Making a decision about your pregnancy options, including adoption and abortion.

If you’ve missed your menstrual period there is a chance you may be pregnant. The first step is to have a pregnancy test done. Once you know you are pregnant, you will need to make some decisions.

Pregnancy tests can be done at your family doctor or walk-in clinic. For those who are under 21 years of age, you can get a test at one of our youth clinics.

What are my choices?

This is an important time to learn as much as you can about your options. The earlier in pregnancy you are, the more options you have.

  • Decide to continue the pregnancy; support and raise the baby into adulthood. Find the health care provider right for you to join you on your pregnancy journey.
  • Learn more about adoption; an option to carry the baby to term but choose not to parent. In B.C., you have the option to go through Ministry of Children and Families (MCFD) or a private adoption agency to guide you through the decision making process.
  • Learn about abortion services, covered under the Medical Services Plan in B.C.; an option to end a pregnancy early by medical or surgical intervention. If this is an option you are considering, detailed counselling is available. Abortions are safest when done early in pregnancy. Contact your family doctor or learn more about the clinic options listed below.

Visit Options for Sexual Health: Making decisions about your pregnancy to review important questions to consider before you make your decision.

Emergency contraceptive (morning after pill)

If you have had unprotected sex in the last five days (120 hours) and do not wish to become pregnant, the "morning after pill" or emergency contraceptive is available over the counter at a pharmacy, at your family doctor, youth clinics (if you are under 21 years old) or Options for Sexual Health Clinic.

The sooner you take the emergency contraceptive the more effective it is.

Resources

Abortion clinic options