If you have had unprotected sex (e.g., no contraception was used) or inadequately protected sex (e.g., the condom broke or you forgot more than one tablet of your usual contraceptive), you can use the emergency contraceptive pill, also known as the morning-after pill, up to 5 days later.
If you have a positive pregnancy test result, you may be experiencing many emotions, and this is normal.
You may feel astonishment, happiness, anxiety, anger, sadness, guilt, irritability, loneliness, etc.
Whatever emotions are felt, they are all valid and normal. Everyone reacts differently and experiences the news of a pregnancy in their own way.
continue your pregnancy with the aim of keeping your unborn child;
continue your pregnancy with a view to adoption; or
terminate your pregnancy.
The Centres de santé des femmes du Québec offer tools (in French) in the form of exercises and a guide that can help you.
Expressing your thoughts
Where am I now?
Things to think about when making a decision
Expression
libre
Où j’en suis
présentement?
Facteurs à considérer
dans la prise de décision
Expression
libre
Expression
libre
Où j’en suis
présentement?
Facteurs à considérer
dans la prise de décision
Où j’en suis
présentement?
Facteurs à considérer
dans la prise de décision
Medical termination of pregnancy (abortion pill); and
Surgical termination of pregnancy (in-clinic).
Both are free upon presentation of your Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) card, if you are foreign student, if you have private insurance or if you are registered in a refugee support program.
If you don’t have coverage through any of these types of insurance, you can cover the costs yourself. They can range from $200 to $1300, depending on the stage of pregnancy. You can also contact the following organisations to discuss the possibility of financial assistance:
Fédération du Québec pour le planning des naissances | 514 866-3721
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights | 1 888 642-2725
Once you’ve decided to terminate your pregnancy, you can contact a nurse near you with whom you will have a first appointment (see the list below). This person is bound by professional secrecy. You have the right to confidentiality throughout the process on the part of all the professionals involved.
The nurses in Gaspésie and on the Magdalen Islands are trained to make an initial assessment and provide information on the options available to you. If you attend school, remember that you can always talk to the school nurse.
At the first meeting, you can also see a social worker if you feel you need one.
The nurse will plan the ultrasound which will take place during the second appointment. This ultrasound will tell you how far along you are in the pregnancy so that you can be better guided towards the appropriate type(s) of termination.
Contact a nurse or a midwife near you
Magdalen Islands: 418-986-2121
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts: 418-763-7771, ext. 2709
Mont-Louis: 418-797-2744 (for the CLSC, select 11-2-1)
Gaspé: 418-368-1716
Chandler: 418-689-2261, ext. 2240
Paspébiac: 418-752-2572, ext. 1033
Caplan: 418-388-2572, ext. 1347
Gesgapegiag Health and Community Services: 418-759-3431
CLSC de Saint-Omer: 418-364-7064, ext. 1400
Pointe-à-la-Croix: 418-788-5454
Matapédia: 418-865-2221
Medical termination of pregnancy offered by midwives in Baie-des-Chaleurs:
1-877-388-7243 or click here
Efficiency rate of over 95%.
It should be performed early in pregnancy (up to 9 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period). It allows you to avoid surgical interruption of the pregnancy.
The abortion is induced by taking two drugs: mifepristone, which stops the pregnancy, and misoprostol, which expels the contents of the uterus.
A complete abortion can take a few days. You can therefore choose when to take the medication according to your schedule. Normally, expulsion of the uterine contents occurs between 30 minutes and 48 hours after you have taken misoprostol.
The pain consists of moderate to severe cramps during expulsion. A painkiller may be prescribed by the doctor beforehand to help manage the pain.
Bleeding is heavier than during menstruation and lasts on average 10-16 days.
This method allows you to have a support person with you during the process, if you wish.
This method may require more than two consultations.
Medical interruption is free with the RAMQ card.
Efficiency rate of over 99%.
It can be performed up to 12 weeks and 6 days of the pregnancy at the Gaspé Hospital and up to 16 weeks at the Islands Hospital on the Magdalen Islands.
The procedure involves dilation, aspiration and curettage.
The procedure is quick, lasting about 10 to 15 minutes.
Pain is managed by intravenous medication. The dose can be adjusted as needed during the procedure.
There is little bleeding.
The person accompanying you cannot be present during the procedure, but can wait in the waiting room. Someone must take you home after the interruption.
This method usually requires one or two consultations.
Surgical termination is free with the RAMQ card.
Source: Brochure from the Montreal Women’s Health Center
If you travel more than 200 km from your place of residence to have a pregnancy terminated, you can receive a set amount to pay for part of the travel costs. If you need someone to accompany you, a health professional (doctor, social worker or nurse) can indicate this on the claim form so that you can receive financial compensation.
If you are considering the possibility of continuing your pregnancy and giving the child up for adoption, you can consult one of the SOS Grossesse sites for more information.
Find a trained support worker
Haute-Côte-Nord
L’Alliance des femmes de Sacré-Coeur
108 Rue Principale N, Sacré-Coeur-Saguenay QC G0T 1Y0
Phone: (418) 236-9132
Centre de femmes de Forestville
13 rte 138 E, Forestville QC G0T 1E0
Phone: (418) 587-4204
Manicouagan
Centre de femmes l’Étincelle
Maison de la famille de Manicouagan
985 Boulevard Jolliet, Baie-Comeau QC G5C 1P7
mdfbc.org
perinatalite@mdfbc.org
Phone: (418) 589-2117
Sept-Rivières
À la source Sept-Îles et Port-Cartier
469 Avenue de Quen, Sept-Îles QC G4R 2R1
www.soutienalasource.com
info@soutienalasource.com
Phone: (418) 968-2436
Centre de femmes au 4 vents
Sept-Îles
831 Boulevard Laure, Sept-Îles QC G4R 1Y6
femmes4vents.ca
info@femmes4vents.com
Phone: (418) 968-2925
Doula Support – Private Service
Doulas are people who provide presence and support. Many doulas offer support during abortion care and can provide information and support throughout every step of the process.
You can search the directory of the Quebec Doula Association for a doula who is specifically trained in abortion support.
