Preparing For Your Abortion
What to Expect and How to Prepare
At Pro-Choice YQL, we’re here to support you—before, during, and after your abortion. We know this decision can carry a lot of weight, and you deserve accurate information, compassionate care, and non-judgmental support every step of the way.
Whether you're considering a medical abortion or a procedural abortion, we provide personalized guidance to help you feel confident, informed, and supported in your choice.
Understanding Your Options and What to Expect
Before your abortion, you’ll meet with a healthcare provider to talk through your medical history, review your abortion options, and prepare for what’s ahead. They’ll also assess whether a medical or in-clinic abortion is safest for you, explain any potential risks, and answer your questions with care.
We also offer pre-abortion support to help you explore your feelings in a safe, confidential space. You’ll never be pressured—just supported with empathy, honesty, and the knowledge that you are not alone.
Looking for local abortion care in Southern Alberta? We can help connect you with providers and resources that suit your needs.
Preparing Physically: Taking Care of Your Body
To help your body prepare for an abortion:
Let your provider know about any medications or medical conditions
Eat well, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol or smoking if possible
Follow any fasting or medication instructions given by your clinic
Ask if supplements like iron or folic acid could support your recovery
Avoid sexual activity beforehand, if advised, to reduce infection risk
Your healthcare provider will guide you based on your personal health. Every body is different—and we’re here to help you prepare in a way that works for you.
Emotional Support: Taking Care of Your Feels
1 in 4 People Will Have an Abortion. Abortion is Normal.
Abortion is a deeply personal experience. Some people feel relief, others grief. Many feel both. However you're feeling, your emotions are valid.
At Pro-Choice YQL, we offer compassionate emotional support for wherever you’re at in your journey. Whether you’re feeling uncertain, confident, anxious, or somewhere in between, we’ve got your back.
You can also read stories from people who have had abortions here.
If you’d like post-abortion counselling or support for pregnancy loss, we can connect you with trusted, trauma-informed professionals. We also provide referrals to:
Local and online abortion therapy
Support groups and peer spaces
Self-guided resources for healing and reflection
You deserve care that sees the whole you—your body, your mind, and your heart.
You Deserve Compassionate, Informed Care
We know the barriers to accessing abortion in our region—and we’re working to make it easier. At Pro-Choice YQL, we honour your right to make decisions about your body and respect your autonomy every step of the way.
You don’t have to go through this alone. We’re here to support you—before, during, and after your abortion.
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Pain management is super important! You deserve to be as comfortable as possible during your abortion.
You don’t need to punish yourself by feeling more pain than you need to.
For both medical and procedural abortions, you can ask your provider for pain management options, as well as medicines to manage anxiety and nausea. If opting for a procedural abortion, you can ask for general anesthesia so you are not awake for the procedure.
At home, ibuprofen has been shown to be the most effective medicine. Take as directed on the bottle.
You may also want a heating pad for cramps, and comfortable clothing.
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Nope!
There is no requirement to shave before an abortion, either procedural or medical.
The decision to shave or not is entirely up to you and what will make you most comfortable.
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Wear comfortable and loose fitting clothes for either a medical or procedural abortion.
You’ll want to wear underwear that can easily accommodate a pad so you can monitor bleeding.
If you’re worried about bleeding, wear dark colours or clothes you do not mind getting blood on.
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A procedural abortion typically takes a couple hours. You will most likely have to be in a hospital or clinic for most of the day. If you are coming from out of town, you may have to do bloodwork the day before.
A medical abortion uses two medicines taken 24-48 hours apart. Most of the pregnancy tissue is passed in the 2nd day, though bleeding can last for 1-3 weeks.
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For a procedural abortion, the hospital or clinic will inform you of any fasting needs.
You do not need to fast for a medical abortion, though nausea and diarrhea are common side effects.
It is advised to avoid spicy or greasy food and alcohol as they can irritate the digestive system.
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You are not required to make any arrangements.
For medical abortions, the pregnancy tissue is not often visible to the eye and is discarded in the toilet or on a pad.
In a procedural abortion, the pregnancy tissue is discarded as per hospital or clinic guidelines.
If you want to make arrangements, your hospital or clinic can refer you to services specifically for this reason.
