People who are pregnant have the right to decide whether they wish to continue with their pregnancy. Public health can help ensure pregnant people make the best possible decision regarding their pregnancy, with non-judgmental information on all options. A public health nurse can explain options available to respond to a pregnancy. These include parenting, adoption or abortion (pregnancy termination).
Continuing with the pregnancy
If a pregnant person chooses to continue the pregnancy, there are two options: parenting or adoption. Regardless of this choice, if the decision is to continue the pregnancy, it is important to connect with a healthcare provider for the health of the pregnancy.
Parenting
Public health has programs available to support people through pregnancy and after the baby is born.
Adoption
Information about the process of adoption can be found on Ontario’s provincial website .
Connect with a healthcare provider
Call your primary healthcare provider or go to your campus health centre to determine the appropriate prenatal care provider.
Obstetrician
Typically, an obstetrician starts care at approximately 20 weeks. A healthcare provider referral is required. If you do not have a healthcare provider, a public health nurse can provide a referral to a local obstetrician for prenatal care throughout the entire pregnancy.
Midwifery
Midwives provide care throughout the entire pregnancy and through six weeks postpartum. Midwives accept self-referrals.
Primary care
Nurse practitioners and family doctors can provide prenatal care and referral to an obstetrician . Some primary healthcare providers can provide care throughout the entire pregnancy, including delivery.
Abortion (pregnancy termination)
There are options to end a pregnancy. The type of abortion available depends on how many weeks in the pregnancy. Healthcare providers determine weeks in the pregnancy by counting from the first day of the last menstrual period as a guide, and confirm this by ultrasound. There are two options for abortion, a medical abortion and a surgical abortion.
For a medical abortion, medication is taken by mouth. In 95-98% of cases, the medication will end a pregnancy when taken in the first 63 days or 9 weeks of pregnancy (counting from the first day of the last period).
Most people have coverage for a medical abortion if they have medical insurance or are covered by OHIP (i.e. have an Ontario Health Card). For people without coverage, the medication will cost $350-400. This does not include the cost of required blood work and ultrasound.
There are options for medical abortion in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. The other option is a surgical abortion. The cost of a surgical abortion varies across clinics and hospitals For people without coverage, the procedure will cost at least $1,000 and possibly more. Surgical abortions are available outside of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.
Self-referral: Many clinics listed below allow self-referral.
Provider referral: A public health nurse can provide local options that require healthcare provider referral. Local options are available through a public health nurse referral.
Abortion clinics
Lakeside Clinic
76 Stuart St., Kingston
613-548-2329
Medical abortion
up to 9 weeks gestation.
Surgical abortion
up to 12 weeks gestation.
Self-referral
If a patient does not have a family doctor or cannot get a timely appointment with a healthcare provider, they can contact the clinic directly.
Women’s Healthcare Centre
1 Hospital Dr., Peterborough
705-743-4132 | 1-800-419-3111
Surgical and medical abortions available.
Self-referral
Self-referrals accepted to the unplanned pregnancy clinic.
Toronto
727 Hillside Ave., Toronto
416-932-0446
Medical abortion
Up to 10 weeks gestation.
Surgical abortion
Up to 19 weeks gestation.
Self-referral
Client contacts the clinic directly.
Durham Women’s Care Clinic
1290 Keith Ross Dr., Oshawa
905-721-2547
Medical abortion
Up to 9 weeks gestation.
Self-referral
Client contacts the clinic directly.
Toronto
302 Gerard St. E, Toronto
416-323-0642
Medical abortion
Up to 10 weeks gestation.
Surgical abortion
Up 24 weeks gestation.
Self-referral
Client contacts clinic and books an appointment. Often has same day, next day availability.
Toronto
1678 Bloor St. W, Toronto
647-370-3203
Medical abortion
Up to 10 weeks gestation for in person and virtual.
Surgical abortion
Up to 15 weeks gestation.
Self-referral
All services are self-referral and appointments can be booked by phone or online.
Toronto
36 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto
416-961-0113
Medical abortion
Not provided onsite but can help Ontario residents ages 13-29 without OHIP (i.e. without an Ontario Health Card) or other private insurance find a clinic and cover the cost.
Self-referral
Client calls the clinic to speak with a peer counsellor who may be able to help cover the cost of the abortion and find the closest clinic.
Women’s College Hospital
76 Grenville St., Toronto
416-351-3700
Medical abortion
Up to 10 weeks gestation.
Surgical abortion
Up to 24 weeks gestation.
Self-referral
Accepts self-referrals for first trimester abortions. Healthcare provider referral required for second trimester abortions.
Other resources
- For information about Emergency contraception and low-cost birth control visit the Sexual Health Clinic page.
- For information about pregnancy and Public Health programs and services, visit the Pregnancy page.
