5 Best Abortion Clinics in Ottawa
Having an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy could make a woman feel alone and in despair.
Should you find yourself in this situation, our review of the best abortion clinics in Ottawa can hopefully provide you with helpful and trustworthy resources when you need them most.
In the next section, we’ll be taking a look at potential costs associated with going to an abortion clinic.
Is An Abortion Clinic Costly in Ottawa?
Not at all — if you’re insured or have health care coverage, that is. Abortions are legal at any pregnancy stage in Canada but insurance coverage and resources can vary by region.
Thankfully, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan or OHIP covers the cost of surgical abortions done in clinics or hospitals. It also covers the cost of abortion-inducing pills early on in the pregnancy.
We made a table below to show the difference between patients covered by OHIP and some insurance plans with those who are uninsured. The estimated costs in the table are from regional averages though some clinics might have a different pricing matrix for every pregnancy stage.
| ABORTION CLINIC SERVICE | ESTIMATED COST |
| Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) | $0 |
| Interim Federal Health (IFH) | $0 |
| University/College Health Insurance Plan (UHIP/CHIP) | $0 |
| Uninsured patients | Pregnancy up to 11 weeks $500 Pregnancy up to 13 weeks $600 Pregnancy up to 16 weeks $750 Pregnancy up to 18 weeks $900 |
Please note that the figures above are applicable to Canadian residents only. Some clinics or centres could have policies revolving around immigration status and other issues.
The Best Abortion Clinics in Ottawa
In the following section, we’ll be taking a closer look at some abortion clinics in Ottawa and what makes them trustworthy and reliable.
Since this is a sensitive topic, we made sure to provide a set of helpful FAQs toward the end of this listicle, as well.
1. Ottawa Abortion Clinic
| SERVICES | In-clinic abortion, Abortion pill (Medical), Surgical Abortion. IUD/IUS Insertions and removals, STI testing and Treatments. |
| ADDRESS | 65, Bank Street, 3rd Floor, Ottawa, ON K1P 5N2 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | Phone: 613-567-3360 or 613-567-8300 Fax: 613-567-9128 |
| WEBSITE | https://oaclinic.ca/ |
| OPERATING HOURS | Office Hours Administration: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Procedure/Clinic Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Fridays. |
One of the first things that the Ottawa Abortion Clinic wants to assure its clients is the utmost privacy and security. Bound by the Ontario Privacy Act, the clinic strictly adheres to laws on patient confidentiality, ensuring the right to discreet abortion care services.
To further protect clients, the clinic has implemented extensive security measures, including a court order that prohibits demonstrators from being on its premises. Additionally, to maintain a safe environment, no devices or large bags are allowed inside the clinic.
The Ottawa Abortion Clinic offers a range of services, including in-clinic abortions, abortion pills (medical), surgical abortions, IUD/IUS insertions and removals, and STI testing and treatments.
For medical abortions, the clinic can accommodate clients up to 10 weeks gestational age, with appointments available both by phone, online, and even for walk-ins before 2 pm. For surgical abortions, which are available up to 19.6 weeks gestational age, appointments are required and are only available in the morning.
The clinic does not offer Saturday appointments, but for surgical procedures, next-day appointments are often available depending on availability.
The clinic strives to provide prompt service with no wait times for medical abortions, allowing same-day or walk-in appointments.
Ultrasounds are performed on-site to determine the gestational age of the pregnancy. For those concerned about coverage, OHIP patients are fully covered, and the clinic also accepts UHIP/CHIP, COWAN, Guardme, Morcare, or IFH. However, uninsured or out-of-province patients should expect to pay between $600 and $1000, depending on the gestational age and type of appointment.
To accommodate its diverse clientele, the clinic offers on-site language support in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, and Mandarin, with additional languages supported through a language line.
The clinic is also trans-inclusive, though at this time, no escorts, partners, friends, or children are allowed to accompany clients inside the clinic, and there is no childcare facility available. While the clinic does not have on-site parking, there is a paid public parking lot just one block away at 111 Kent Street (Precise Parklink).
Overall, the Ottawa Abortion Clinic ensures that clients receive comprehensive and compassionate care in a secure and private setting, with convenient access to a variety of services all in one visit
Pros
- No doctor’s referral needed
- Has extensive security systems to protect clients
- Counselling, ultrasound, exam and abortion done in one visit
Cons
- No electronics are allowed during the appointment
- Out-of-province fees for non-Ontario residents
Customer Reviews
Nobody was judging and just wanted to help
“Don’t normally write reviews but felt like I should because of all the negative ones. I read all the negative reviews and it made me so so nervous. But I arrived at my appointment everyone was helpful and nice. You could tell nobody was judging they just wanted to help. I received pain medication through the iv but as to be expected it was mildly painful for sure. The doctor was amazing she was so kind and so nice and the procedure took maybe 3 minutes. The pain during the procedure is unavoidable but they do their best to make you as comfortable as possible and it is so fast. So grateful for the staff here.” – Taylor W.
Had twice safe abortions here
“The best abortion clinic. I had twice safe abortions there. They are so friendly and kind and they are not gonna judge you very helpful. Ignore the negative comments they have the best nurses and doctor and counsellors.” – Nz Rasouli
2. Medical Family Planning
| SERVICES | Medication-centred safe abortion procedures, ultrasound, bloodwork lab |
| ADDRESS | 1145 Hunt Club Rd. Ottawa, ON. K1V 0Y3 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | (613) 244-0911 [email protected] |
| WEBSITE | https://medicalfamilyplanning.com/ |
| OPERATING HOURS | By appointment only |
Taking pride in its non-judgemental, discreet, and pro-choice services, the Medical Family Planning Clinic is also a youth-friendly centre. It doesn’t require doctor’s referrals to make the entire process convenient and hassle-free.
It’s primarily a medication-centred abortion clinic. It provides Mifegymiso and Misoprostol which are safe abortion pills with a success rate of 98% up to 7 weeks and 95% up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Both pills are covered by OHIP so there are no fees to pay at the clinic for them. The clinic accepts most health care coverage plans but non-insured clients will need to pay via debit or credit cards.
Aside from ultrasound to determine the stage of pregnancy, other lab tests for blood type, kidney and liver functions, and potential STDs could be requested by the clinic beforehand.
The downside is that this means the Medical Family Planning clinic does not provide surgical abortion on its premises. It also means it can only accommodate clients who are 10 weeks pregnant at most.
Pros
- OHIP-covered abortion pills
- Up to 98% success rate for 7-week pregnancies
- Youth-friendly and pro-choice clinic
- Accepts most health care plans
Cons
- No surgical abortions offered
- Cannot accommodate late-pregnancy clients
- Does not accept cash for non-insured patients
Customer Reviews
Things were pretty quick
“Got my first abortion here. A very very scary experience, especially finding out at 6 weeks and only having until 8 weeks to have a medical abortion as I’d rather kill myself than do it surgically. Things were thankfully pretty quick, you have to get a blood test before they prescribe you the medication. The whole span between getting the first appointment and finishing with the abortion was about a week. I’d recommend it! I hope they’re still performing abortions normally during the pandemic 🙁 I imagine it’s extremely terrifying to be unwillingly pregnant at this time with everything closing sooner and appointments being scarce or just not available at all. And yep, I’m talking about abortion publically, normally, because it’s normal and if you think otherwise, you hate women and deserve nothing.” – “MilkBread”
Moral support and professionalism
“I would like to thank Maureen for her moral support and her professionalism she is very human she advised me well and reassured me it was really a pleasure to have her on the phone. Thank you.” – Hela Guitni
3. Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
| SERVICES | Non-profit centre for policy and advocacy resources such as reports and analysis, factsheets, policy briefs, and tools, sexual health resources such as sexual health information hub, directory of sexual health providers, information on Beyond the Basics, our sex-ed resource for educators |
| ADDRESS | 501-240 Bank St Ottawa, ON, Canada K2P1X4 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | +1 613-241-4474 [email protected] |
| WEBSITE | https://www.actioncanadashr.org |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday 9 AM – 5 PM Closed on Saturdays and Sundays |
Though it’s not an abortion clinic in Ottawa per se, Action Canada nevertheless provides helpful resources for those seeking specific sexual health care services and information. It collaborates with grassroots organizations across Canada and parts of the globe.
It has a directory of sexual health providers for those seeking surgical or medical abortions, STI testing, and even IUD insertion.
What makes this centre unique is its menu of resources on sexual health for indigenous clients who self-identify as Inuits and aboriginal youth.
It connects abortion service providers with those seeking safe and discreet procedures wherever they may be. And even if it’s closed on weekends, the website has all the links and information available at any client’s disposal.
But for a centre that’s practically a one-stop-shop for reproductive health resources, it would be nice to have advocates and counsellors ready to take calls at all hours of the day instead of just between 9 AM and 9 PM EST.
Pros
- One-stop centre for reproductive health resources
- Collaborates with grassroots organizations for sexual rights advocacy
- Can accommodate immediate clinic referrals via its referral line
Cons
- Not an abortion clinic per se
- The referral line is between 9 AM – 9 PM EST only
- Open on weekdays only
Customer Reviews
Donate directly to Action Canada
“I actively fought against misinformation and the lack of support in the 1960s and 1970s by working directly in my community. Today, I donate directly to Action Canada because the work is not over.” – Elinor
4. Planned Parenthood Ottawa
| SERVICES | Options counselling, insight theatre, reproductive coercion project, education program, healthy relationships project |
| ADDRESS | 222 Somerset Street West, Suite 404, Ottawa, ON K2P 2G3 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | 613-226-3234 dial 100 (for Options) [email protected] |
| WEBSITE | https://ppottawa.ca/ |
| OPERATING HOURS | Over the phone information/referral Monday to Friday 10 AM – 5 PM In-person Options counselling appointments Monday to Friday 6 AM – 7 PM |
Planned Parenthood in Ottawa is arguably one of the most recognized abortion clinics in and outside of Canada. However, it also offers a range of reproductive health services and programs.
Apart from providing online resources, the centre also offers options counselling which includes parenting, adoption, and abortion. It can be done both in-person and over the phone though the former is temporarily suspended due to the pandemic.
Walk-ins can be accommodated between 12 noon and 5 PM though this is subject to counsellor availability.
It also has something called the Reproductive Coercion Project which aims to build a coordinated community response to reproductive coercion, abuse and sexual and reproductive health. This lessens incidents of pregnancy pressure, coercion, birth control sabotage, and other manipulative behaviour that threatens a woman’s reproductive health rights.
Planned Parenthood Ottawa’s website and social media accounts are a wealth of information and resources on safe reproductive choices and rights. However, it would be more helpful to have an advocacy hotline or live chat feature for women and young girls who need them at all hours of the day.
Pros
- Walk-ins can sometimes be accommodated between 12 PM – 5 PM
- Options counselling offered to all clients
- Actively supports sexual and reproductive health choices
Cons
- Information and referral is open on weekdays only
- In-person counselling temporarily closed
- No 24-hour chat or immediate help hotlines
Customer Reviews
Helped make the best decision for treatment
“I came here for answers and solutions to a problem and received quick and virtually painless help in the office. They helped me make the best decision for my treatment and let me decide for myself what options I wanted to take. Quick and thorough team of professionals.
I live closer to the Chicago Metropolitan area, but was nearby Ottawa and am glad to have chosen this place to address certain questions and be provided with a prompt treatment plan. Glad to see they are still operating and in business.” – Olivia K.
Incredibly caring and amazing group of people
“What an incredibly caring and amazing group of people. I am so glad to have come here & I am very grateful to every person who took the time to talk to me here. Thank you for helping me with all of my decisions. I will definitely recommend this place.” – Black C.
5. First Place Options
| SERVICES | Free pregnancy tests, options counselling, post-abortion grief counselling, pregnancy and parenting support |
| ADDRESS | 202 – 1600 Merivale Rd Ottawa, ON K2G 5J8 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | 613-228-7475 [email protected] |
| WEBSITE | https://www.firstplaceoptions.ca |
| OPERATING HOURS | Mondays 10 AM – 2.30 PM Tuesdays 10 AM – 6.30 PM Wednesdays 10 AM – 4.30 PM Thursdays 10 AM – 6.30 PM Fridays by appointment only Closed on Saturdays and Sundays |
First Place Options is first and foremost a charity organization aiming to promote informed decisions surrounding sexuality and pregnancy. It’s not an abortion clinic per se, but it promises to be a non-judgemental, supportive, and true-choice resource centre.
It aims to be the first place a woman can call when it comes to unplanned pregnancies. It offers pregnancy options counselling as well as post-abortion grief support to clients.
Unfortunately, the centre is open only on weekdays. The hours for each weekday also vary from the previous one and the next which is a bit confusing.
Female clients can get free confidential appointments as well as free three-minute pregnancy tests at First Place Options. And we said “female” because the centre also accommodates male clients!
This is what makes this centre unique: it offers resources for men and their role in a woman’s pregnancy and reproductive health decisions. There are handy advice cards and FAQs because it believes men are an important part of the process.
Pros
- Free confidential appointment
- Offers pregnancy options counselling
- Free three-minute pregnancy tests
- Gives practical advice to men
Cons
- Not an abortion clinic per se
- Somewhat confusing operating hours
- Open on weekdays only
Customer Reviews
Extensive care, consultations, and follow up are discussed
“Warm and welcoming as expected. A most honest and clear presentation of the real options facing women and couples. No pressure. Extensive care, consultations and follow-up are discussed. A most compassionate and sensitive place to be for anyone seeking advice or solutions.” – Gerry Organ
Compassionate and caring staff
“Compassionate and caring staff. No pressure. Greatly appreciated.” – R. Savatar
FAQs About Abortion Clinics in Ottawa
The best abortion clinic in Ottawa can provide a range of services that help you make the best decision about your body and future.
If you need more intensive mental health services related to post-abortion or other issues, we recommend reading our resource on the best psychologists in Ottawa.
And if you have an abortion clinic to recommend for this listicle, send us a message so we can review it and we’ll see if it makes our list.