A service provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control
Sexual activity where the penis enters the vagina can sometimes result in pregnancy. Pregnancy can be planned, or unplanned, wanted or unwanted. In this section we mainly include information about preventing pregnancy, and options for pregnancy, but choices around pregnancy are very personal.
There are other ways that people can choose to get pregnant that don’t involve sex such as through insemination or in-vitro fertilization. We do not provide information on fertility here, but here are two resources that include more information:
It is a good idea to start taking birth control (also called contraception) before you plan to become sexually active if you want to prevent unintended pregnancy.
Multiple different birth control choices are available in B.C. The types and effectiveness of these methods can be found on the Options for Sexual Health website here.
Using birth control while you are sexually active is a great way to prevent unintended pregnancy, with very few health risks. If you are concerned about the safety of birth control, speak with your health care provider about your different options. Your health care provider can work with you to find a birth control method that works best for you and your individual circumstance.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada also have a lot of good information on hormonal contraception, non-hormonal contraception, and natural methods if you want more information.
If you have had sex without a condom or the condom broke while you were having sex and you are not using another form of birth control, there are a few options for ways to prevent pregnancy.
Plan B Pill
You can take the Plan B pill up to 5 days after you have had sex to prevent pregnancy, but it works best if you take it within the first 3 days after you have sex. You can get the Plan B pill from your local pharmacy over the counter. This means you do not need a prescription from a doctor or a doctor’s appointment to get this medication.
Ulipristal Acetate (Ella)
You can take Ella up to 5 days after you have had sex to prevent pregnancy, but it works best if you take it as soon as possible from the time that you had sex. You need a prescription from a health care provider to get this pill so if this is an option you would like, make an appointment with your health care provider.
Copper IUD
Having a copper IUD inserted into your cervix is very effective at preventing unintended pregnancy up to 5 days after you have had sex. Getting a copper IUD inserted requires you to get to a health care clinic where a health care provider can insert one. To find a clinic that does this closest to you, call the Pregnancy Options Line at 1-888-875-3163 throughout B.C. or 604-875-3163 from the lower mainland.
Unintended pregnancies are common in BC where at least 1 in 3 women living in BC will experience an unintended pregnancy in their lifetime. If you are experiencing an unintended pregnancy, there are options you can consider. These options may include:
If you are unsure which pregnancy option you would like to choose, and would like some more information and non-judgemental counselling support on these three options, these are some trusted resources you can reach out to:
If you choose to continue the pregnancy, it is important you speak with your health care provider right away to ensure you get the care and nutritional supplements you need to have as healthy a pregnancy as possible.
If you choose to end a pregnancy, abortions are available in British Columbia (BC). For BC residents who have Medical Services Plan (MSP), are paid for by MSP. Several clinics, doctors, and hospitals throughout the province offer abortion services. The two abortion options available in BC are a medical abortion or a surgical abortion. These options are explained in more details as follows:
Women can self-refer to any abortion clinics in BC or can call the Pregnancy Options Line for referral a doctor in their area.
For more information on medical or surgical abortions, and your specific circumstances, speak with a health care provider.
All forms of genital, anal, and oral sex have the potential to pass STIs, although there are ways to reduce your chances. STIs can be harmful to yourself and to your baby during pregnancy, as well as while you give birth. If there is a chance you could have an STI, or you are experiencing any changes to your body that fit with the symptoms of an STI, it is a good idea to get an STI screen.
STIs can also be passed from you to your baby during birth. These STIs can cause serious health complications to your newborn. Be sure to talk with your health care provider about getting tested and/or treated for STIs throughout your pregnancy.
You can reduce your chance of getting an STI during pregnancy by practicing safer sex.
Some ways of preventing STIs, like condoms, also stop unintended pregnancy. However, not all forms of birth control will stop STIs. For example, hormonal contraceptives (like the pill) will not protect against STIs. Lambskin condoms will prevent pregnancy, but do not prevent HIV transmission.