Abortion Care
What are my options?
Abortion services are currently available in Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) for ending pregnancies up to 12 weeks. For more information about abortion services or to obtain a referral, contact any of the following providers:
- Medical Clinics
- PMH Public Health Offices
- or call toll free – 1-833-654-0325
- Walk In Clinics
If you are over 12 weeks pregnant, we refer to Women’s Health Clinic or Health Sciences Centre (HSC). Women’s Health Clinic performs abortions up to 16 weeks and HSC provides surgical abortions for up to 19 weeks and six days pregnant.
- Health Sciences Centre (HSC) patient self-referral line: 204-787-1980
- Women’s Health Clinic: 1-866-947-1517 or 204-477-1887
Medical Abortion (abortion pill)
Provided up to 10 weeks
- A medical abortion involves taking two medications mifepristone and misoprostol to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone is administered at your appointment. The second medication is given to take at home 24 to 48 hours later.
- You will be instructed on required follow-up bloodwork.
- Pregnancy is ended within days.
- Medical abortion is successful in ending a pregnancy in about 98% of cases. Follow-up care is important to confirm that the medications worked as expected and that the abortion is complete.
In rare cases, the medications may not end the pregnancy and a second dose of medication or a surgical abortion is required.
Important to know
You can get pregnant at any time after your medical abortion. If you are concerned about pregnancy, follow the birth control plan you talked about with our staff.
Prevent sexually transmitted infections by always using a condom when you have sex.
If you have unprotected sex, a condom breaks, or you miss taking your birth control pill, you can take the Emergency contraceptive Pill (Plan B). You can get it without a prescription at public health, hospital emergency departments and many
pharmacies.
Surgical Abortion (uterine aspiration)
Provided up to 12 weeks
- A surgical abortion using sedation and pain control.
- Your visit may take up to 6 – 8 hours as time is needed to check-in, talk with the counsellor, sign the consent form, have the procedure and recover.
- Ends a pregnancy immediately.
- Clients cannot drive themselves home after the procedure and must arrange for responsible adult transportation (not transit bus) from the hospital.
- Surgical abortion is a procedure performed at Brandon Regional Health Centre, Dauphin Regional Health Centre and the Neepawa Hospital.
Abortion is Legal in Canada
If you are under 18 years of age, you can make your own decision about having an abortion and do not need permission from a parent, guardian or spouse.
Your health-care provider will talk with you to ensure you understand the procedure and have the information you need to make an informed decision about your care. They may also discuss the option of involving a trusted adult, if appropriate and if you
choose to do so.
Fees
If you have a Manitoba Health Card or coverage from another province there is no cost to have an abortion in Manitoba.
If you do not have a Manitoba Health card, private health insurance may help cover some or all of the cost of your abortion care. We will help those without insurance coverage explore options.
Contraception
Contraception options will be discussed at your appointment. Clients with a valid MHSC can obtain all forms of contraception for free through Public Health or at retail pharmacies. Condoms are provided at all Public Health Offices.