Abortions in Saskatoon
In Saskatoon, abortions are available by referral until 12 weeks into the pregnancy from the first day of your last regular period. Referrals are available from Sexual Health Centre Saskatoon (either in person or by phone), from the Community Clinic, or from your family doctor (if they are pro-choice and you're comfortable asking).
Medical Terminations (done with medication)
Medical terminations are performed before 7 weeks from the first day of your last regular period and are basically a medically-induced miscarriage. Using a number of different criteria the doctor will decide whether you are a good candidate for medical termination. There will be at least 5 appointments normally required for a medical termination and you must live in Saskatoon to be eligible for medical termination.
The process begins with an appointment with a pro-choice doctor, (there may also be an ultrasound booked before your appointment depending which doctor you see). This doctor will give you a physical exam, confirm your pregnancy, and speak with you briefly to ensure you're certain about your choice. From there, you'll receive a prescription for the necessary medications. There is a cost for this medication - the amount varies depending on body mass and the amount of medication needed. The maximum cost is $75.
You'll bring the medication right back to the doctor (same day) and receive an injection - this stops fetal development. A few days later, either on your own (with instructions from the doctor) or at a second appointment, several tablets will be placed onto your cervix. These tablets cause your period to start. Over the next week or two you will need to get a number of blood tests to ensure the medication worked to end the pregnancy and you will then return to see the doctor for a final follow-up appointment.
Things to be Aware Of:
- There is the possibility that the medication will not end the pregnancy. If this happens you MUST follow-up with surgical termination. The medication used for this procedure is teratogenic, meaning the medication will interfere with normal fetal development and resulting in birth defects.
- This is a much more complicated process then a surgical termination. Women may choose this option because it is done earlier in the pregnancy then a surgical termination but it is not a simpler method.
- Medical terminations can result in heavy cramping and bleeding.
Surgical Terminations
A surgical termination also begins with an appointment with a pro-choice doctor: a physical exam, a confirmation of pregnancy, and a discussion to ensure you are certain of your decision. Some doctors may require that you have an ultrasound as well as blood taken prior to this first appointment.
From there, the doctor will arrange a second date, the date of the actual termination, to be done at a hospital in the city. Surgical terminations are done at the Women’s Health Centre and they are performed under local anesthetic and conscious sedation. (Conscious sedation is a type of sedation in which the sedated individual can respond to verbal directions, but she feels little to no pain, and has an altered level of consciousness. This level of sedation is used for minor procedures which do not merit the use of general anesthesia). There can be a lot of waiting with surgery and terminations are no exception - so it's a good idea to bring a book, or some music, or even better, someone for support and company with you. The procedure itself is only about 15 minutes. However, you may be groggy or nauseous afterwards from the anesthetic, so you will need to arrange for someone else to drive you home.
Abortion is a safe medical procedure. However like every surgical procedure there are possible complications that can occur. Complications might include bleeding, infection or injury to the cervix, uterus or nearby organs. These problems are rare, and usually are not serious. Most are easy to treat when symptoms are reported right away.
Things to be Aware Of:
- Infection: if you have a fever, aches, nausea, etc., these could be signs of infection and you should seek medical attention quickly at a local hospital
- Hemorrhaging: most women bleed after an abortion anywhere from 3-10 days (it is also normal to not bleed at all). However, if you are soaking more than a heavy pad in an hour you could be hemorrhaging and you need to seek medical attention quickly at a local hospital.
- Use pads not tampons until all bleeding has stopped. When your period has returned to normal (usually within a month) you may resume using tampons.
- You may return to work/school etc., whenever you feel like it but avoid strenuous activity for 2-3 days.
- Avoid taking baths for a couple of weeks in order to reduce the risk of infection
- Avoid sexual intercourse for three weeks. It is possible to become pregnant again and there is a higher risk of infection
- Check with your doctor to see when you should begin taking the birth control pill again
- Be sure to have a check-up with a doctor after 2-3 weeks
For more information, please call Sexual Health Centre Saskatoon at 244-7989.