RECORDED MESSAGE FOR PATIENTS CALLING THE SCOTT CLINIC
Hello, this is the Scott Clinic. If you have already been to our clinic for an abortion and you now have an urgent medical problem, please call 416.962.3753. This number will be answered 24 hours a day and is not to be used for appointment inquiries.
We have prepared this tape to give you all the information you need if you have decided to have an abortion at our clinic. It is very important that the patient herself listen to this message. We will give you the number now to get through to the clinic and we will repeat it at the end of the tape. The number to book an appointment is 416.962.5771.
This clinic is located in downtown Toronto at 157 Gerrard St. East. Gerrard is spelled G E R R A R D. The clinic is on Gerrard St. between Jarvis and Sherbourne Streets. To reach the clinic by public transport, take the subway to the Sherbourne Station on the Bloor Line. Then take the Sherbourne bus south and get off at Gerrard St. If you are coming by car and do not know your way around Toronto, ask the secretary to give you directions. Do not park at a parking meter in front of the clinic, as it is very disruptive when family or friends are continually leaving the clinic to put money in parking meters. Instead please use the underground parking lot located on Jarvis Street just north of Gerrard Street at the Ramada Hotel and Suites.
The clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Wednesday, we are open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
What to do if you think you are pregnant:
If you think you may be pregnant, ask your doctor to arrange a quantitative blood pregnancy test or, if this is not possible, do a urine pregnancy test. If you have a very irregular cycle or you are not sure when your last period was, have your doctor arrange an ultrasound exam. Once you are sure you are pregnant, discuss your situation with those who are closest to you, for example, your husband, boyfriend or parents. You may want to discuss your situation with a teacher or a religious advisor. There is no requirement for your parents or husband to consent to an abortion procedure but we would urge very young patients, i.e., those under the age of 16 to seriously consider telling at least one of their parents. A parent can be much more understanding and supportive than you may expect.
Making an appointment:
Once you have made the decision to terminate the pregnancy, you may call the clinic to make an appointment. This is the information you should have ready when you call. 1. The date your last normal period began. 2. If you have had a blood pregnancy test done, we will need the actual numerical value of the result, not just that it is positive. 3. If you have had an ultrasound done, please get the result of the ultrasound from your doctor or the lab. We will need the actual measurement, either the CRL or the BPD, not just the number of weeks. 4. The names of any medications you are currently using.
When you make your appointment, you must tell the secretary if you have any medical problems, for example, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, a personal or family history of malignant hyperthermia, an allergy to local anesthetics or to narcotics, bleeding problems, a previous blood transfusion, endometriosis, a previous premature delivery, previous surgery to the cervix, an incompetent cervix or a previous C-section. Please inform us if you weigh over 200 lb. or 90 kg. or if you are taking steroids or blood thinners such as coumadin. You must inform the secretary if you are planning to travel outside the province or the country within one month after your procedure. Please note that if you fail to notify us of a medical condition or travel plans you may delay your procedure. In general, you should continue to take any medications that have been prescribed for you. Diabetics should eat and take their insulin as usual.
Fees at our clinic:
If you are covered by OHIP, there are no charges for an abortion at our clinic. You must bring your OHIP card with you when you come to the clinic. If you have not received or you have lost your card, please go to your nearest OHIP office and arrange proof of coverage before coming to the clinic.
If you do not have OHIP coverage, the fees at our clinic are as follows:
<12 weeks pregnant $450.00
12 or 13 weeks pregnant $550.00
14 or 15 weeks pregnant $650.00
If you are a resident of another province, you will need to bring your medicare card for that province and the fees are as follows:
<12 weeks pregnant $300.00
12 or 13 weeks pregnant $400.00
14 or 15 weeks pregnant $500.00
These fees are payable in cash on the day of your procedure. Please bring the exact amount. You will be given an income tax receipt.
If you wish to have an IUD inserted after the abortion, the cost of a copper IUD is $75. A hormone or Mirena IUD costs $400. A Depo-Provera injection costs $50. These fees are to be paid in cash.
All information about your visit will be kept confidential by the clinic, by your medicare plan and by your personal physician.
What to do on the day of the procedure:
All patients should prepare for their appointment by following these instructions. Don't book other appointments for the same day. Please arrange daycare, transportation and get travel directions well in advance of the day of your appointment. Make sure you have a hot water bottle and a supply of Tylenol or Advil at home since you will want these on hand when you return from the clinic. On the morning of your appointment, have a shower and put on comfortable casual clothing. We would suggest that you not wear tight pants, as some patients find these uncomfortable following the procedure.
If your appointment is in the morning, you are to have no solids to eat after midnight but you may take liquids. If your appointment is in the afternoon, please have a light breakfast before 9 a.m. and then nothing except liquids.
Please arrive at the clinic on time, preferably with a friend. If you arrive late, we may have to reschedule your appointment for another day. Please inform your friend to bring either socks or slippers to wear inside the clinic since we do not allow outside shoes to be worn inside the clinic.
Please do not bring more than one person with you and do not bring children. Do not bring food, drinks, large bags or suitcases to the clinic. All cell phones and pagers must be turned off before you enter the clinic.
Here is a list of everything each patient must bring on the day of her appointment: 1. Her health card, 2. Picture identification, 3. Her doctor's full name, telephone number and mailing address, 4. A pair of socks to wear inside the clinic, 5. An extra pair of underwear, 6. Money for a taxi home in case her ride fails to appear.
If you have to cancel an appointment please give the clinic at least 24 hours notice so that we may give that appointment time to another patient.
What will happen at the clinic:
When you arrive at the clinic, you will be seen by a nurse who will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have. You will then be seen by Dr. Scott before having the procedure done. The actual abortion procedure which is called a vacuum-suction curettage lasts only 5-10 minutes but you can expect to spend a full 3 hours or more at the clinic. The procedure is done under local anesthesia with conscious sedation. This means you will not be put to sleep. You will experience some discomfort similar to menstrual cramping. Possible transient mental impairment following the use of conscious sedation may occur, i.e., you can feel like you have had some alcoholic drinks. You cannot go home alone unless you go by taxi. You cannot, I repeat, you cannot drive yourself home, or drive later in the day or operate hazardous equipment the same day as the abortion, or take public transit alone. You also should not make any decisions requiring a judgement call the same day following the procedure.
And now a word about patients who are 12 or more weeks pregnant:
Patients who are 12 or more weeks pregnant will be seen on the day of their appointment and will have two cervical dilators inserted. A cervical dilator is a thin cylinder of a material that can be inserted into the cervix. Over several hours it thickens to gradually open up the cervix. You will then return the next day for the abortion prodedure. You can expect to spend 3 hours at the clinic each day. On both days you cannot go home alone unless you go by taxi. Once the cervical dilators have been inserted, you cannot, I repeat, you cannot drive yourself, operate hazardous equipment or take public transit alone until the day following the abortion.
A final word: We are keenly aware that the decision to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is difficult for everyone but we would like to assure you that we will treat you with warmth, kindness and respect during this difficult time. As your doctor, my staff and I are bound by law and ethics to safeguard you privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information.
Once again, the number to call to book an appointment is 416.962.5771. This is the end of the message. Thank you.
