Contraception & Pregnancy

Contraception refers to the many options for birth control to help avoid unplanned pregnancy. Check out this section to learn about your contraceptive options and where to access them. As of April 2023, most prescription birth control is free for any BC resident.

For many young people, it is important to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. Everyone should know what contraception options are available to them. There are many contraception options (also known as birth control) available in BC. Each method of contraception has pros and cons. A health provider, like a nurse or a doctor, can help you decide which method is right for you. You can also use this tool for creating a birth control plan. If you’re looking for the most effective forms of birth control available in BC, consider a Long-Acting Reversible Contraception like an IUD or Implant.

There may be other medical factors that affect your birth control choice. Talk to a doctor or nurse about what options are best for you.

The sections below describe some common birth control options.

Getting pregnant starts with sexual intercourse (sex) where someone ejaculates (“comes” or “finishes”) into a vagina. Sex causes sperm cells to travel toward an egg cell (ovum). Once a fertilized ovum⁠ implants itself into the uterine wall to become an embryo, it results in pregnancy. The process from the moment ejaculate enters the vagina⁠ to implantation⁠ — what’s medically recognized as a pregnancy — can take anywhere between around five days to two weeks, which is why you won’t know if you’re pregnant right after sex.

While this is a short version of how pregnancy happens in the first place, it’s complicated and has a lot to it. You can read a little bit more on the whole process from start to finish with this guide.

My partner doesn’t come inside. That means I won’t get pregnant, right?

False. Pregnancy is always possible when sperm comes into direct contact with the inside or the opening of a vagina. This means that the pull out method is not effective at preventing pregnancy. This can even happen before a penis ejaculates. The clear liquid that comes out of the penis during sexual arousal (pre-ejaculate) may also contain sperm, which can live up to five days. A birth control plan can help you decide if/when it’s the right time to get pregnant for you.

What are some signs of pregnancy?

Within the first few months of pregnancy – called the first trimester – you might experience:

• Period changes or stops
• Having to pee more frequently than usual
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Breasts feel tender or swollen
• Unusual mood swings
• Feeling sick (nauseous)
• Changes in appetite like food cravings or avoiding certain foods you normally would enjoy

There are other things other than pregnancy that could be causing these signs. For example, some medications, including birth control, can make you miss your period.

If you think you may be pregnant, you can take a home pregnancy test or see a healthcare professional.

Home pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy about 2-3 weeks after sex. If you track your period, and it’s regular, you can wait until your period is late before taking a pregnancy test. If you don’t know when your period is supposed to be, or if your period is irregular, experts recommend waiting 9 to 12 days after unprotected sex.

They take about five minutes and are about 97 to 99% accurate. You pee on a stick that detects if hormones related to pregnancy are present or not. A positive test means you are pregnant and a negative test means you are not pregnant. The tests are most accurate when you take them first thing in the morning because the pregnancy hormones are highest. Pregnancy tests are often available for free at sexual health clinics, or you can purchase them at a pharmacy.

It can be helpful to talk to a healthcare professional about your options. You can also get a confidential pregnancy test from them for free. To find a healthcare provider, check out the Clinic Finder from Options for Sexual Health, which supports reproductive choice. They can also talk through the options you have if you are pregnant. Foundry also offers support for pregnant youth to explore their options. 

If this is your first child, you might want to check if the Nurse-Family Partnership Program is available in your area. A nurse will come to your home to help you have a healthy pregnancy and get ready for being a parent. The nurses offer parenting tips, and they can connect you to resources so your family has what it needs.

Nurses are available to come to your home every one or two weeks until your child is two years old to provide you with support. The program is free, and it is offered to parents up to 19 years old. Some parents are eligible to participate up to 24 years old, for example if you are a lone parent or you do not have a stable place to live.

Some BC communities also offer young parent programs to people ages 25 or younger. Different programs offer varying types of support. They may include help with food, housing, childcare and parent education resources.

Abortions are safe medical procedures that end a pregnancy.

There are 2 types of abortions: 

1. Aspiration abortion (sometimes called a surgical abortion)
   1. It is a procedure done in a clinic or hospital where a healthcare provider removes the contents of the uterus. In early pregnancy, this is done with suction and usually takes less than 10 minutes. Later in pregnancy, there may be additional steps in the procedure, and it can take longer. This kind of abortion is available up to 24 weeks of pregnancy at BC Women’s Hospital. Other clinics may have earlier cutoffs for performing this procedure.
2. Medication abortion (sometimes called a medical abortion)
   1. It is a process that involves taking medications. The first medication stops the pregnancy and the second medication causes the body to push out the contents of the uterus. The process occurs over a few days. This method is done in early pregnancy (up to 10 weeks in).

Frequently Asked Questions About Abortion

• Q: Do I have to tell my parent(s)/guardians that I’m thinking about an abortion?
• A: No. Youth can access abortion without their parent/guardian’s knowledge or permission. By law, their medical information must be kept confidential.

• Q: Do I need to pay for an abortion?
• A: Abortion is 100% covered by the BC Medical Service Plan (MSP). You do not need to pay if you have BC MSP.

• Q: What if I feel pressured to continue the pregnancy?
• A: In Canada, the only person who gets to decide what a person does with their pregnancy is the pregnant person. A pregnant person may choose to take their partner’s or their parents’ opinion into consideration, but no one can be forced to continue with a pregnancy or to have an abortion if they don’t want to.

• Q: Will an abortion affect my ability to have kids in the future?
• A: No. Abortion procedures are very safe and do not reduce your chance of becoming pregnant in the future.

Why would someone get an abortion?

Abortion is common, and people have abortions for many different reasons. Only you know what’s best for you. Good information and support can help you make the decision that’s best for your own health and well-being.

Deciding to have an abortion doesn’t mean you don’t want or love children. Everyone has their own unique and valid reasons for having an abortion. Some of the many different reasons people decide to end a pregnancy include:

• They’re not ready to be a parent yet.
• It’s not a good time in their life to have a baby.
• They want to finish school, focus on work or achieve other goals before having a baby.
• They’re not in a relationship with someone they want to have a baby with.
• They’re in an abusive relationship or were sexually assaulted.
• The pregnancy is dangerous or bad for their health.
• The fetus won’t survive the pregnancy or will suffer after birth.
• They just don’t want to be a parent.

Family, relationships, school, work, life goals, health, safety and personal beliefs are all things that might go into the decision of having an abortion. You’re the only person walking in your shoes and the only person who can decide whether to have an abortion.

Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about an abortion:

• Am I ready to be a parent?

• What would it mean for my future if I had a child now?

• How would being a parent affect my career goals?

• Do I have strong personal or religious beliefs about abortion?

• Is anyone pressuring me to have or not have an abortion?

• Would having a baby change my life in a way I do or don’t want?

• Would having an abortion change my life in a way I do or don’t want?

• What kind of support would I need and get if I decided to get an abortion?

• What kind of support would I need and get if I decided to have a baby?

When you have a miscarriage, you experience a sudden pregnancy loss before you’re 20 weeks pregnant. Miscarriages are not anyone’s fault, and they are not uncommon. They can happen even before a person knows they are pregnant. A miscarriage doesn’t happen all at once. It usually takes place over several days, and symptoms vary. You’ll likely have symptoms including:

• Cramping or pain in the lower back or abdomen
• Heavy bleeding, possibly with clots or tissue, that is similar to a period
• Lighter bleeding that lasts for more than three days
• A disappearance of any pregnancy signs you were experiencing, such as nausea and breast tenderness

Insensitivities expressed around miscarriage can be hard for young people, who might be told, “This is a blessing,” or “This worked out for the best,” or even, “You got lucky” – all of which are terrible things to say to someone who has just had not only a potentially painful physical experience, but also an emotional loss. Youth may feel guilty about getting pregnant in the first place or guilty about the loss.

Young people should be treated with respect and compassion during a miscarriage.  Someone who has been through a miscarriage is allowed to feel whatever they need to and is encouraged to talk to their support system when they need it.

It is important to follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider. Some clinics may tell you to schedule a follow-up appointment to check if everything is doing okay physically.

Talk to your health care provider about your fertility and plans for future children (if any).

At the end of a pregnancy – no matter how it ends – you may have a variety of feelings, including relief and sadness. There are many services that provide emotional support after a pregnancy ends if you need them. You can also talk to family or friends that you trust for emotional support. Foundry offers support through counselling and peer support workers.

Pregnancy is a big deal and should be approached with care. No matter what your decision is, you know your body best and no one should feel entitled to tell you otherwise. By being aware of what might happen and what options you have, you can make an informed decision for your future.

Check out some more sexual wellness resources here.