Please read the following information to help you prepare for your appointment.

Before the Day of Your Procedure

• Plan to be at the clinic for up to three hours on the day of your abortion, and plan to rest at home until the next day after your abortion is done.
• Most women find it helpful to take the next day off from work. We can provide a letter stating that you require the day off “for health care reasons”.
  
• Please fast from solids and liquids 6 hours prior to your scheduled arrival time. Sips of clear fluids are permitted up to 1 hour before arrival (water, apple juice, black tea; NO milk or sugar). Our commitment to providing safe care means we are required to rebook procedures for patients who have no met fasting requirements.
  
• Do not drink alcohol or use street (recreational) drugs for 24 hours before your appointment.
• Have a supply of sanitary pads at home (not tampons).
• Plan to have someone to drive you home or accompany you in a taxi or on public transit.
• Do not drive for 24 hours after your abortion (medications for pain control cause you to be impaired).

On the Day of Your Procedure

• Bring two pieces of identification with you. One piece must be photo ID, and the other, your BC CareCard.
• If you do not have BC Medical Plan coverage or are paying extra fees, please bring a debit card, credit card, or cash in the correct amount (ATM machines are available on site).
• You may bring one escort only. He or she must have photo ID. Your escort may wait for you in the clinic waiting room, or may leave a phone number to be contacted when you are ready to leave the clinic.
• Have a bath or shower prior to coming to your appointment.
• BC Women’s is a scent-free environment. Do not use scented body products. Please also advise your escort.
• Clothing:
• Wear a short-sleeved top and regular underwear (no thong-style panties).
• Wear flat shoes (no high heels).
• Bring warm socks and a sweater (the clinic is air-conditioned and may be chilly).
• Cell phones must be turned off while inside the building.
• You may bring a personal music device such as an iPod, or reading material such as a book or magazine.
• You may bring a snack to eat following the procedure.
• Children are not permitted inside the clinic area. If you bring a child, he or she must have a care-giver, and will be able to use our family waiting room (ask clerical staff for directions).

CARE Program provides abortions using conscious (awake) sedation and local anesthesia for managing pain. Your clinic visit may take up to four hours as time is needed to check-in, talk with the counsellor, sign the consent form, have the procedure, and rest in the recovery area.

Please read through the following information to help you take care of yourself after your abortion and to learn about your recovery process.

Taking Care of Yourself

After you leave the clinic, it is a good idea to rest for the remainder of the day, and avoid strenuous activity for a few days. Many women find it helpful to take the next day off from work or school.

Because the medications you have been given will stay in your system for several hours, you must avoid driving or operating any mechanical devices, and avoid alcohol and street drugs for 48 hours.

You can get pregnant again soon after an abortion. You can start using a birth control method immediately (the Pill, Patch, vaginal ring, Depo Provera® injection, or IUD).

For the Next Two Weeks

• No swimming pools or hot tubs
• No tub baths
• No douches or vaginal sprays
• No vaginal intercourse (sex)
• No tampons

What you can expect following your abortion:

Bleeding:

You may have bleeding, like a period for about 1 to 2 weeks. The bleeding may be light at first, then it may become heavier after a few days. Some women have very little or no bleeding, which is also normal.

Your period will return in 4 to 6 weeks (sooner if you start birth control pills, the Patch or the vaginal ring). Your period may be delayed if you have a Depo Provera® injection or an IUD inserted.

Cramping:

You may have period-like cramping or pain for 1 to 2 weeks following your abortion. You may use acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or Ibuprofen (Advil® or 
Motrin®) for pain. Do not use Aspirin®.

Body Changes:

Most of your pregnancy symptoms will go away within a few days, but some (such as breast changes) may last longer if you are using birth control pills, the patch or vaginal ring.

Your breasts may leak small amounts of fluid. This is normal.

Changes in your mood may be related to the changes in hormone levels and will be short term. It may take a few weeks for complete physical and emotional recovery.

When to call if you are worried about your recovery:

Too much bleeding:

• More than 3 pads soaked in 2 to 3 hours;
• Blood clots larger than a lemon.

Signs of Infection:

• Fever higher than 38°C. (100.4°F.);
• Chills or shivering;
• Unusual, bad smelling discharge from your vagina

Other:

• Severe pain (not controlled by medication or comfort measures);
• Vomiting or nausea that does not go away in a few days;
• No period by the end of 6 weeks (unless you have had a Depo Provera injection or a Mirena IUD inserted);
• Pregnancy symptoms that persist after 2 weeks

Call: (604) 875-2161

• Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and ask for “Pager 2412”
• Monday to Friday 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and ask for the “CARE Doctor on call”
• If you cannot reach us or if you live out of town, go to your local hospital emergency room.

Follow Up:

If you have any concerns after your abortion, we recommend a follow up visit in 2 weeks. You may make an appointment to see a doctor at CARE, your family doctor, a youth clinic, an Options for Sexual Health Clinic, or a walk-in clinic.

If you have had an IUD inserted, it is important to have it checked by a doctor in about 6 weeks, to make sure the IUD is still in place.

If you require further counselling, please call us at: 604-875-2022 to arrange a post abortion counselling visit
OR
call the Pregnancy Options Service (POS) at 1-888-875 3163 or 604-875-3163, to speak with a counsellor.