 screening tool. If it is recommended that you be tested for COVID-19, you can find a list of testing sites here.
Please note: Some people have severe reactions to scented products. Thank you for not wearing perfume and reducing other scents when visiting the clinic.
Medication Abortion
Your appointment will be at either WHC’s Portage Clinic or WHC on Graham Avenue. Please assure ahead of time that you know where your appointment is.
If your appointment is at the Portage Clinic:
346 Portage Ave – Unit 2, 2nd floor (use street entrance at 350 Portage Ave, take elevator or stairs)
You will arrive at the clinic about ten minutes before your appointment time to fill out forms. If someone is bringing you to your appointment, we ask that they drop you off and pick you up after your appointment.
When your forms are filled out, we will complete an ultrasound to check for gestational dates.
A counsellor will discuss medication abortion with you. They will talk you through medication instructions, what to expect after, and possible complications. They will give you resources on how to take care of yourself after you take the medications.
The counsellor will discuss your birth control plan with you, and can give you information on accessing WHC’s birth control supplies program. They can answer any questions you may have about the medications or birth control.
Clinic staff will take a blood sample from you for Rh and Beta HCG (pregnancy hormone) testing.
You will also provide a urine sample so they can test for chlamydia and gonorrhea. You will also have the option of screening for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C.
After your urine and blood samples are taken, you will see a doctor and swallow the first pill, mifepristone. Once you take this pill, the effects are not reversible. You may have some bleeding after taking mifepristone, but it is unlikely you will pass pregnancy after taking this pill.
You will then be able to leave the clinic. After 24-48 hours, you’ll place four pills of mifegymiso in your cheeks. Leave them in your mouth for 30 minutes. Swallow the remainder of the pills by drinking a glass of water.
You will receive a bag to take home which contains the misoprostol pills for you to take 24 to 48 hours later at home. It will also contain medications to help with side effects and written information explaining everything you need to know.
You will be at the clinic for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
If your appointment is at the Graham Clinic:
Graham: 419 Graham Ave – 3rd floor (take stairs or elevator)
We will call you ahead of your in-person appointment to talk about your health, how to take your medications, what to expect after you take your medication, and answer any questions you have.
On the day of your appointment, you will have an ultrasound to see how long you have been pregnant. We will take blood to for RH testing and Beta HCG (pregnancy hormone) test, and urine for chlamydia and gonorrhea screening. Screening for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B/C is optional. Then you will take your first pill to start the process (mifepristone).
You will receive a bag to take home which contains the misoprostol pills for you to take 24 to 48 hours later at home. It will also contain medications to help with side effects and written information explaining everything you need to know.
You will be at the clinic for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Aspiration Abortion
Please arrive at the clinic ten minutes before your appointment time to fill out forms. If someone is bringing you to your appointment, we ask that they drop you off and pick you up after your appointment.
You will fill out forms in the waiting area. Then we will complete an ultrasound to check for gestational dates.
A counsellor will discuss aspiration abortion with you. They’ll discuss your feelings and any concerns you have. They will talk you through the procedure, what to expect after, and possible complications. They will give you resources on how to take care of yourself after the procedure.
The counsellor will discuss your birth control plan with you, and can give you information on accessing WHC’s birth control supplies program. They can answer any questions you may have about the procedure or birth control options.
You will then get changed into a clinic skirt, and meet with a nurse. They will go over your medical history, take your blood pressure, start an IV, and give you medication (naproxen) to reduce cramps.
If you are between 14 and 16 weeks pregnant, you may be given medication (misoprostol) a few hours before the procedure. This softens the cervix to make dilation easier.
You will have a doctor, nurse, and medical assistant in the room with you throughout your procedure. The doctor will:
- review your medical history and answer any questions you have, and offer you strong pain medication to reduce the discomfort of the procedure
• ask you to lie on an exam table with your legs in rests (like having a pap smear)
• perform a gentle pelvic exam to determine the size and shape of your uterus
• insert a speculum into your vagina
• after taking swabs for gonorrhea and chlamydia screening, your cervix will be gently opened with dilating rods
• remove the contents of the uterus by using suction
The procedure itself takes about ten minutes. It is the safest, simplest method and removes all pregnancy tissues.
After the procedure, the nurse will take you to a recovery room. You may feel fine physically, but it is also normal to feel dizzy, nauseous, or weak. Normal emotional reactions include feeling sad, relieved, or relaxed.
A nurse will go over aftercare with you. You don’t need a follow-up appointment following an aspiration abortion.
If you do have concerns following your procedure, call the emergency number you were given at your appointment.