Pregnancy Options

A public adoption means that the child will be in the care of the Children's Aid Society (CAS). This type of adoption happens if the birth parents make this adoption plan or if the court takes custody of the child and the child is removed from the birth parents' care.

There is no cost to the adoptive parent(s).

There is no set waiting period once approved. It can take six months to two years to find a match for a child.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Children and Youth Services webpage on adoption.

In a private adoption, a lawyer handles the adoption. A private agency licensed by the government can also hand the adoption. Birth parents choose private or government adoption agency. After finding an agency, they make an adoption plan.

Private adoptions have a cost. Private agencies or individuals charge a fee for service that can range from $15,000 to $25,000. There are also fees for a home study assessment, parent training and possible other fees.

There is no set timeframe after the home study occurs. The birth parents make the decision about who adopts the child and the timeframe. Some people choose to keep in touch with birth parent(s).

For more information, visit the Ministry of Children and Youth Services webpage on adoption.

International adoption

An international adoption involves children who are from other countries. The process is done through an agency or orphanage

There is a cost for international adoption. Agencies can charge $20,000 to $50,000 for their service. There are also fees for home study assessment, parent training, and possible other fees, including travel.

In an international adoption, wait times are based on the country you are adopting from. Each agency will let you know about the waiting timeframe.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Children and Youth Services webpage on adoption.

Surgical abortion can happen in a hospital or clinic.

Hospital

• It can be done at local hospital if under 12 weeks pregnant.
• It must be referred by a healthcare provider.
• The procedure is done under anesthetic (you are put to sleep).
• A referral can be done at sexual health clinics.
• Someone must take you to the hospital for your procedure.

Clinics

• The clinics are in Toronto and other areas. They are not in Durham.
• You can call and make your own appointment without seeing a healthcare provider.
• It is a procedure done with pain medication.
• The medication is used to help relax and calm you.
• You need someone to take you to your appointment.

For more information, visit the Morgentaler clinic webpage. For other clinic contact information, you can call and speak to a nurse in the sexual health clinic.

Medical abortion is ending a pregnancy using medication. You can have a medical abortion up to nine weeks of pregnancy.

Medical abortion is legal in Canada.

Clinics

• The clinics are in Toronto and other areas. They are not currently in Durham.
• You can call and make your own appointment without seeing a healthcare provider.
• You may need someone to take you to your appointment.
• There is a cost and OHIP does not cover it.
• The process can take more than one appointment.

For more information, visit the Bay Centre for Birth Control webpage or the Women's Care Clinic webpage.