Birth Control
If you requested a prescription for a birth control method, it should be in your brown aftercare package. You will need to take it to a pharmacy to be filled. You should also have a handout with information about the method of birth control you were prescribed or information about birth control if you requested it.
After a Surgical Abortion
It is important to understand fertility resumes immediately.
If you want to start birth control after a surgical abortion, it is recommended you begin using the pill, Evra® (patch), NuvaRing® or Depo Provera® (injection) within 4 days after the abortion procedure. These methods are not effective at preventing pregnancy for one month. Condom use is recommended.
If you had an IUD inserted the day of your surgical abortion, you will have an IUD insertion aftercare sheet in your brown aftercare package as well as a handout with information about the IUD you had inserted.
If you were given a prescription for an IUD, you can have it inserted 2 weeks after the abortion procedure. You can make an appointment to return here to have it inserted or see another doctor.
If you had the Nexplanon® (implant) inserted the day of your surgical abortion you will have a Nexplanon® aftercare sheet in your aftercare package as well as a handout with information about the implant. If you received a prescription for Nexplanon® you can make an appointment to return to have it inserted here or you can see another doctor.
If you prefer to use Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) to prevent pregnancy it is important to understand it can take up to 8 weeks to get your next menstrual period which means you do not know when you will ovulate. Condom use is recommended.
After a Medication Abortion
It is important to understand fertility resumes immediately.
If you want to start birth control after a medication abortion, it is recommended you begin using the pill, Evra® (patch), NuvaRing® or Depo Provera® (injection) 5 days after misoprostol is used. These methods are not effective at preventing pregnancy for one month. Condom use is recommended.
an IUD can be inserted 6 weeks after a medication abortion with a negative pregnancy test. If you want an IUD inserted earlier than 6 weeks after a medication abortion you will need a transvaginal ultrasound confirming termination of pregnancy. You can book an appointment to return here for an IUD insertion or see another doctor.
If you prefer to use Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) to prevent pregnancy it is important to understand it can take up to 8 weeks to get your next menstrual period which means you do not know when you will ovulate. Condom use is recommended.
