A 28-year-old woman claims she nearly died after having an abortion at Edmonton's Morgentaler clinic.

Pam, who asked that her real name not be used to avoid possible harassment from anti-abortionists, credits staff at University Hospital with saving her life.

About 15 minutes after her 10-minute abortion at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Pam said she developed stomach pains and began vomiting and shaking.

"Nobody knew what to do with me. The sweat was pouring off me," Pam said.

"They took my blood pressure later and that's when they called the ambulance." said Pam, who was about 12 weeks pregnant.

At 5:05 p.m., she was taken by ambulance to University Hospital from the 10141 150 St. clinic.

About 7:00 p.m., her uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries had to be removed because of bleeding, she said.

Pam said a University Hospital doctor told her she was "bleeding internally" and "could have died."

Pam said the hospital's obstetrician, Dr. George Iwaniuk, told her she was "lucky to be alive."

Iwaniuk said yesterday he wouldn't know if Pam's complications were linked to the abortion until a medical report is completed in one week.

"All the rest would be speculative at this time. We would have to wait until the pathology notes came back."

Pam said because her ovaries are gone, she will have to take estrogen pills to avoid premature menopause. Estrogen is a hormone released naturally by the ovaries.

Relative Brenda McTavish said she went with Pam to the clinic and read forms that explained the risks of abortion before the procedure was done.

McTavish said the forms also stated the Morgentaler clinics haven't experienced any major problems with the 50,000 patients who've had abortions.

Morgentaler clinic manager Susan Fox refused to discuss the case.

Pam, a single welfare mother of three pre-schoolers, gave the clinic a $200 down-payment on the $475 operation.

McTavish said the family will be filing a complaint with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, and is considering a lawsuit.