Having an abortion is a normal and common experience. One in three people who can get pregnant will have one in their lifetime. In Canada, abortion is a safe and legal medical process performed or prescribed by healthcare providers.
There are two types of abortion:
- Procedural abortion involves a procedure completed in a hospital or clinic. This is also called surgical abortion.
- Medication abortion involves taking a combination of prescribed pills at home or wherever you feel comfortable.
In many regions, there are hospitals and clinics that offer abortion. But some people live far from these providers or may already have a healthcare provider they like.
In Canada, any doctor and nurse practitioner can prescribe medication abortion. In Quebec, midwives are also allowed. This means that depending where you live, you have the option to ask any of these healthcare providers for this care.
Some of them may not have the most up-to-date information about medication abortion though. They may not know they can prescribe it or what is required of them in their province or territory to offer it.
In this guide we share facts and tips to help you ask a healthcare provider for medication abortion.
Can I download this guide?
Yes. This Pocket Guide is part of Action Canada's Your Sexual Health App and can be downloaded to your phone or mobile device. Once downloaded, you can access this information when you don't have access to wi-fi or data.
To install the app:
- Go to www.actioncanadashr.org on your mobile device
- Click the or icon in the top right or bottom right of the web browser.
- Select “Add to Home Screen” and the app will install. If "Add to home screen” isn't an option, select "Share” and then "Add to home screen'' when it appears.
Having trouble? Find more details on the Your Sexual Health App page.
Are pregnancy tests from the store accurate?
Yes. Pregnancy tests that use urine (pee) are accurate if used correctly and according to the instructions. These tests work by detecting a hormone in your urine called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that is produced during pregnancy.
These tests work the same way as urine tests from a doctor’s office. They can be found in pharmacies, grocery and dollar stores, or ordered online.
You can take a pregnancy test as soon as your period is late. If the test is negative, it may not mean that you are not pregnant. If the test is taken too early, there may not be enough pregnancy hormone in your body for the test to find. If you continue to experience pregnancy symptoms you can do another test a few days later.
What exactly is Mifegymiso?
Mifegymiso (mi-fee-guy-mi-so) is the brand name for a kit that contains two medications (mifepristone and misoprostol) used together for medication abortion in Canada.
Mifepristone blocks the effects of progesterone; a hormone needed for pregnancy to continue. Misoprostol causes contractions of the uterus, which helps to push out the pregnancy.
Taken together, these medications are a highly effective abortion method. For more information check out the Mifegymiso patient information guide.
How is a Nurse Practitioner different from a Registered Nurse?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) with an advanced university education. NPs have at least 2 years of practice and master’s degrees in addition to their nursing school education. They can diagnose and treat many health problems.
Nurse Practitioners are the only nurses who can prescribe Mifegymiso.
Is abortion legal in Canada?
Yes. In 1988, abortion was decriminalized in Canada which means there are no laws or legal regulations specific to abortion.
Abortion is healthcare, so it is regulated like other medical procedures. There are rules about which healthcare professionals can provide it and what procedures they must follow. These rules are set by every province and territory in Canada, so access to abortion across the country can look different depending on where you live. You can learn more about Abortion and the Law in the Abortion Access Tracker.
If I’m under 18, do I need permission to have an abortion?
People under 18 years old do not need parental consent to access abortion in most of Canada. If you understand what it means to be pregnant and to have an abortion, you are considered able to consent to abortion care.
In practice, there may be some exceptions or additional information to know by region:
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In Quebec, parental consent is required for all medical treatments including abortion if you are under 14 years old.
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In Manitoba, some physicians may require a parent or guardian’s permission if you are under 18 years old.
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In Newfoundland and Labrador, you need parental consent if you are under 19 to access abortion at the Health Sciences Centre.
The Abortion Access Tracker provides more information on abortion access for people under 18 years of age by province or territory.
No matter how old you are, you never need permission from your partner or the person that you became pregnant with.
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.