As an abortion care provider in Canada, I know anti-abortion politics in the U.S. can cause fear and confusion here, often resulting in delays and barriers to care. Unlike in the U.S., access to abortion in Canada has improved significantly in recent years. Abortion was completely decriminalized in 1988 and is publicly funded as a regular part of health care, and the introduction of mifepristone for medication abortion in 2015 vastly improved access. But because abortion is not openly talked about, what it involves and how to get care may not be commonly known.
Here?s everything you need to know about abortion care in Canada, and how to access an abortion in every province and territory.
What is a medication abortion"
A pregnancy can be terminated by medication or aspiration (also referred to as surgical abortion). Medication abortion involves two medications: one 200 mg mifepristone pill (taken orally) and four 200 mcg misoprostol pills (in the form of vaginal suppositories or oral tablets), taken 24 to 48 hours apart. Mifepristone causes hormonal changes incompatible with pregnancy, effectively ?stopping? the pregnancy; misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, expelling blood and tissue. The medications can take a few days to work and can involve very heavy bleeding and cramping. Mifepristone is approved by Health Canada for use for up to nine weeks of pregnancy. With the exception of Quebec, primary care providers?including family doctors, nurse practitioners, a...