A medical abortion is a type of abortion done by taking two medications: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks a hormone called “progesterone”, which is needed for a pregnancy to continue. Misoprostol causes your body to pass the pregnancy tissue, like a period.

• Medical abortions in Saskatchewan are free if you have a valid Saskatchewan Health Card. If you do not have a valid Saskatchewan Health Card and/or are from out-of-province, you may have to pay the cost of the abortion upfront – about $360.
• If you have to travel for your abortion, you will have to pay for travel, gas, food, and/or childcare during your appointment(s). Saskatchewan Health Authority does not cover travel or accommodation expenses, but SASN can help.

No. Plan B can prevent pregnancy but cannot end a pregnancy.

Medical abortions can be done up to 9 weeks into pregnancy (63 days, starting from the first day of your last period).

• Mifepristone is 99% effective up to 7 weeks of pregnancy, and 95% effective between 7-9 weeks of pregnancy.
• If your medical abortion is not effective, you will need to schedule a surgical abortion.

Yes, you can continue breastfeeding.

• At your first appointment, your provider will arrange an ultrasound to check how far along your pregnancy is. You will also do blood tests to check if you have anemia, what your blood type is, and if you have any sexually transmitted infections. Your provider will help you explore your pregnancy options: pregnancy, adoption, and abortion. They will also talk to you about your health history and your plans for contraception (ways to prevent pregnancy) in the future. You may get a physical exam, such as a pap test. Depending on your health, you may need to see a specialist. You can also see a counselor if you would like to.
• Once your medical provider has made sure that you are less than 9 weeks pregnant, that you would like a medical abortion, and that you have no health issues that would prevent you from getting a medical abortion, they will provide the prescription, which may be sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice.
• Not all pharmacies in Saskatchewan stock Mifegymiso; if you need help locating a pharmacy, you can contact Saskatoon Sexual Health or SASN.

• Medical abortions usually happen at home. You may have the option to take the first pill at the clinic.
• You will take Mifepristone orally: it is a pill that you swallow. In some rare cases, the pregnancy is passed after taking Mifepristone.
• After 24-48 hours, you will take Misoprostol, which is a medication that dissolves in your cheeks. Misoprostol will cause your body to pass the pregnancy tissue, like a heavy period or miscarriage. This will usually happen within 30 minutes to 4 hours after taking Misoprostol.
• You will need a follow-up appointment with your medical provider 2-7 days after the abortion. You will get lab work done (blood and urine tests), which will let your provider check that the abortion is complete.

• After your abortion, you can expect to have cramping for the first two weeks, although they can continue for up to six weeks. If you have cramps, you can try drinking warm liquids, using heating pads, walking around, changing positions often, bringing your knees to your chest with your hips pointing up, or taking one to two ibuprofen tablets every four hours.
• You will experience bleeding for the first couple of weeks. This bleeding can sometimes be prolonged and heavy, with large clots. You may also experience spotting for up to four weeks.
• It is important to use contraception after an abortion: you can get pregnant as early as seven days after an abortion, even before you have your first period.

• After the abortion, you should call a doctor or go to the hospital if:
  • You have severe bleeding:
    • Passing clots bigger than a golf ball for two or more hours
    • Soaking more than two large sanitary pads in an hour, for two hours in a row
    • Bleeding heavily for twelve hours in a row
  • You have signs of infection, such as a fever, headache, muscle aches, dizziness, or a general feeling of illness.
  • You have a severe pain in the belly that is not relieved by pain medicine, rest, or heat
  • You have hot flushes or a fever of 38C (100.4F) or higher that lasts longer than four hours
  • You have vomited for more than 4-6 hours
  • You experience sudden belly swelling or rapid heart rate
  • You have increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal discharge that smells bad
  • You have pain, swelling, or redness in your genitals.
• If you cannot get a hold of your medical provider, go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital.
• Call your medical provider if you have:
  • No bleeding
  • Heavy bleeding (not spotting) for longer than two weeks
  • New, unexplained symptoms that may be caused by the abortion medications
  • No menstrual period within 8 weeks after the abortion
  • Signs and symptoms such as constant sadness, feelings of worthlessness, lack of interest in usual activities, or changes in sleep patterns. Hormonal changes that occur after a pregnancy can cause depression.

• Mifepristone can cause mild side effects, lasting 1-2 days. These include nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or headaches.
• Misoprostol can cause mild side effects lasting 2-3 days. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and dizziness.

Once you take Mifepristone, you will need to continue the abortion, as there is a risk of birth defects if the pregnancy continues.

• Medical abortions can take as long as five weeks to be complete.
• If the medical abortion fails (around 5% of the time), you must have a surgical abortion to prevent complications or development of a fetus with abnormalities.