Accessing Abortion Pills In New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, the abortion pill Mifegymiso is available for free to women with a valid Medicare card, making it the first province to provide universal access. Mifegymiso, also known as RU-486, is a two-step drug that costs around $300 and is approved for the medical termination of a pregnancy up to 49 days. While it can be obtained without a doctor's referral, it requires a prescription from a doctor who has completed the necessary training. To be eligible for Mifegymiso, an ultrasound is required to confirm the gestational age, which must not exceed 49 days. The drug can be obtained from select family planning clinics and hospitals, including the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst, Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre, and Moncton Hospital.

Where to get the abortion pill

The abortion pill, Mifegymiso (also known as RU-486), is available for free to women with a valid medicare card in New Brunswick. It can be prescribed to terminate a pregnancy up to nine weeks.

The abortion pill can only be obtained by a doctor's prescription, and only a limited number of doctors and pharmacists in New Brunswick have completed the training required to prescribe and dispense it.

The following health centres and clinics offer medication abortions:

• Saint John Sexual Health Centre: 506-658-3998
• Fredericton Northside Community Health Centre: 506-447-4444
• Fredericton Downtown Community Health Centre: 506-452-5900
• Moncton Family Planning Clinic: 1-844-806-9205
• Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre (Moncton): 506-869-2770
• Bathurst Family Planning Clinic, Chaleur Regional Hospital (Bathurst): 506-544-4150

Who can prescribe the abortion pill

In New Brunswick, the abortion pill, Mifegymiso, can be prescribed by doctors and nurse practitioners. However, they must have completed a training course and be registered with the manufacturer. As of 2017, only 24 doctors and pharmacists in New Brunswick had completed or registered for the training.

The abortion pill can be obtained for free by women with a valid New Brunswick Medicare card. It is also available at family planning clinics in three hospitals: Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst, Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre, and Moncton Hospital.

The abortion pill is a two-step treatment that can be taken up to 49 days into a pregnancy. It is a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, which work together to terminate the pregnancy and expel the contents of the uterus.

It is important to note that New Brunswick has a history of limited access to abortion services, and there may be wait times or other barriers to accessing the abortion pill. Additionally, there are other factors to consider, such as the need for an ultrasound to confirm the gestational age of the fetus and the possibility of needing a follow-up surgical procedure if the pregnancy is not successfully terminated.

Cost of the abortion pill

The cost of the abortion pill, Mifegymiso, in New Brunswick is covered under provincial health care and is available free of charge to women with a valid medicare card. This makes New Brunswick the first province in Canada to provide universal access to the abortion pill.

The abortion pill was approved for use in Canada in July 2015 and became available on the market in January 2016 at a cost of around $300 to $450 for the two-step treatment. This price tag made the drug unaffordable for many. However, with the announcement by the New Brunswick government in 2017, financial barriers to accessing the abortion pill were removed for those covered by provincial health care.

The average cost of a medication abortion at Planned Parenthood health centres in other states is around $580, with the total cost of a medication abortion reaching up to around $800. The cost of the abortion pill can vary depending on the state or health centre and whether an individual has health insurance coverage. Some government health insurance plans, like Medicaid, cover abortion services in certain states, while others do not.

In New Brunswick, the abortion pill can only be obtained by a doctor's prescription, and only a limited number of doctors and pharmacists in the province have completed the required training to prescribe and dispense the medication.

How to get to your appointment

If you need help getting to and from your appointment, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, Abortion Support Services Atlantic (ASSA) provides non-medical support to anyone seeking abortion care in the Atlantic provinces. This may include offering rides, gas cards, or helping you arrange a place to stay. ASSA can be contacted at [email protected].

Additionally, if you are in need of a ride, you can call the Moncton Family Planning Clinic at 1-844-806-9205. They offer medication abortions and surgical abortions up to 15 weeks and 6 days.

If you are beyond 16 weeks of pregnancy, you may need to travel outside of New Brunswick to access abortion services. In this case, you can reach out to organizations such as the National Abortion Federation Canada and Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, which can provide information on how to apply for transportation support.

Finally, if you are seeking spiritual or religious support, you can contact the Faith Aloud clergy counselling line to speak with trained clergy and religious leaders from diverse faith backgrounds.

What to expect during the procedure

To get an abortion pill in New Brunswick, you must have a valid Medicare card and an ultrasound to confirm the gestational age of the fetus. The abortion pill, Mifegymiso, can be prescribed to terminate a pregnancy up to nine weeks. It is available for free to women in New Brunswick, making it the first province to provide universal access.

The abortion pill is a two-step treatment. Firstly, you swallow a pill that blocks the hormones that support the pregnancy. 24-48 hours later, you place other pills in your cheek or vagina. These pills cause the uterus to contract and push out the pregnancy tissue. This causes cramping and bleeding that is usually heavy. On average, the abortion is completed 3 days after the first pill, but it may take several weeks. There is a chance that a surgical abortion will be needed if the pills fail.

You may need 4 appointments: blood work, an office visit with a practitioner, follow-up blood work, and a follow-up appointment with a doctor or nurse. Community health centres and hospitals may provide blood work and visits with a practitioner in one appointment. If the medication doesn't work completely, you will require more appointments. You will take an at-home urine test one month later, and if the result is positive, you will require a follow-up appointment with a doctor or nurse.

You can expect heavy bleeding and cramping for a few hours. A prescription for medication to manage pain may be provided. Expect 1-2 days of heavy bleeding and strong cramps that can range from worse than a normal period to pain that may feel like labour. You may see an identifiable fetus if the pregnancy is over 7 weeks. You may have some period-like cramps for a few days afterward. Light bleeding usually continues for 2 weeks but may last longer.

The medication abortion can be completed alone or with a support person present. It can be done at home or in any location that feels safe and comfortable.

Frequently asked questions