Who can have an abortion?
Any woman who has a positive pregnancy test and wishes to terminate the pregnancy can have an abortion.  You do not need consent from a parent or guardian or referral from a doctor.  If you are under 16 years of age, we encourage you to tell an adult for support, however, thieir consent is not needed.

What information do I need to have when I call to make an appointment?
You need to have the following information:

1. A positive pregnancy test
2. The first day of your last period or the results of an ultrasound
3. Your address, postal code, and a phone number
4. Your Alberta Healthcare number

How far along can I have an abortion?
In Alberta abortions are performed up to 20 weeks.  Please see the information on the 'Abortion Services' page.

How safe is an abortion?
Abortions are performed under the safest possible conditions.  A surgical abortion is a minor surgery with little risk involved.  According to Statistics Canada, the complication rate is only 1.3%; an abortion is about ten times safer than childbirth.

How long will I be at the clinic?
You will be at the clinic approximately 3 to 4 hours, although the procedure takes less than 10 minutes.  You can see more detailed information in the 'Abortion Services' section.

Can I still have children after abortion?
YES.  This is one of the biggest myths about abortion.  An abortion will not stop you from becoming pregnant in the future.  Woman's Health Options is a regulated medical clinic that uses every precaution to ensure that there are no complications that would interfere with future fertility.

What if I have more than one abortion? 
There is no research or statistical data to support the belief that having more than one abortion will damage or affect fertility.  Most women have abortions before the 12^th week of pregnancy and first trimester abortions are very low risk procedures.  The abortion procedure has very minimal impact to the cervix and uterus.

Is the procedure painful?
You will be given medications that will make you feel sleepy during the procedure.  You will not be put to sleep.  You will also be given a local anesthetic on your cervix to freeze the area.  You will likely feel some pressure and cramps that can be minimal to heavy.

What about confidentiality?
You will use a password when you phone the clinic and no one will be able to get information about your appointment.  All personal records and services are kept confidential.  While at the clinic only first names are used in the presence of other people.  All billing to Alberta Health Care and any out of province health care are done confidentially.  The only people that will know you have had an abortion are those people ypu choose to tell and the clinic staff.  We will not release any informatiom without your written consent.

What should I bring with me to the clinic?
You should bring:

1. Photo id
2. Your healthcare card
3. Someone to drive you home
4. An empty stomach (do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to the appointment)
5. Socks or slippers and a housecoat if you like
6. A disk player or an iPod
7. A book to read while you wait

Is there anything I should not bring with me?
You should not bring:

1. Cell phone; use is not permitted in the building
2. Anything of value
3. Small children if at all possible.  We understand that there are    circumstances that make it impossible to arrange child care, but the clinic is not set up to accommodate small children for a 3 to 4 hour wait

What about my support person?
Please do not bring more than 1 or 2 support people with you to the clinic as we have limited space in the waiting room.

Your support person will also have to show their picture id at the front door.  He or she can wait with you in the front waiting room.  When you are called by the counselor you will be asked to come by yourself for a few minutes.  Your support person can come with you in the ultrasound room, procedure room and recovery room.

When can I go back to work?  
When you are ready.  We recommend that women get back to their normal activities as soon as possible.  Most women go back to work the next day.  If you do heavy lifting at work, nothing over 50 lbs for one week; also no strenuous activity.  If you require a letter for work or school we could do so - this letter will not mention abortion or the clinic name.  If you have a desk job or sit while working please get up every hour to walk around - the more sitting and laying you do the more likely you will get cramps.

Will the abortion increase my risk of breast cancer? 
No, abortion does not increase the risk of breast cancer, this is an abortion myth.  The Canadian Cancer Society states that there is no scientific evidence that indicates an increased risk of breast cancer among women who have abortions.

Will I get depressed?
It is a myth that women who have abortions experience psychological trauma after abortion.  Women that have good supports, are confident in their decision, and believe in a woman's right to choose generally do very well emotionally post abortion. 

Sadness is not unusual in the weeks following an abortion.  Understanding that these feelings are normal and talking about them will help you.   After an abortion, some women may have mood changes, these feelings are normal.  They typically start about 4 to 6 days after an abortion and stop after two weeks, as hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels.

Some women can experience very difficult emotions post abortion and this can be due to various factors;  for example: women that are anti-choice, women coerced into having an abortion, other issues present in a woman's life that may contribute to depression.  Sometimes abortion is the last factor in a long series of events that can lead to psychological concerns.

If you have more questions please call the clinic at 780-484-1124 or email at info@whol.ca