#183 – Planned Parenthood in Fort Dodge, IA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD – CENTRAL CLINIC
310 2ND AVE. S.
FORT DODGE, IA 50501-3710
515-573-8131
TAPE – 183
(dialing sounds) (ringing 2X)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood, Ft. Dodge Center. This is Angie.
CALLER: Hi. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?
CLINIC: Nope.
CALLER: No? Do you know any place that does?
CLINIC: Des Moines.
CALLER: Des Moines? Do you have that number?
CLINIC: Yep. It’s 1-800-568-2404.
CALLER: 2404? Do you know — like my friend said that you guys like have to know, like you guys have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion. Is that true?
CLINIC: Yup. We have to have parental consent if you’re under 18.
CALLER: Oh. Well, I’ll be 14 in March, but there’s no way they can find out because like — well like the problem is my boyfriend’s 22, and we’re planning on getting married, but they can’t find out because they hate him because they think he’s too old for me. So is there any way like —
CLINIC: Hold on a moment, okay?
CALLER: All right.
(music)
CLINIC: Hi, this is Lori. Can I help you?
CALLER: Hi, yeah. Well, I was asking like is there any way like my parents don’t have to know if I’m getting an abortion?
CLINIC: You can go through what’s called a judicial bypass.
CALLER: Uh-huh. What is that?
CLINIC: Um, where you go before a judge just to prove that you’re mature enough to make the decision.
CALLER: Do I have to get a lawyer?
CLINIC: They appoint one for you.
CALLER: Oh, they do?
CLINIC: Are you planning to go to the Des Moines Planned Parenthood?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Probably what you need to do is call them and talk to someone down there about it.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Saying that you want to go through judicial bypass, and they’ll walk you through it.
CALLER: Does the judge ever say no or anything?
CLINIC: I don’t — not in this area. There are certain areas where you’ll get a stinky judge (laughs), but I don’t think we’ve had a problem. You know, you may wind up just going through Polk County too.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: But I don’t know the specifics of that because it doesn’t happen a lot.
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: But the Des Moines Planned Parenthood are the ones that have to deal with that legally, so why don’t you give them a call? Explain your situation that you want to go through the judicial bypass. Have you watched the video and everything?
CALLER: No.
CLINIC: Okay. They’ll probably recommend that you come in and do that and find —
CALLER: Do I have to tell the judge about my boyfriend?
CLINIC: I don’t know what questions they’ll ask.
CALLER: Oh, all right.
CLINIC: You know, I’ve never gone through the process with anybody, so I’m not sure what questions he asks.
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: So I can’t — I don’t know. You know, that’s something you’d have to — I’m not — you know, I’m sure there are some judges that just go, yeah, okay, fine, let me sign it. And others may ask questions. So.
CALLER: Oh, all right.
CLINIC: I know. It’s not, it’s kind of a punitive act on the part of the legislature. (laughs)
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: We’re not too happy about it, but, you know, unfortunately we have to go by what the law says, so.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: Why don’t you give them a call down there?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And they can help you through it. Okay?
CALLER: Well, like do you guys do pregnancy tests there?
CLINIC: Um-hum.
CALLER: Do you have to tell anybody about that if I —
CLINIC: No. Mm-hum.
CALLER: Okay. Like, well, say that I wasn’t pregnant. Do you guys do birth control there?
CLINIC: Um-hmm.
CALLER: Okay, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody about —
CLINIC: Nope.
CALLER: — that I was on birth control?
CLINIC: Uh-uh. Nope.
CALLER: Okay. Would like my boyfriend be able to pay for it and everything?
CLINIC: Um-hum.
CALLER: So, all right.
CLINIC: Do you want to schedule an appointment?
CALLER: Huh?
CLINIC: Do you want to schedule an appointment?
CALLER: Okay. Well, yeah.
CLINIC: Okay.
CALLER: But you guys wouldn’t have to tell my parents? Because they can’t know at all, because they just hate my boyfriend because they think he’s too old for me.
CLINIC: Yeah. No, it’s — in Iowa there is no law stating that parents have to be notified if a minor gets birth control.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: All our services are confidential.
CALLER: My boyfriend said that nobody has to know.
CLINIC: Right.
CALLER: Right?
CLINIC: Right. The only time there’s parental notification is in the case of an abortion with a minor.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So do you want to schedule for a pregnancy test?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Just a moment, please.
(music)
CLINIC: I do have some openings this afternoon.
CALLER: Oh. Well, I’d have to call my boyfriend to see if I can —
CLINIC: Okay. Otherwise, I’ve got tomorrow or Monday too.
CALLER: You guys have a walk-in thing?
CLINIC: We really request that you call just because, you know, sometimes we have people scheduled during that time and —
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: — it’s kind of a wait. So we recommend that you call.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Ahead. Okay?
CALLER: Okay. Well, is it okay if I call you back?
CLINIC: That’s fine.
CALLER: What was your name?
CLINIC: Lori.
CALLER: Lori? All right. Okay.
CLINIC: Okay. Bye bye.
CALLER: Thanks.
(phone clicks)
***END***
#423 – Planned Parenthood in Fort Madison, IA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
4821 AVENUE O # 2
FORT MADISON, IA 52627-9677
319-372-1130
TAPE – 423
(dialing sounds) (ringing 1X)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. This is Dianna.
CALLER: Hi. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?
CLINIC: We do not, no.
CALLER: Okay. Well, do you know of anybody that does?
CLINIC: If you look in the yellow pages under abortion services, they’re listed.
CALLER: Really?
CLINIC: Uh-huh.
CALLER: Well, do you know like one that’s good?
CLINIC: They’re all good.
CALLER: Really?
CLINIC: Yeah.
CALLER: Okay. Well, could I like — I’m just really scared of everything because like my last period was like December 21st, and I don’t know what to do. But could I come in there for like a pregnancy test?
CLINIC: Okay. Yeah, you can do that. Let me set up an appointment here for you.
CALLER: Okay. You sure that like — I’m just worried because like my friend told me that since like I’ll be 14 in March she said that they would have to — that you guys would have to tell my parents. But —
CLINIC: Well, we don’t, but when you go — you have to have permission from your parents.
CALLER: Oh. Well, my boyfriend’s 22. Could he just give permission?
CLINIC: No. It has to be a parent.
CALLER: Really?
CLINIC: It’s a law in Iowa. Yeah. There is a place in Peoria, and they don’t have to have parental consent.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: But — yeah. It’s quite a ways away. But that’s a possibility for you.
CALLER: I just can’t tell my parents at all.
CLINIC: Um-hum.
CALLER: I mean, I don’t know what they would do if they found out.
CLINIC: Uh-huh.
CALLER: So I don’t —
CLINIC: Well, why don’t you come in for the pregnancy test? What time can you come in, do you think?
CALLER: Probably like tomorrow afternoon.
CLINIC: Okay. I’m not open on Tuesday. I could see you Wednesday.
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: Okay, what time Wednesday?
CALLER: Wednesday afternoon though?
CLINIC: Okay, let me see here. How about 3:30? Would that work?
CALLER: That would probably pretty good.
CLINIC: Okay. What’s your name?
CALLER: It’s Christine.
CLINIC: And your last name?
CALLER: Smith.
CLINIC: Okay.
CALLER: Well, do you know like if the pregnancy test came out that I wasn’t pregnant, do you guys have birth control there?
CLINIC: We do, yes.
CALLER: Well, would you have to tell anybody I was on birth control though?
CLINIC: No. It’s all confidential.
CALLER: Okay. So even if like I’ll be 14 in March you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: No. Uh-uh. Do you — have you been having regular periods?
CALLER: Well, yeah, usually.
CLINIC: Okay. Okay. Well, I have you down Wednesday the 27th at 3:30.
CALLER: Is it all right if my boyfriend’s there with me though?
CLINIC: Sure. That’s not a problem.
CALLER: Okay. Like — so, well, I guess I’ll talk to you later after I talk to my boyfriend. But thanks.
CLINIC: And you know where I’m located?
CALLER: Yeah. He knows.
CLINIC: Okay. We’ll see you then Wednesday.
CALLER: Okay, thanks.
CLINIC: Uh-huh. Bye bye.
(phone clicks)
***END***
#412 – Planned Parenthood in Indianola, IA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
108 W. CLINTON AVE.
INDIANOLA, IA 50125-1813
515-961-0541
TAPE – 412
(dialing sounds) (ringing 1X)
CLINIC: Good afternoon. Ananolis (ph) Planned Parenthood. This is Linda. May I help you?
CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?
CLINIC: No, we do not.
CALLER: Oh. Well, do you know of any place that does?
CLINIC: They do do them at the central location in Des Moines. I could give you that number.
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: It’s 280-7000.
CALLER: Okay. Well, do you — well, do you guys do pregnancy tests there?
CLINIC: Yes, we do.
CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, do you know — like it’s just — I’m just worried about all this because like my friend told me that since like I’m going to be 14 in March, she said that they would have to tell my parents about getting an abortion. And my boyfriend’s 22. Could he just take care of all this and they wouldn’t have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: No. Only one parent has to be notified if you’re under 18.
CALLER: Really?
CLINIC: There is a parental notification law.
CALLER: But I can’t tell anybody. I mean, if they found out that I was having sex with my boyfriend I don’t know what they would do. They can’t find out at all.
CLINIC: That’s the state law.
CALLER: Is there any way not to tell them at all?
CLINIC: Not unless you would go before a judge and ask to have permission to have a bypass for them not to tell your parents.
CALLER: Oh. Well, do I need a lawyer for that?
CLINIC: Yes. You would have to contact, and there’s a number and a pamphlet that we have got.
CALLER: Oh. Well, how much does it cost to get a lawyer?
CLINIC: I think they do it for free. I think it’s through Drake Law School probably, somewhere around there.
CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, is there any reason why a judge would say no for that?
CLINIC: I don’t have any idea. I mean, it would just depend on whether you could convince him that that’s what you wanted to do and what you needed to do without your parents knowing.
CALLER: Well, do you know if he’s ever said no?
CLINIC: I don’t know that.
CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, so, if I come in for a pregnancy test is it all right if my boyfriend’s there with me?
CLINIC: Sure.
CALLER: Okay. Well, say that the pregnancy test ended up being like that I wasn’t pregnant. Do you guys have birth control there?
CLINIC: Yes.
CALLER: But would you guys have to tell anybody that I was on birth control though?
CLINIC: No. That is not something that we have to notify anyone for.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: You can do birth control without —
CALLER: It’s just my boyfriend and I don’t want to have to go through all this again, so.
CLINIC: Right.
CALLER: But if he was there, like we were talking about this and we decided that we don’t want anyone to know about us. If he was there with me would you guys have to have him sign anything or tell anybody?
CLINIC: That he was here with you to get birth control?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: Or the pregnancy test?
CLINIC: No, that is strictly confidential for those things, and that’s up to you if you tell anybody. We don’t.
CALLER: Oh, okay. Okay. Well, so —
CLINIC: Could you hold just a moment while I get my other line?
CALLER: Well, I’ll just — I’m all done I guess.
CLINIC: Okay.
CALLER: Okay, thanks.
(phone clicks)
***END***
#196 – Planned Parenthood in Iowa City, IA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
850 ORCHARD ST.
IOWA CITY, IA 52246-5412
319-354-8000
TAPE – 196
(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood of Iowa City. Can you please hold?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Thanks.
(pause)
CLINIC: Thanks for holding. How can I help you?
CALLER: Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?
CLINIC: We do. Uh-huh.
CALLER: Well, how much does that cost?
CLINIC: Okay, it’s based on your income. Would you be using insurance?
CALLER: Well, no. My boyfriend said he would pay cash.
CLINIC: Okay. What you can do is, the full price is $450.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: You can declare income if you would like, and I can let you know if you’d qualify for a discount.
CALLER: Well, I don’t have a job. Like I’ll be —
CLINIC: What are you living off of then?
CALLER: Huh?
CLINIC: What are you living off of? How are you supported?
CALLER: I live with my parents. I’ll be 14 in March, so.
CLINIC: Okay. Can you hold on just a second?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Thanks.
(pause)
CLINIC: (new person comes to the phone) Hi. Thanks for holding. I can help you. And you said you were 14, is that correct?
CALLER: Well, I’ll be 14 in March.
CLINIC: Okay. And are your parents aware that this is going to take place?
CALLER: Well, no. They can’t find out because like the problem is like my boyfriend’s 22, and we’re going to get married and everything, but they can’t find out because they hate my boyfriend. They think he’s too old for me.
CLINIC: Well, why can’t you get married and have the baby?
CALLER: Well, because we have to —
CLINIC: Like go out of state or something?
CALLER: Well, I don’t know. We just haven’t had a chance to do that yet.
CLINIC: Okay. What are you going to do as far as this judicial bypass goes? That’s what I’m concerned about too because you have to have judge’s permission which is fine. You can get judge’s permission. You have to come to Iowa City and I have to give you another number in which to do that because you go in front of a judge and then he grants permission for you to have an abortion without your parents finding out. My problem is, is that if I were you — and this is just strictly off the record — if I were you I would not say anything about your boyfriend being 22 years old.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: I would be concerned that because he is and because you’re almost 14, that there may be some repercussions there.
CALLER: What do you mean? Like what?
CLINIC: Like they would say, you know, it’s against the law for 22-year-olds to have intercourse with 13, 14-year-olds.
CALLER: But we’re in love. I don’t understand. Like we’re going to get married.
CLINIC: I know. I totally understand. But it’s like the LAW says it’s against the law. You know? I think it’s — I mean, who cares, you know, how old anybody is? That’s my own personal feeling, but the LAW in the state of Iowa says that anybody over 21, over 18 actually can be prosecuted for having intercourse with someone who is under 18.
CALLER: What? I don’t understand. I’ve never heard that before.
CLINIC: Yes.
CALLER: Okay. Well, what can I do?
CLINIC: So —
CALLER: Just go to the judge and —
CLINIC: When you go to this place, you know, you can talk to them. It’s United Action For Youth. They’re really good. Where are you located?
CALLER: I’m in Parnel.
CLINIC: Okay. You’re going to — I’m going to give you this number. This is what you’re going to do. I’m going to give you this number, and you’re going to talk to a woman named Ginny. Can you write this down? You have some place you can write this down?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Her name is Ginny, G-I-N-N-Y.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And the place you’re going to call is United Action For Youth.
CALLER: United Action for Youth?
CLINIC: Correct. Or UAY is what it’s known by.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay, and once you talk, and what you want to talk to Ginny about is, judicial bypass.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: It’s J-U-D-I-C-I-A-L, judicial bypass. That means you’re going to go around your parents permission.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Now you can explain it to Ginny, and Ginny is really good, and she talks to young people all the time. And she can help you to facilitate this I would think.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: But tell her that, you know, you guys are in love, you’re going to eventually get married, but right now if your parents found out that you were pregnant by him that maybe something bad would happen because they hate him.
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: So that’s our main concern is you.
CALLER: Okay. So you guys don’t have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: We do not have to tell anybody. The state of Iowa does not have to tell anybody if you go in front of this judge and you say to the judge, you know, I’m in school. Also, I want to tell you what you have to kind of say to the judge. You have to say, I’m in school, Your Honor. I want to continue with school. I’m involved in activities at school. I make pretty good grades. You have to kind of let him know that you are, you know, an intelligent young woman and that you have, the reason that you’re wanting this abortion is not an hysterical reason. You know what I mean?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: That it’s something that you’ve thought about and that you really feel it’s in your and the baby’s best interest.
CALLER: Yeah. I’ve thought about it. I mean —
CLINIC: Totally.
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Well, that’s what you just want to tell him when you go in front of him. But Ginny will help you with all those things too. And then when was your last period? How far along do you estimate that you are pregnant?
CALLER: Well, like my last period was like the first week in December.
CLINIC: And was that a normal period for you?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. So you just didn’t have a period in January.
CALLER: Right.
CLINIC: And then you haven’t had one in February; is that correct?
CALLER: Right. Not yet.
CLINIC: And do you know the exact date that you had your period in December, or was it just the first week sometime?
CALLER: It was like around the, like the 5th.
CLINIC: And that’s the day it might have started. Is that correct?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. We need to see you by the end of the month obviously. We are next scheduling appointments for next Wednesday.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Which happens to be the 20th.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And we’re also seeing patients on the 27th which is a Wednesday, and then March the 2nd which is a Saturday, and that might be an easier day for you to do. But I just want you to know that I would be a little bit concerned because we’ve got to make sure that you’re within the 13 weeks in order to be eligible for this.
CALLER: Okay. Well, I would have to call my boyfriend to see when he can get off work.
CLINIC: Okay. Did you write those dates down?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay, the 20th, 27th and then March the 2nd.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And I think you would still be eligible on all those days from what you’re telling me as the first day of your last period being the 5th of December. Correct?
CALLER: Well, yeah. Well, so it’s possible that I’m not pregnant do you think?
CLINIC: No. I’m sure it’s not possible.
CALLER: Oh. Well —
CLINIC: Have you had a positive pregnancy test?
CALLER: Well, I took one over the weekend. It was positive. But I don’t know.
CLINIC: Yeah. I’m sure. I’m sure it is.
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: I’m sure it is.
CALLER: Well, like do you guys do pregnancy tests there?
CLINIC: We do.
CALLER: Okay. Would you have to tell anybody about that?
CLINIC: Oh, absolutely not. We don’t tell anybody about anything.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And we could also do an ultrasound to determine how far along you are.
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: Do you think you could come tomorrow? Do you want to check with your boyfriend?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Call back. We’re here until 5:00. And you don’t have to necessarily talk to me. My name is Jill, but you can just tell whoever answers that you want to schedule a pregnancy test and an ultrasound for tomorrow, and they’ll go ahead and schedule it for you.
CALLER: Okay. Like my boyfriend was also wanting to know if we could get birth control too.
CLINIC: Absolutely. We will do all of those things for you.
CALLER: Okay. And you guys don’t have to tell anybody at all if I was pregnant?
CLINIC: Absolutely no one at all, and you will pay cash for this if you have this abortion, and there is no paper trail.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay? And then, let me give you this number of United Action for Youth.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Because you got to start that ball rolling. It is, and they do not have a toll-free number, so it’s going to cost you some money. It’s 319-338-7518. And you call there right now.
CALLER: Okay. Thanks.
CLINIC: All right. Thanks for calling. Bye bye.
CALLER: Bye.
(phone clicks)
***END***
#193 – Planned Parenthood in Keokuk, IA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
206 1/2 N. 7TH ST.
KEOKUK, IA 52632-5529
319-524-2759
TAPE – 193
(dialing sounds) (ringing 2X)
CLINIC: Good afternoon. This is Planned Parenthood. I’m Chelsea. How can I help you?
CALLER: Hi. I was just on the phone with you and my friend’s mom came in and I had to hang up real quick. I’m sorry.
CLINIC: Okay. Here she is. One second.
CALLER: Thanks.
CLINIC: Okay. Hello. This is Lisa, the nurse practitioner.
CALLER: Oh. Hi.
CLINIC: Hi. What can I do for you?
CALLER: Well, I was just like — my friend told me that my parents have to be told before I can have an abortion. Is that true?
CLINIC: Yes, it is.
CALLER: Okay. Is there any way around that? Like I can’t tell them at all because they hate my boyfriend, and if they found out — like well they hate him because — well, we’re going to get married, and he loves me, but like — I don’t know. He just said he was going to take care of me and everything. So they just can’t find out. Like he’s old enough to take care of me. He’s 22. But they can’t find out at all.
CLINIC: Well, if you’re going to get a termination there’s not really much that you can do about it because they will need parent consent. They have to — in order to get a termination or an abortion you have to have parental consent.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay? Or a guardian, whoever is your legal guardian, parental consent or guardian, okay?
CALLER: Well, say that I wasn’t pregnant and like do you guys do birth control there?
CLINIC: Yes, we do.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: We do birth control. Yes, we do.
CALLER: But you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: Yes, I do.
CALLER: You do? About birth control?
CLINIC: If I know — no, not about the birth control, but if you come in and tell me your boyfriend is 22 years old, I have to turn him in for sexual abuse.
CALLER: What? But we’re in love. I don’t understand.
CLINIC: If you come in and you don’t tell me, you know, that your boyfriend is 22 years old, I don’t know how old your boyfriend is. You know? I mean, that’s none of my business. But if you come in and you tell me that your boyfriend is 22 years old, he’s going to get charged for statutory rape first of all.
CALLER: Like what could happen?
CLINIC: What could happen?
CALLER: Yeah. Well, would he get in trouble?
CLINIC: He could get in trouble, yeah. I mean, I don’t know. Yes, he — there is a possibility that he could get in trouble. I know — do your parents know that — your parents evidently do not know that you’re dating a 22-year-old man, right?
CALLER: Well, they just don’t like him. I mean, they know him.
CLINIC: Oh, they know that you guys are dating and having sex and everything?
CALLER: Well, no, but —
CLINIC: (laughs) Okay. Well, it sounds like you do need to get on some type of birth control definitely, okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: All right?
CALLER: But you guys wouldn’t have to tell my parents about that?
CLINIC: No. We do not tell parents about birth control. No, we do not.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Now if you were pregnant, we wouldn’t even tell them that, okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: All right? I mean, that’s something that you’ll have to — you would have to tell them. But if you want to get an abortion which we do not do here, and you’re under the age of 18, you have to have parental consent. Your parents have to know that you’re getting an abortion in the state of Iowa.
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: Now in Illinois I don’t think that they have to know, but in Iowa if you go anywhere in Iowa they have to know. They have to know about it.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay. Well, do you know like what I could do if I wanted to go to Illinois?
CLINIC: If you wanted to go to Illinois? You could come in and get a pregnancy test first of all. Then we could determine if you’re pregnant or not. Then we can give you a list of abortion facilities in the area.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: But like if I came in and got a pregnancy test you guys wouldn’t have to tell my parents about that?
CLINIC: No, I would not tell your parents you had a pregnancy test, no.
CALLER: Okay. So nobody would have to know at all?
CLINIC: No one would have to know at all. You’re exactly right.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Do you — would you like to call back later and make an appointment for a pregnancy test?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Why don’t you do that? And then if you want to make an appointment for an annual exam, why don’t you go ahead and do that also? Okay? All right? An exam would be so we could get you started on some birth control if you’re not pregnant. That would probably be the best route to go.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: All right.
CALLER: Thank you.
CLINIC: Thank you. Bye bye.
(phone clicks)
***END***
#195 – Planned Parenthood in Le Mars, IA
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
27 PLYMOUTH ST. NW
LE MARS, IA 51031-3522
712-546-4030
TAPE – 195
(dialing sounds) (ringing 2X)
CLINIC: Thank you for calling Le Mars Planned Parenthood. This is Nicki.
CALLER: Hi. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?
CLINIC: We don’t have abortion services available here. We do have referrals as far as where you can go though.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Are you needing those services or just need information about them, or —
CALLER: Well, I just have a lot of questions but I’m pretty sure I need to do this.
CLINIC: Okay. What I’ll do, I can give you the Sioux City phone number. They would have more information for you.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: They do have abortion services available there, so they can answer probably a few more questions than what I can. Are you calling long distance? Do you need an 800 number?
CALLER: No.
CLINIC: Okay. Is Sioux City local for you?
CALLER: Yeah, it’s fine.
CLINIC: Okay. It would be 276-6290.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And the staff there should be able to answer any questions. If you have any other questions too, certainly give me a call and I’ll try to help you out.
CALLER: Oh. Well, is it all right if I ask you now?
CLINIC: Sure.
CALLER: Well like, my main question is like is there like an age requirement or anything to have an abortion?
CLINIC: There is no age requirement. There is a state law that has — it’s called parental notification law for anyone that is 17 and under. What that is, is where they would need to contact a family member, usually I think it has to be like a parent or a guardian. Sometimes I think it can be like a grandparent possibly, but you’ll have to talk with them just to make sure that that’s up to date. But they just need to notify them somehow or —
CALLER: Is there any way not to do that? Because like my parents can’t find out at all. It’s just — the problem is, my boyfriend, he’s 22. And we’re in love, and we’re going to get married, but my parents hate him because they think he’s too old for me, and they just can’t find out at all.
CLINIC: Okay. There is one other way. It would have — it’s called judicial bypass where you would need to go in front of a judge and just let the judge know why you feel that you’re responsible enough and old enough that you can make this decision for yourself without your parents knowing.
CALLER: Would I need to get a lawyer for that?
CLINIC: There is a lawyer that would be assigned to you.
CALLER: Oh, all right.
CLINIC: So it would be — I don’t believe it’s any cost to you. It would be something that the county or the state wherever you would go would provide that lawyer with you.
CALLER: Like what if the judge said no?
CLINIC: Then you would have to have the parents notified.
CALLER: Oh. But does that happen a lot?
CLINIC: You know, it just varies from place to place. It depends on what judge you get. So, and I’m not familiar with how it’s been going around here. But the Sioux City clinic could tell you a little bit better on what you can do. We also have a staff attorney that you could talk to too if you have any questions.
CALLER: Well, is it okay if my boyfriend brings me to get like a pregnancy test?
CLINIC: Sure. You can come in. Yeah. You can come in on your own for just a pregnancy test if you’d like to or he can bring you. It doesn’t matter.
CALLER: Would anybody have to know that I’m getting a pregnancy test?
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: No?
CLINIC: All of our services are confidential. The parental notification thing is a state law that we need to follow, so that’s why we would need to follow that. But otherwise any other medical services that you would get here are completely confidential no matter how old you are.
CALLER: Like my boyfriend was also wanting to know like about birth control too. Do you guys do that?
CLINIC: Yes. Yes, we could talk to you about that. It’s — I mean, if you are considering having an abortion you might want to talk with the Sioux City clinic first because they would normally do all of that with you too anyway. So I mean, you might just save you a trip too, so you can talk with them and schedule that too. I mean, we could certainly do it here, but you know what I mean they’re going to want to do that when you, if you would go to Sioux City or whatever clinic that you would go to. They’d want to do that there too.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Are you from this area where Sioux City would be the closest for you, or —
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay, because I was going to say there is also Sioux Falls Planned Parenthood and there’s also a clinic in Omaha that we sometimes refer to as far as the closest locations to here anyway.
CALLER: Okay. Well like if I was on birth control, would you guys have to tell anybody about that either?
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: That’s a service that is confidential.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: So is it all right if I like call you back or whatever?
CLINIC: Sure. Did I already give you the Sioux City number?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. And I can give you their 800 number too. I don’t know if —
CALLER: That’s all right.
CLINIC: Okay. Okay. And they’re open until 5:00 today, so you could certainly call there and ask them any questions too.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Thanks.
CLINIC: Uh-huh. Bye.
(phone clicks)
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