Personal and confidential abortion care for women since 1992.
2431 - 5th Avenue N.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2N oT3
Appointments
403 283-9117
Fax
403 283-9139
Frequently Asked Questions
- How safe is abortion?
- Will it hurt?
- Will I be asleep?
- How long will it take?
- Do I need parental consent?
- Can I have someone with me?
- When can I go back to work?
- How much does it cost?
- Is this confidential?
How safe is abortion?
When abortion was illegal it was a very unsafe procedure. This is because people often did the procedure under unsanitary conditions or with no medical training. However, since legalization, abortion has become one of the safest of all surgical procedures available. In the first three months (first trimester), 97% of women report no complications, 2.5% report minor problems that can be handled in a doctor's office and less than 0.5% require hospitalization for complications. To put this in perspective, there are far fewer complications of a much less serious nature after a first trimester abortion than what is commonly experienced by women after childbirth. Complication rates are a little higher in the second trimester, but the procedure remains very safe.
Factors that will affect the complication rate include the skill and training of the provider, the woman's health, the method of abortion used and the type of anesthesia used. Details on the risks are outlined on the Surgical Abortion and Medical Abortion pages.
To some extent, you can minimize your risk of complications by not delaying the procedure beyond the first trimester. You will also have a more comfortable and safer experience if you provide full disclosure of any health problems or drug use. Ask questions and make sure you understand the post-operative instructions. Take your medications as directed and have a follow-up examination if you have any concerns.
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Will it hurt?
To control pain, before the procedure begins, a local anesthetic is administered to the cervix and IV sedation is given. Some women will still have menstrual-type cramps during the procedure and these cramps can continue for an hour or more. While you might experience some discomfort during or after the procedure, most women find that it is controllable and does not last very long. (Some women elect to have the procedure without IV sedation and do so without any problems).
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Will I be asleep?
The type of sedation offered is called conscious sedation. Conscious sedation is meant to relax you for the short time (5 - 15 minutes) it takes to complete the procedure. Unlike a general anesthetic where you are in a deep sleep, conscious sedation will make you drowsy or cause you to briefly fall asleep, but you can be easily awakened.
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How long will it take?
The procedure normally takes 5 - 15 minutes, but you will be in the clinic for 2 to 3 hours. Try not to come before your appointment time, as you will only have longer to wait. If you have someone coming to pick you up, make sure they arrive by 4:00 p.m. as the clinic will be closing.
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Do I need parental consent?
No. Consent in Alberta is based on capacity, not age. If the physician and clinic staff feel you understand the procedure and its risks, you may sign your own consent form. We encourage young women to talk to a parent or guardian before having an abortion and most do. However, if you are reluctant to talk to your parents, there are sympathetic people you can speak to. Whether you plan to continue or terminate your pregnancy, see a doctor as soon as possible. Early medical attention will result in a better and safer outcome regardless of what you choose to do. Call Kensington Clinic at (403) 283-9117 or visit www.wontgetweird.com for information on resources in your area.
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Can I have someone with me?
We advise you to bring one responsible adult with you for support and to assist you home. Your support person can wait in the clinic for you or return later to pick you up. If someone is coming to pick you up, they must be at the clinic no later than 4 p.m.
To respect everyone's privacy, support people are not allowed into the procedure or recovery room.
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When can I go back to work?
Many women return to work or school the next day. We recommend that you do not do anything strenuous for 24 hours. Therefore, depending on the type of work you do, you may have to arrange for time off.
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How much does it cost?
There is no cost if you have Alberta Health Care insurance or Saskatchewan Health Care insurance. If you are from any other province you will have to pay a portion or the entire fee. If you are subject to a fee with us, you may still be able to avoid this cost by going to a hospital for your procedure (some provinces will pay for a hospital abortion but not a clinic abortion). Check our fee page for our current fee schedule or contact us if you are unsure of your insurance coverage.
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Is this confidential?
Absolutely. We do not give out any information about you to anyone, or acknowledge that you have been to our clinic without your permission. We will only contact you in the manner in which you instruct us to. All claims to Alberta Health Care are suppressed. They will never appear on a statement or be released to anyone.
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