Services

CIHC offers a variety of abortion and sexual health related services.

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Abortion is normal. Abortions are safe. Abortions change lives. Abortions are acts of compassion.

Please explore the below videos and descriptions of each abortion method to decide which is right for you. You can also get more information on your rights, as well as digital health. Here are some important factors to consider:

Which abortion method is right for me?

Which is more important to you: discomfort or privacy?

Typically, procedural abortions are less painful than medication abortions. Medication abortions are more private than surgical abortions.

If the gestational age is below 10 weeks, you can have either a procedural or medication abortion. If the gestational age is between 10-15 weeks, you are only eligible for a procedural abortion at CIHC. You do not need to have a medication abortion just because your pregnancy is under 10 weeks gestation.

What is the gestational age?

How comfortable are you in medical contexts?

All abortion appointments should expect bloodwork an an ultrasound. A procedural abortion will also experience having an IV placed, having intravenous medications administered, and being in an operation room.

A procedural abortion is a short procedure and a single-day appointment, and most people can return to their normal routines the following day. A medication abortion involves 2 doses of medication 24-48 hours apart, bleeding lasting up to 2 weeks, and follow-up bloodwork. You should also stay in Ontario for 2 weeks following a medication abortion.

What is your timeline?

If you have dependents and cannot arrange support (for example: childcare) for the first day or two of symptoms, a medication abortion might not be right for you.

Do you have dependents?

Procedural Abortion

These are 1-day procedures that are about 5- 10 minutes and involve gently emptying the uterus with suction in our procedure room. A procedural abortion is suitable for pregnancies up to 15 weeks in our clinic, and for pregnancies over 15 weeks we can direct you to another clinic for care. Most people feel well enough to do their daily routines the next day. While the procedure itself is quick, please expect to be at the clinic for at least 3-4 hours and expect an ultrasound and bloodwork. You will not be able to drive after your procedure. Please note: the appointment instructions you receive after booking an appointment contain the most up-to-date information on how to get ready before you come in.

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Medication Abortion

These resemble a miscarriage but are a multiple day process, where 2 medications are taken on 2 separate days and the uterus empties through cramping and bleeding. On average, people bleed for approximately 2 weeks. You do not need to take your first pill on the day of your appointment. You should expect your appointment to last between 3-4 hours and to involve an ultrasound and bloodwork. This type of abortion is suitable for pregnancies up to 10 weeks.

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We do not offer virtual care at this time.

 For an appointment, call us at: 416-975-9300 or book online

Here are options you can choose as part of your care. You’re the expert.

  • Our clinic routinely tests for sexually transmitted infections (STI), specifically Chlamydia and Gonorrhea for clients having an abortion. If you would like additional testing such as for blood-borne viruses (e.g. HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis) or for other STIs such as Herpes, we encourage you to visit your local sexual health clinic, a walk-in clinic, or your family doctor.  

    For folks searching for primary care who are not insured, here is a list of clinics in Toronto.

  • During an abortion appointment at CIHC, you can: 

    • Pick up low-cost birth control or a prescription to fill at any pharmacy 

    • Get your IUD or implant insertion, or depo shot 

    • Get support in purchasing birth control using a benefits plan or our access fund if needed 

    For more information about the birth control options available at CIHC, see our birth control page.

Sexual and reproductive health

  • At Choice in Health Clinic, we are dedicated to offering comprehensive support for your reproductive health, and we’re thrilled to announce that our Abortion Counselling Program has officially returned!

    We offer supportive in-person and virtual pregnancy options counselling and post-abortion counselling. We approach counselling as a collaborative, consent-based, trauma-informed, non-directive process. Non-directive means that Abortion Counselling honours how you think, feel, and relate to your own reproductive experiences, and respects that decisions about your reproductive health are yours to make.  

    Our short-term counselling services include:

    • Options Counselling to explore decision making prior to booking an abortion appointment

    • Post-abortion Counselling to support the various emotions that you may experience after an abortion

    • Early Pregnancy Loss Counselling before or after a D&C

    • You may have received your medical care from any provider, at any time in your life

    Both Options Counselling and Post-abortion Counselling can include exploring resources that may be supportive or helpful for you. There are no fees, and no OHIP card is required. To book an appointment or learn more, call us at 416-975-9300.

    You can also visit these links for support: providers and resources.

  • We know how important it is for clients to include a supportive partner, friend, family member or service provider in their abortion experience. We have created a Guide for Support People to offer resources and explain some of the expectations for their time in the clinic.

    One person can join you in the clinic. If you are having a procedural abortion and you would like to include them in the procedure room, then we will do our best to facilitate your request. This will be dependent on the care planned by the medical team and is not guaranteed, and does not include accompaniment during your assessment, ultrasound or recovery time. If your support person is caring for children at the appointment, then they will not be able to join you during the procedure.

    To minimize clinic traffic, your support person must arrive with you; and meet you after the appointment if they choose to exit.

  • To ensure culturally appropriate care for Indigenous clients, Choice in Health can facilitate smudging and other practices before a surgical abortion procedure. You can indicate at the time of booking if this applies to your care, and note that we might reach out to move your appointment time.

    While at the appointment, we can support all clients who wish to take home their pregnancy tissue, or arrange for collection by a funeral home; and we aim to accommodate any advance requests for support with spiritual, cultural and wellness practices in our space. As soon as you have booked your appointment, please contact us to share information on how we can assist you.

Emotional support