FAQs


Q: Do I need a doctor’s referral to book an appointment?
No- You do not need a doctor’s referral to make an appointment for any of our services. Appointments can be made by patients themselves or by the referring doctor’s office.


Q: How many days in advance can I make an appointment?
We do not always require advance notice for bookings and can even sometimes accommodate same day appointments please call.


Q: If I am under 18 years of age, do I need parental/guardian consent to end my pregnancy?
No – You do not need parental/guardian consent to end your pregnancy in Ontario.


Q: Will anyone find out that I ended my pregnancy?
Your visit to the Clinic is strictly confidential. It is completely your decision who you tell about your situation, including your partner, parents, or family doctor. We will not disclose any information about your visit to anyone without your written consent.


Q: Will ending my pregnancy affect my ability to have children in the future?
There is no evidence that medically ending your pregnancy will have any effect on future fertility or any other aspect of your general health.

Please remember that it is very important to always use contraception and practice safe sex.


Q: What do I need to do before I take the medication?

Your nurse or doctor will let you know if there’s anything else you need to do in preparation for ending your pregnancy. They’ll give you written instructions on how to take your pills, and you’ll have access to a caring professional throughout the process. You can call us 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns.

There will be a lot of bleeding and cramping after taking the second medicine at home. So plan ahead in order to make the process more comfortable. Choose a time when you’ll have some privacy and can rest for a while, and have someone you trust with you (or nearby) that you can call for support should you need anything.

Stock up on maxi pads, food, books or movies to help pass the time, and have a heating pad nearby for cramps. Make sure you have some pain medication — but don’t take aspirin because it can make you bleed more.


Q: How does the medication work?
A medical pregnancy termination is induced by medications rather than surgery. It is available to women who are less than 9 weeks pregnant.

Please see questions below for what happens while taking the medication and how it feels


Q: Why choose our Clinic?

– We are owned and operated by the renowned Mississauga Women’s Clinic.
– We have been serving women since 2002 and have an uncontested reputation.
– Our Medical Director holds over 25 years of experience.
– Our Director of Nursing holds over 24 years of experience.
– Our staff is experienced, professional, caring, and non-judgemental.
– We continuously receive positive patient feedback.
– Most of our patients are referred to us by friends and family doctors.
– If you prefer a surgical procedure we can serve you at our Mississauga office.


Q: What are the differences between medical and surgical approaches to ending your pregnancy in terms of advantages and disadvantages? 

Both procedures are highly effective and safe. Medical terminations allow women to avoid surgery but typically involve more pain and bleeding. While surgical procedures are completed in less time, medical terminations can take a number of days to complete. In contrast to surgical procedures, however, a medical termination of pregnancy also permits a partner or support person to be present during the latter part of the process when patients take their follow up medication. Gestational age limits for medical procedures are 9 weeks (63 days), while age limits for surgical procedures are 16 weeks (112 days).

Q: What happens during the medical termination of a pregnancy?

The medication process has several steps that start when you take the first pill.

First, you take a pill called mifepristone. Pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to grow normally. Mifepristone blocks your body’s own progesterone. Some people feel nauseous or start bleeding after taking mifepristone, but it’s not common at this stage.

Your doctor or nurse will give you a prescription for an antibiotic to take if the results of your tests for chlamydia or gonorrhoea are positive.

Your doctor or nurse will also give you a medicine called misoprostol. You’ll take the misoprostol 24-48 hours after you take the first pill — your doctor or nurse will let you know how and when to do it. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding which empties the uterus.

For most people, the cramping and bleeding usually start 1-4 hours after taking the misoprostol. It’s normal to see large blood clots (up to the size of a lemon) or clumps of tissue. It’s much like having a very heavy or crampy period, and the process is very similar to an early miscarriage.

The cramping and bleeding can last for several hours. Most people finish passing the pregnancy tissue in 4-5 hours, but it may take longer. The cramping and bleeding slow down after the pregnancy tissue comes out. You may have cramping on and off for about 1 or 2 more days.

You can take pain medicine like ibuprofen about 30 minutes before you take the misoprostol so as to help with cramps. You can also take anti-nausea medicine. Don’t take aspirin, because it can make you bleed more.

It’s normal to have some bleeding and spotting for several weeks after your procedure. You can use pads, tampons, or a menstrual cup — whatever’s most comfortable for you. But your nurse or doctor may recommend you use pads for a few days afterwards so you can track how much you’re bleeding.

The last step is a follow-up visit in 14 to 21 days after the first clinic visit. For the follow-up, you’ll have an ultrasound. This will make sure your termination is complete and that you are well.

In the unlikely case that the procedure doesn’t empty your uterus, you’ll have the options of another dose of medication (misoprostol), watchful waiting (with follow-up visit in another 2 weeks), or having a surgical procedure to complete the process.

If you’re still pregnant, your doctor or nurse will discuss a surgical procedure to end the pregnancy.

Q: Why do I need testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea at the time of a medical termination of pregnancy?

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infections in Canada, and most women don’t know they have either, since they usually don’t cause any symptoms. If you have bacteriuria in your vagina or cervix during a medical termination of pregnancy, it can travel up higher into your pelvis, causing serious immediate health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (severe infection) and future health problems, such as infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

Q: How does a medical termination of pregnancy feel?

For most people, medical termination feels like having an early miscarriage. You might have:

  • lots of cramping and aches in your belly

  • very heavy bleeding with large clots

  • an upset stomach and vomiting (Your doctor or nurse may give you medicine to help with nausea)

  • diarrhoea

  • dizziness

  • tiredness

  • mild fever (99-100° F) or chills on the day you take the misoprostol (if you have a fever after the day you take the misoprostol pills, call your doctor or health centre right away)

To help ease pain and make you more comfortable, you can:

  • take pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Don’t take aspirin because it can make your bleeding worse

  • put a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly

  • take a shower

  • sit on the toilet

  • have someone rub your back