Proceeding with this appointment means that you consent to electronic communication (text messaging, email, video conferencing, and online forms). It presumes that you understand and accept that electronic communications are not always secure and/or encrypted, and that some portion of emails or forms may be added to your medical chart within our clinic. Within 48 hours of receiving this message, this scheduled appointment may be cancelled if you do not fill out form below.
Click on this link to Receive Virtual Care and Electronic Communication: https://everywomanshealthcentre.ca/communications-consent/
Your appointment is confirmed if you made the booking within a week of your appointment. Reminder messages will be sent before your appointment. Speak slowly and clearly if you call 604-322-6692 to cancel, confirm or reschedule your appointment. Give us your full name and the date and time of your appointment. If you are only calling to confirm your appointment, we will not return your call.
Appointment time, arriving & leaving
- Everywoman’s is a scent free environment. Please do not wear perfume or cologne.
- Masking is optional but highly encouraged. You may bring up to 1 support person. Only you are allowed in clinical areas. If you have a fever or flu-like symptoms, and/or lower respiratory illness (cough/shortness of breath), reschedule your appointment.
- Be on time. Late arrival even by 10 minutes may mean rescheduling.
- Bring photo I.D. to get in the clinic. Passport, driver’s licence, or school ID are okay.
- Please try to have someone pick you up or take you home. The nurse will let you know approximate time when you’re finished. You cannot drive a car for 24 hours after your procedure.
- You cannot use cell phones to talk or take pictures inside the clinic. You can talk on the phone outside the clinic. Your privacy is very important to us.
- Total appointment time is between 2-4 hours if you receive intravenous (IV) medication & have someone pick you up. Your companion can wait for you by the second floor elevator stairway.
- Total time inside our clinic is around 5-6 hours if you receive intravenous (IV) medication & leave without a companion by taxi, or alone on public transportation. You would need to stay 3 hours after your procedure.
What will happen during your appointment
- First you will see a counsellor alone for up to 45 minutes. Your counsellor will explain the procedure and the consent form. You can use the time with the counsellor in whatever way will be helpful for you. They will answer your questions and talk with you about any concerns you may have. If you want to, you can talk with her about your decision to have the abortion. They can also help you with information about birth control.
- Wear your own short sleeve top: your blood pressure will be monitored and an I.V. will be inserted for your safety. You will have local anesthetic and be offered optional conscious sedation medications for the procedure. The 7-8 minute procedure involves inserting instruments inside the uterus and gentle suction (no incisions, stitches, or scraping). The doctor will do an ultrasound after the procedure to ensure completion. An IUD can be inserted at the end of the abortion. You will rest for half or 1 hour afterwards if you do not go home alone. If you need a doctor’s note for school or work, the nurse can provide one for up to 3 days.
Before your appointment
- Have a bath or shower before coming in.
- Have a supply of pads, ibuprofen (Advil) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol) at home.
- Bring BC Medical Services Card, picture ID and extended medical card (if you have coverage) to purchase birth control at a pharmacy nearby.
- Wear a short-sleeved top like a T-shirt, warm socks or slippers for walking around inside clinical areas.
- 2 sanitary pads, & underpants that can hold a pad.
- Bring a small clean blanket for your comfort, a drink & small snack to eat after the procedure. Cookies, crackers, granola bars, dried fruit or nuts are ok. Strong odours (like greasy foods) can trigger other nauseated women to vomit.
- If you think you have miscarried, call us. For information on miscarriages, you can go to https://everywomanshealthcentre.ca/miscarriage-management
DON’T DO before your appointments (or this appointment will be rescheduled)
- Do not wear fingernail polish on at least one index finger so we can monitor your blood oxygen levels during the procedure. If you have acrylic nails and it is not possible to remove one, please use only very lightly coloured polish.
- 6 hours before your appointment, do not EAT anything.
- 2 hour before your appointment, do not DRINK anything.
- 24 hours before your appointment, do not drink alcohol.
- 24 hours before your appointment, do not take Aspirin or any other drug containing ASA.
- Amphetamines and most street drugs must not be taken for 3 days (72 hours before) prior to your appointment. Do not take any cocaine for 24 hours before your appointment. Do not use marijuana 12 hours before your appointment. Do not take suboxone on the day of your appointment. This is to avoid critical drug interactions and to ensure your safety. If you’re a regular heroin user, please limit your intake to a minimum maintenance dose only.
Cost of Birth control: types & cost
- If you have BC Medical coverage, you are eligible for free contraception. Free contraceptives – Province of British Columbia
- Without BC Medical coverage, or out of province coverage (except Quebec), the insertion cost is $325.00 and does not include the costs of the IUD itself. At our clinic, purchasing a copper IUD is $80. At a pharmacy, hormonal IUD cost around $400.00 (Mirena or Kyleena).
- If you have extended medical insurance, bring your card with you (i.e. Blue Cross, Green Shield, Manulife, Fair Pharmacare, First Nations status card or number). Some IUDs are also covered under social assistance, disability. Before your appointment, find out what types of IUD they cover and what percentage they will pay for so you can make an informed decision during your appointment.
- Review ALL of the following links on our website:
IUD Information https://everywomanshealthcentre.ca/birth_control_method/iud/
Birth Control https://everywomanshealthcentre.ca/birth-control/
What to expect after the appointment
- After surgery, do not lift heavy objects or stand for long periods of time on the day of your surgery and the next day. You can resume normal activities when you feel okay.
- Here is information on what to expect after your appointment: https://everywomanshealthcentre.ca/after-the-abortion/
Address: 210-2525 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, B.C. V5N 4C1
Our clinic is at the corner of Commercial Drive and Broadway in east Vancouver. The door to our building, 2525 Commercial Drive, is between Subway & Bank of Montreal. We are on the second floor.
- If you are taking public transit, the nearest Skytrain station is the Commercial-Broadway station on the Expo and Millennium Lines. Buses that come to Broadway and Commercial include the #20, the #9, and the #99 B-Line. Translink Trip Planner: https://www.translink.ca
- You will need “hangTag” app to pay for underground parking lot that opens at 7:35 am.
- Enter from East 10th Avenue, just west of Commercial Drive, behind the Money Mart.
- From the underground parking lot, take the elevator on the left. The elevator on the right will take you to the wrong building.
- Touchless Parking Payment ($2.00 for 2 hours): underground parking does not have a kiosk to accept payment by cash, or credit card.
- Download “hangTag” app in your Apple or Google Play app store.
- Location (impark lot #881 Broadway Station) https://lots.impark.com/IMP/?_ga=2.15918783.842112863.1617985698-1361527278.1617985698#details=1,881
