The Support You Deserve: A Guide to Abortion Care in British Columbia
- Anna Schwaiger
- 15 hours ago
- 10 min read

Abortion is a deeply personal and complex issue, and each person's journey is unique. As a Social Worker and counsellor I've supported many people through this process over the years. It's very common, as 1 in 4 women decide for at least one abortion in their lifetime and 1 in 3 pregnancies end in an abortion. This also includes people who identify as trans or non-binary. In this article, I will use words like women, people or individuals when I refer to the pregnant person.
Here's an overview of the information you can find in this article. Feel free to jump right into the section you need most right now:
History and current challenges
I decided to write this guide on abortion care in BC after noticing that people go through all different kinds of challenges when seeking abortion care, like the following:
Very often, it's hard to find clear information on abortion and providers online, especially in rural areas. This creates additional stressors and barriers to safe and confidential abortion care.
There's a lot of misinformation on the process and risks of abortion out there which makes many women who seek an abortion feel anxious and insecure about it.
Being faced with an unplanned pregnancy or dealing with unforeseen medical challenges during pregnancy can feel overwhelming and isolating. I believe that everybody who goes through that deserves unconditional support and care.
The atmosphere and opinions around abortion in many countries over the world has been shifting towards more restrictions and shaming which makes it harder to access safe and compassionate abortion care.
The history of abortion is complex and spans across centuries, reflecting all different kinds of cultural, religious, and legal perspectives. In ancient times, societies such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans practiced abortion using herbal remedies and surgical methods, often without legal or moral condemnation.
"The first written references to abortion are contained in an ancient Egyptian papyrus written about 3,500 years ago" (CNN article: Abortion is ancient history. Long before Roe, women terminated pregnancies.)
During the medieval period, the Catholic Church began to have more influence, which gradually led to changes in European law towards criminalization of abortion. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw a global trend towards the strict regulation and prohibition of abortion. However, the latter half of the 20th century witnessed a significant shift with the rise of feminist movements advocating for women's reproductive rights.
Abortion laws started getting stricter again in the 2010s, with even more changes in the 2020s. A big turning point was when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, leading some countries to make their abortion laws stricter too. For example, Poland banned almost all abortions in 2021, and countries like Hungary and Russia have made it harder to access them. But not everywhere is getting stricter—some places, like Ireland, Argentina, and Colombia, have actually made abortion more legal in recent years.
Reasons for having an abortion
People seek abortions for all different kinds of reasons, each valid and deserving of understanding and respect. Some of the most common reasons include:
Health Concerns: Many women decide to terminate a pregnancy due to risks to their physical or mental health. This includes situations where the pregnancy could exacerbate existing health conditions or where continuing the pregnancy poses significant health risks.
Economic and Social Factors: Financial instability, lack of support, and concerns about providing for another child are significant factors. Many individuals feel they cannot afford the costs associated with raising a child, including healthcare, education, and general living expenses. Sometimes, a woman might decide to end a pregnancy because she doesn't want to be a single mom.
Fetal Anomalies: Some abortions are sought following a diagnosis of fetal anomalies. These diagnoses can indicate that the fetus would have a certain disability or health condition, not survive long after birth, or would suffer significantly. Very often, these were wanted pregnancies and ending them means a huge loss for the parents.
Personal Circumstances: Personal reasons and cultural influences vary widely, from not feeling ready or too young to become a parent, wanting to focus on existing children, needing to be married before having children, to having experienced traumatic events such as rape or incest. Each person's personal history and current circumstances play a crucial role in their decision-making process.
Relationship Issues: The nature of the relationship with the partner can significantly influence the decision. Factors like lack of support, abusive relationships, or simply not wanting to have a child with a particular partner can contribute to the decision to seek an abortion.

The Decision-Making Process
The decision-making process of keeping or ending a pregnancy is a very personal one. Sometimes, women know immediately and intuitively if it's a wanted pregnancy or not. Sometimes, people come to a decision but they only feel 60% certain that it's the right choice for them (and that's as certain as it gets for them). Other people might know exactly what they need to do but they feel overwhelmed by emotions like fear or shame. Sometimes, women feel emotionally that they might want to keep a pregnancy, but logically they know that they are not in a stable or safe enough situation to have (more) children. Whatever the situation, the decision-making process is deeply introspective and often involves significant emotional and psychological work.
If you recently found out about an unplanned pregnancy and are debating weather to keep it or not, here's some information that might help:
First of all, learning about an unplanned pregnancy can feel like you've been hit by a truck. There might be feelings of overwhelm, confusion, fear, anger, shame, regret or all of those emotions at once. Acknowledge that you're going through something very challenging right now and that you deserve care and support. Sometimes, we as women tend to be hard on ourselves while we have a lot of understanding for other people. Try to be gentle and compassionate with yourself.
Surround yourself with save people who you can reflect on your current situation without fear of judgment. Maybe there's a friend who had an abortion before, maybe you can talk with your partner or your mom. If there's nobody in your environment who feels like a good support, you can always reach out for free and confidential counselling support here to connect with a counsellor specialized in pregnancy options counselling:
Contact: 1-888-875-3163 (toll-free), or 604-875-3163
Email: pos@cw.bc.ca
1-800-739-7367 throughout BC* or 604-731-7803 or online
604-322-6692 (9:30 am – 4 pm) or online
If you're torn and not sure about your decision, start gathering information on your options, either keeping the pregnancy and parenting yourself or with the help of other people, following through with the pregnancy and giving it up for adoption or having an abortion. The guide "So now what? Decision-making and unintended pregnancy" is a wonderful reflection resource that can help you in finding more clarity about your decision.
Reflection questions to ask yourself: What would I tell a really good friend right now who's going through the same? What do I need right now? (Time to reflect, resting, information, conversations, being outside in nature...) What would my life look like in one year from now if I keep the pregnancy/ have an abortion/ decide for adoption? What would I need to be able to cope with the consequences?
The Abortion Process
When it comes to terminating a pregnancy, there are two primary methods: medication abortion and aspiration abortion, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Both methods are safe and effective (risk for complications is less than 1%), with the choice often depending on personal preference, medical history, and the specific circumstances of the pregnancy.
"According to the best medical evidence available, abortion is safer than getting a dental procedure or cosmetic surgery, and much safer than childbirth. According to that evidence, in the United States, a woman is about 15 to 25 times more likely to die in childbirth than she is during an abortion." NAF - National Abortion Federation
Medication Abortion
The abortion medication is called Mifegymiso and involves two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy. Patients can decide between an in-person or a phone appointment with the clinic of their choice. For phone appointments, it might be necessary to do an ultrasound beforehand. The clinic appointment usually takes 1-2 hours and starts with a conversation with the counsellor who will explain the abortion process, how to take the medication, possible birth control options and give space for questions, reflections and emotions. After seeing the doctor for an ultrasound the patient can pick up the Mifegymiso from the pharmacy.
The process begins with mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone necessary for pregnancy to continue. This is followed by misoprostol, taken 24-48 hours later, which induces contractions to expel the pregnancy tissue. The pregnancy usually passes within 24 hours. During this time, bleeding and cramping that's heavier than a period is normal. Possible side effects include flu like symptoms like nausea or fever. Patients are usually provided painkillers like Tylenol 3. After the pregnancy has passed, the bleeding might still continue for 1-3 weeks.
Pros: Medication abortion allows the individual to undergo the process in the privacy of their home, mimicking a natural miscarriage. It is less invasive than surgical options and doesn't require anesthesia. It's a convenient option for people in rural areas who don't have abortion providers close by.
Cons: Medication abortion can only be performed early in pregnancy, up to about 10 weeks. It can involve more prolonged bleeding and painful cramping, and there's a possibility of incomplete abortion, necessitating further medical intervention. The process can be emotionally challenging due to the extended nature of the procedure.
Aspiration Abortion
Also known as vacuum aspiration or surgical abortion, this method is a surgical procedure typically used up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. It involves dilating the cervix and using suction to remove the pregnancy tissue from the uterus. Up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, the appointment at the clinic takes about 3 hours. After 14 weeks of pregnancy, two separate appointments are needed, each about 3 hours. The first day is needed to prepare the body for the abortion and the second day is the actual procedure day.
The appointment in the clinic usually starts with a conversation with the counsellor who will explain the procedure, recovery, possible birth control options and give space for questions, reflections and emotions. There are two options for sedation during the procedure - conscious sedation (more common) or general anesthesia. The doctor will gently dilate the cervix and then remove the pregnancy with a suction device. The procedure only takes a couple of minutes. Most patients have a easy recovery with some bleeding or cramping for a couple of days up to 2 weeks, or no bleeding at all.
Pros: Aspiration abortion is a quick procedure which only takes a couple of minutes, with a high success rate and minimal need for follow-up. It involves pain management, less bleeding compared to medication abortion and provides immediate completion of the process.
Cons: It is more invasive, requiring a clinical setting, and involves anesthesia or sedation, which carries additional risks. The procedure may also feel more impersonal and clinical, which can be emotionally challenging for some individuals.

Abortion care and clinics in Vancouver and BC
Vancouver
BC Women's hospital CARE program - Aspiration abortion (up to 24th week)
Willow Clinic - Medication abortion (up to 9th week). Telehealth appointments available for patients who live more than three hours away from Vancouver.
Everywoman's health centre - Aspiration abortion (up to 13th week)
Other areas in BC
If you live in rural areas in BC it might be hard to find information on abortion care providers close by. Here are some links and contacts to get you started:
Contact: 1-888-875-3163 (toll-free), or 604-875-3163
Email: pos@cw.bc.ca
Pregnancy Options Services (POS) is a province-wide toll-free confidential counselling, information and referral service. POS can also help people with referrals for safe abortion options over 24 weeks of pregnancy.
1-800-739-7367 throughout BC* or 604-731-7803
Sex sense has a list of abortion clinics in BC on their website. If a clinic is not listed in your area, Sex Sense may know of abortion providers near you. They maintain a list of local providers in over 35 communities in BC and the Yukon.
Choice Connect helps you find your nearest abortion provider based on your needs. The app features detailed referral information for more than 150 abortion providers and clinics across Canada. The web app is anonymous and free to use.
Cost
Abortion services are funded by MSP. For patients without MSP coverage, the cost for a procedural abortion begins at $700, depending on the gestational age, and approximately $1000 for a medication abortion. If financial assistance is required for the procedure, travel, or accommodation, please reach out to Abortion Care Canada.
Healing and Moving Forward
After the abortion, the healing process begins, which is both physical and emotional:
Physical Recovery: Be sure to ask all your questions to your abortion care provider about recovery, after care and what to expect post-abortion. This includes understanding symptoms, potential complications, and when to seek medical help. Most people have an easy recovery after an abortion. It is recommended to take it easy for a couple of days without heavy lifting. To reduce risk of infection, your health care provider might give you antibiotics or ask you to not insert anything into your vagina for a certain amount of time.
Emotional Support: Emotional responses can be immediate or delayed, and they can range from relief to regret. Some abortion care providers offer post abortion counselling options. Counselling offers a space to process these emotions and work through any feelings of loss, guilt, or sadness.
Self-Compassion and Self-Care: Give yourself permission to rest, both physically and emotionally. Be gentle with yourself, and avoid self-criticism or judgment about how you “should” feel. Engage in activities that bring you comfort and calm - such as taking walks, journaling, connecting with trusted people, or simply allowing yourself quiet time. Nurturing your body and mind supports healing on every level. If you notice being hard on yourself, ask yourself "What would I tell a good friend who is going through the same right now?"
Support Groups and Resources: Connecting with support groups or other resources can be beneficial. Knowing that you are not alone and hearing others' experiences can provide comfort and perspective.
Future Contraceptive Planning: Discuss your future contraceptive options to help prevent unintended pregnancies and feel more in control of your reproductive health moving forward. This can be an important part of your post-abortion care and help you make choices that align with your needs and goals. Here are some websites that might be help you find the best birth control option for you:
No matter where you are in your journey, remember that you don’t have to go through it alone. Abortion is a deeply personal experience, and there is no “right” way to feel afterward. Give yourself permission to heal in your own time and in your own way. Reach out for support when you need it and surround yourself with people and activities that make you feel grounded and cared for.
If you’re looking for a safe and compassionate space to talk about your experience, I’m here to support you. In my counselling practice, I work with women navigating reproductive choices, grief, and self-compassion after abortion. Together, we can explore your emotions, build coping strategies, and help you reconnect with your sense of strength and peace.
Most importantly, remind yourself that choosing what’s right for you is an act of strength and self-respect. You deserve compassion, understanding, and care - from others and from yourself.