Due to non-fatal complications with providing surgical abortions, Dr. Sheila Smith stopped offering surgical abortions in 2008 because she wanted to feel confident in the service she was providing her patients.

In 2019, Dr. Smith enrolled in a six month obstetrical surgical skills training course in Vancouver where she was given the training and skills to perform C-sections and difficult vaginal repairs after delivery, as well as a procedure called dilation and curettage (or D & C), for people who experience a miscarriage or “spontaneous abortion.”

Being one of three physicians in Smithers who provided abortions, if she provided a surgical abortion to a patient on a Friday and there were complications, living in northern BC, she could potentially be out of reach, and there are too many doctors who would not follow up with a patient if they were having complications due to an abortion. 

When Smith was a new doctor and she wanted to offer Mifegymiso to a patient, there were major financial barriers, but the doctor found creative ways to help women afford the abortion pill.

In Smithers there are three doctors who will offer a medical abortion. For years, there has been no one to perform surgical abortions in Terrace, but now there are a few family doctors in Terrace who will at least provide Mifegymiso (or medical termination).

The one doctor who performs abortions in Prince Rupert retired, so as of today there is no access to a physician who will offer even medical abortions to the people of Prince Rupert.

Smith said "Hazelton really stepped up in the last couple of years," and even knows of "a Nurse Practitioner who trained through the National Abortion Federation to provide medical terminations." And of the two doctors that provide medicals in Hazelton, one of them will provide a surgical procedure.

Listen to the full feature with Dr. Sheila Smith in the clip below for her experience as a physician for a rural community who provides abortions: