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
Translations
Information on Surgical Abortions for Non-English Speaking Women.
The following information is provided in the languages listed below:
- Booking and Confirming your appointment.
- Information about the procedure.
- Consent for Abortion
- Aftercare
Please note that this information is for surgical abortion only. To further assist non-English speaking women, the clinic can arrange for an interpreter on the day of the procedure. The request for an interpreter must be made at the time of the appointment. This service is free.
To access the above forms, click on the language of your choice for the complete package.
Surgical Abortion
Before the abortion procedure, it is important to know the duration of your pregnancy. This is measured by the number of weeks from the first day of your last normal menstrual period. The duration of your pregnancy will be confirmed at our clinic by an ultrasound and pelvic examination. We strongly urge women traveling from outside the Calgary area to get an ultrasound before coming to the clinic. If you fail to provide one, we cannot guarantee we will be able to do the procedure at your appointment time, and you may be forced to rebook at a later date.
After the doctor completes the assessment, he/she will insert a speculum into the vagina to hold the vaginal walls apart so that the cervix (opening to the uterus) can be seen. The cervix is then numbed with anaesthetic, similar to the way a dentist freezes gums.
During the procedure you may experience menstrual-type cramps. These cramps are caused by the uterine muscles contracting. However, before the procedure begins, medication will be administered to control the cramps, as well as a sedative to help you relax. You will not be asleep, but you will be very drowsy.
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Vacuum Aspiration
5 to 14 weeks — If the pregnancy is 5 to 14 weeks, the doctor gently opens the cervical canal by inserting and removing tapered rods of increasing diameter. Once the cervix is opened appropriately, the doctor inserts a hollow tube (cannula) which is attached to a vacuum aspirator. This machine provides a very gentle suction that will clean out the contents of the uterus including the fetus and placenta. The doctor then uses a spoon shaped instrument (curette) to check the walls of the uterus for any tissue that may remain. The procedure will last about 5 to 10 minutes.
14 to 15 weeks — If your pregnancy is 14 weeks to 15 weeks 3 days, you will first be given a medication before the procedure called Misoprostol. Misoprostol softens the cervix and makes dilation easier. You will have to remain in the clinic for 3 hours after the administration of Misoprostol before the procedure is completed as above.
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Dilation and Evacuation
15 to 19 weeks — If you are over 15 weeks 3 days, the cervix needs to be opened by inserting 3 to 4 laminaria (osmotic dilators) the day before the abortion. These absorb moisture and expand, gently opening the cervix. They are left in overnight. You will also be given Misoprostol tablets to take 2 hours before the procedure to aid in softening and dilating the cervix. The next morning you will return to the clinic. The physician will remove the laminaria and complete the procedure. On the second day, the procedure will take 10 to 30 minutes.
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After Care
Following your abortion, our staff will instruct you on your aftercare. We will also provide you with detailed written information, and a phone number you can use to call one of our nurses outside clinic hours if you think you are experiencing problems.
After the procedure, we recommend that you refrain from strenuous activity for 24 hours. You may experience some bleeding and cramping over the next two weeks and this is normal. The nurses will show you a uterine massage technique that will help to relieve cramping. If you have any concerns or are experiencing any difficulties you may return to the clinic for a follow-up examination. Please call the clinic for an appointment.
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Risks of Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion is one of the most common surgical procedures in Canada. The rate of complications is less than 2% and most complications are minor and easily treated. If compared to pregnancy and childbirth, abortion is much safer. However, like any surgical procedure there are risks you should be aware of.
- Infection in the uterus occurs in 1 to 2% of abortion procedures.
- Retained tissue (some pregnancy tissue is left in the uterus). This occurs in 0.5 to 1% of all abortions. Sometimes the uterus is able to expel the tissue and occasionally a second vacuum aspiration is necessary.
- Continued pregnancy or failed abortion. This is rare and more likely if the uterus has an unusual shape or if the pregnancy is not in the uterus. You may have to return for another visit or be referred to another physician. With a normal pregnancy in a normal uterus, there is about a 1 in 1,000 chance of this occurring.
- Post-abortion hematometra. This is a condition where blood builds up more quickly than it can come out resulting in an enlarged and painful uterus. It is unpleasant but is not dangerous, and is treated by repeating the suction procedure. This condition occurs in about 1 in every 1,000 procedures.
- Hemorrhage or excessive bleeding. Occurs in about 1 in every 1,000 procedures. It is sometimes caused by failure of the uterus to contract or by retained tissue. If heavy bleeding cannot be controlled in the clinic, transfer to hospital would be required.
- Injury to the uterus or other internal organs occurs less than 1 in 1,000 procedures. Transfer to a hospital and surgery to repair the injury may be required. Removal of the uterus is required in approximately 1 in 10,000 procedures.
- Allergic reaction to any of the medications given to you, or to latex or other materials in the clinic. Most reactions can be treated in the clinic. A very severe reaction would require transfer to a hospital.
- The risk of death related to surgical abortion is about 1 in 1,000,000. Most deaths are related to general anaesthesia or other medical circumstances.
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