#147 – Planned Parenthood in Warren, MI
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
35932 DEQUINDRE RD.
WARREN, MI 48091
586-758-2100
TAPE – 147
(dialing sound) (ringing 1X)
RECORDING: Thank you for calling the Warren Planned Parenthood Medical Center. If you know the extension of the person you are calling, you may dial it at any time. For a list of office hours, location directions or medical emergency number, please press 1. For pregnancy testing and emergency contraception information, please press 2. For company directory, please press 9, or to speak to an operator please press zero. Thank you. (dial sound) Please hold while I try that extension.
(music)
RECORDING: Planned Parenthood offers low-cost sports physicals. Speak to a Planned Parenthood representative today about an appointment for you and your team.
(music)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. Margaret speaking. Can I help you?
CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there.
CLINIC: We do not do them here right now, but we can give you a name of a place that does.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Hold on one second, okay?
CALLER: Okay.
(pause)
CLINIC: Where do you live?
CALLER: I live in Livonia.
CLINIC: Okay. There is a place called Woman Care in Livonia. And the number there is 734-261-4500.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay. Good luck.
CALLER: Oh, well —
CLINIC: Go ahead.
CALLER: I actually just have a lot of questions because I don’t know what to do, but.
CLINIC: Sure.
CALLER: Like my friend told me that you guys have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion. Is that true?
CLINIC: How old are you?
CALLER: Well, I’ll be 14 in March.
CLINIC: No, but you would have to get what’s called a judicial bypass, and the clinic can help you with that, but you need to go before a judge and then he’ll decide, you know, that you can proceed with this without your parents’ permission. He has to talk to you, or he or she needs to talk to you briefly.
CALLER: Would there be any reason why they wouldn’t let me?
CLINIC: Not that I know of. I’ve never been though that process, but from what I understand they — it’s mostly a formality, but they just want to be sure that you’re making the right decision.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: It’s a law you have to do that.
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: If you’re under 18.
CALLER: Okay. Well, it’s just — I can’t tell — like the reason why I can’t tell my parents is because like my boyfriend is — he’s 22, but 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.
CLINIC: Yeah. Well, but, you would have to do — if you wanted to get an abortion you’d have to go through that process, but they can help you with that. They’ll give you all the information that you need to do that.
CALLER: Okay. Would it be okay if my boyfriend brought me there?
CLINIC: To the judicial bypass you mean?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: I’m sure it would be, but they could give you more information about that.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: They’ll tell you how to get ahold of somebody.
CALLER: Okay. Well, like do you guys do birth control where you’re at?
CLINIC: Oh, yes, we do.
CALLER: And like there’s — it’s all right if I’m only 13?
CLINIC: Hold on one second.
CLINIC (Talking To Another Employee): Fran, can they be 13 years old and start on birth control? (Answer: 12 and up.)
CLINIC: Yes, if you’re 12 or older you can come without your parents.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC (Talking To Another Employee): Without parents, right? (Right)
CLINIC: Right.
CALLER: Okay. So you guys wouldn’t tell anybody if I was on birth control?
CLINIC: Oh, no.
CALLER: Okay. Well, would it be okay if —
CLINIC: The Livonia clinic also.
CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, I just don’t want anybody to see me, so.
CLINIC: Oh, would you rather come to Warren then?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Is that what you’re saying?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Do you want to make it — well, you’re pregnant right now?
CALLER: Well, I think so.
CLINIC: Oh. Do you want to come in for a pregnancy test?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Hold on one second. Okay?
CALLER: All right.
(pause)
CLINIC: Are you still there?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: I’m going to let you talk to our manager, and she’ll help you make that appointment. Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: It would be good for you to come in for a pregnancy test, and that way you can discuss your options.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: — with somebody here. Okay? Hold on one second.
CALLER: Thanks.
CLINIC: Hi, are you there?
CALLER: Uh-huh.
CLINIC: I forgot. You don’t need an appointment. You can just walk in for a pregnancy test.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay? You know where we’re located?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. We’re open from 9:00 to 3:30.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So any time in that time you can come in.
CALLER: All right. Thanks.
CLINIC: You’re welcome.
CALLER: Bye.
(Phone Clicks)
***END***
#782 – Northland Family Planning Center West – The Health Center For Women in Westland, MI
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
NORTHLAND FAMILY PLANNING CENTER WEST- THE HEALTH CENTER FOR WOMEN
35000 FORD RD.
WESTLAND, MI 48185
734-721-4700
TAPE – 782
(Dialing, phone ringing 2X)
CLINIC: Northland (?) Family Planning. This is Liz. How can I help you.
CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was calling to see if you guys do abortions there.
CLINIC: We do.
CALLER: Okay. Well, how much does it cost for that?
CLINIC: You’re a student?
CALLER: Well, I’m homeschooled.
CLINIC: Our fee for under 12 weeks is $285.
CALLER: Okay. Well, how do you know how many weeks you are?
CLINIC: Well, you can use your last period or that day we do an ultra sound as well.
CALLER: Okay, well my last period was January 3rd.
CLINIC: Okay. So right now you’re about nine weeks into the pregnancy.
CALLER: Okay. So it would be that price that you said?
CLINIC: 285, yes.
CALLER: Okay. It’s just I’m kind of worried because like my friend told me that since like I’m going to be 14 later on this month, she said that you guys would have to tell my parents. But my boyfriend’s 22. Is he old enough to take care of it, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: How old are you?
CALLER: I’m 13. I’ll be 14 on the 19th.
CLINIC: If you want to do it without your parents knowing, you’d have to come in and get paperwork from us.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: We’d give you names of lawyers to call. And you would have to contact a lawyer, they’d go in front of a judge with you, and the judge can give you permission. That’s the only way you can do it.
CALLER: How much does it cost to do that?
CLINIC: It’s free.
CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, does the judge always give permission?
CLINIC: Well, you have to go through the information. The judge interviews you because they want to make sure that you are mature enough and that you understand, you know, the decision that you’re making and the complications and the risks involved. And we give you all that information. So if you read it, then you can answer the judge’s questions.
CALLER: Okay. So you think he would say yes?
CLINIC: Yep. Now, you said that you’re 13?
CALLER: Right.
CLINIC: And your boyfriend is?
CALLER: He’s 22.
CLINIC: Are your parents aware of that?
CALLER: Well, yeah. I mean, they know we’re going out. He works with my dad. But they don’t know we’re having sex. I mean, if they found out about that I don’t know what they would do. They can’t find out at all.
CLINIC: Okay.
CALLER: So if I was talking to the lawyer and the judge, would they have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: No. But you want to talk to your lawyer once you meet him.
CALLER: Okay. So could I come in there for a pregnancy test just to make sure?
CLINIC: Have you taken one at home?
CALLER: No.
CLINIC: Okay, yeah. You can come in.
CALLER: Okay. Well, are the ones you take at home usually right though?
CLINIC: Yeah, they’re very accurate.
CALLER: Oh. Well, are the ones that you have better?
CLINIC: No, they’re the same.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: But if you’re going to go in front of a judge, you have to come in and get the paperwork that you need.
CALLER: Okay. And I can just do like a pregnancy test then?
CLINIC: Yep.
CALLER: Okay. Well, if it turned out that I wasn’t pregnant, could I get birth control from you guys?
CLINIC: You have to have a pap smear.
CALLER: Okay. How much does it cost for that?
CLINIC: Sixty dollars.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: They’ll give you all your pills for free.
CALLER: Okay. But would you have to tell anybody if I was on birth control though?
CLINIC: No, no, no.
CALLER: Oh, okay. It’s just me and my boyfriend have been talking about this a lot, and we don’t want anyone to know about us. If he was paying for everything, would he have to sign any forms or anything?
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: Okay. All right. When do you normally do the pregnancy test?
CLINIC: Where do you live?
CALLER: I live in Lavonia.
CLINIC: You want to come into our Westland office today before 4:30?
CALLER: Well, how long does it take?
CLINIC: You’re here about half an hour.
CALLER: Well, I have to call my boyfriend and see if he can get the time off work right now. But I think so. Should I just call you back after I call him?
CLINIC: You can just come in, as long as you’re here before 4:30 or tomorrow we’re open until 4:30 again.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: All right?
CALLER: All right. Thanks.
***END***
#316 – Planned Parenthood in White Cloud, MI
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
PO BOX 8305
WHITE CLOUD, MI 49349
231-689-7310
TAPE – 316
(Dialing, phone ringing 2X)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. This is Deb. How may I help you?
CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there.
CLINIC: We do not. We can do pregnancy tests and let people know they’re pregnant and give them information about where they could go. But we don’t provide abortions here.
CALLER: Oh, okay. So like if I came in for a pregnancy test, like do you have to be a specific age for that? Like I’ll be 14 in March.
CLINIC: Well, you can get a pregnancy test no matter what your age is. But in order to get one in Michigan if you’re a teenager, until you’re 18 you need permission from a parent or a guardian.
CALLER: Well, my boyfriend’s 22. Could he just give you permission?
CLINIC: No, it would have to be a parent or a guardian. That’s just for the abortion part. To get a pregnancy test you don’t need permission.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: But to terminate, yes. You would have to have permission. You can go through a special procedure where you go to the court and you ask a judge to let you make that decision. And it’s done privately, so your parents don’t even need to know. So there is a way you can get an abortion without their knowledge, but it’s a special procedure you have to go through.
CALLER: Well, how much does that cost?
CLINIC: Abortions —
CALLER: Well, like the —
CLINIC: Oh that? No, that’s free to you. Abortions cost, you know, between 350 and 400 depending on how far along you are. How late are you for a period right now?
CALLER: Well, like my last period was like December 14th so.
CLINIC: December? Okay. If you’re more than 12 weeks pregnant, then the price is higher than that though.
CALLER: Okay. Well, my boyfriend said he would pay for it so.
CLINIC: Okay. So you’re 13 right now?
CALLER: Yeah. I’ll be 14 in March.
CLINIC: In March?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. So do you want to plan to come in for a test?
CALLER: Yeah, but I need to call him to see when he could take me. He was going to take me. Is that okay?
CLINIC: Yeah, sure, no problem. Now, we are open tomorrow, but we’re not open Friday, Saturday or Sunday. If you came in tomorrow that would be fine, and we could do it —
CALLER: Like tomorrow afternoon?
CLINIC: Sure. If you come before 4:00, then we could go ahead and do the test for you tomorrow.
CALLER: Okay. Well, you guys wouldn’t have to tell anybody about anything?
CLINIC: That depends.
CALLER: What do you mean?
CLINIC: Well, I mean not necessarily about you being pregnant. But when you’re talking to me about you being 13 and him 22, that’s a different issue.
CALLER: Who would you have to tell?
CLINIC: It’s illegal for him to have sex with you because he’s an adult.
CALLER: Why is it illegal? I mean, we’re in love. We’re going to get married.
CLINIC: I know. But you’re 13. And so the state says that you can’t make decisions like that when you’re younger than 16. It’s a gray area, and so I really can’t tell anything without talking to you directly, person to person kind of thing.
CALLER: Well, would you guys tell if I came in?
CLINIC: It’s a possibility. And I say that very hesitantly because I don’t want you to not come in. You know, I mean, it’s important if you pregnant that you get —
CALLER: Well, I just don’t want to get him in trouble or anything.
CLINIC: I understand that. Do your parents know about your relationship with him?
CALLER: Well, they know him, but they just don’t like him.
CLINIC: Yeah. They don’t know you guys are having sex or anything?
CALLER: No, not at all.
CLINIC: Sure, sure. And I understand that, you know, you care a lot about him. The problem is because he’s so much older than you and, you know, because in the law’s eyes you’re still considered a child even though you’re agreeing to it. Now I can’t say that they would prosecute him for that. You know, I’m just saying that it becomes a gray area for us or anywhere you go – no matter where you go. If you go for health care anywhere and you tell them, then it’s a possibility that it’s going to raise a lot of red flags for people.
CALLER: Well, how could I get a pregnancy test if he can’t bring me in? I don’t have any way else to get there.
CLINIC: He can bring you in. I mean, that’s not a problem.
CALLER: But would you guys tell on him if he was there?
CLINIC: Well, I mean it doesn’t matter if he’s there or not. If you tell me that you’re having sex with somebody’s who’s 22 and you’re 13, there’s a good possibility we would have to report that.
CALLER: What if I didn’t say anything?
CLINIC: See that’s what I’m afraid you’re going to do (laughing), and that’s why I didn’t want to have to tell you that. But I felt like I needed to be honest with you too. You know, I mean it’s important that you get care, and I don’t want to frighten you off from getting care. That’s the primary thing. And like I said, I mean it’s a very gray area. You know, I mean even though the state says 16, they of course aren’t going to go after a girl who’s 15 if her boyfriend’s 19, you know that kind of thing. A lot of it has to do with the age difference. So you guys are looking at nine years age difference. He’s an adult person. And so —
CALLER: Well, like if I wasn’t pregnant like after we do the pregnancy test, do you have birth control there that I could do?
CLINIC: We sure do.
CALLER: And would you have to tell anybody that I was on birth control?
CLINIC: No. Teenagers do not need consent, even at 13, to get on birth control. No problem.
CALLER: Oh, okay. So you wouldn’t have to report it to anyone?
CLINIC: Can’t guarantee that.
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: And I know that as I say that, there’s a good possibility that you’re not going to show up for your pregnancy test, especially when you talk to him, you know, because that could frighten him too if he thought that he was going to be reported. But when you tell me that you’re 13 and he’s 22, it makes my heart hurt. You know, it makes me sad. I mean and he may be the greatest guy in the world.
CALLER: Yeah. I mean, he’s a sweetheart.
CLINIC: But the reality is he’s 22 and you’re 13. And with a nine-year age difference like that, you know, he is an adult having sex with a child.
CALLER: Well, is there anyplace else that I could go?
CLINIC: Sure. I mean, there’s lots of places. But I’m not alone in that. By law, we are required to report instances where children are being exploited, I guess would be the best word. It’s a fancy word, but it basically means that someone may be taking advantage of the situation.
CALLER: But nobody’s taking advantage of me. I mean, we’re in love. We’re going to get married.
CLINIC: Well, you can’t get married without permission before you’re 18. And that’s a long way off for you.
CALLER: Oh. I mean, he’s not taking advantage of me.
CLINIC: I mean I understand that. It’s just that legally it’s not seen that way because — because there’s such an age difference. Because he’s an adult and you are 13, it’s kind of automatically assumed that he’s taking advantage of you because of that age difference; that he’s using his adult status to kind of take advantage of the situation. So that’s how the court looks at it, how the legal system looks at it. And by law, anywhere you go — no matter whether it’s to your doctor, to your high school counselor, anywhere — if you report that, then that’s a possibility.
CALLER: Should I just not tell anybody?
CLINIC: No, I don’t think so, because I would hate to see you not get health care. It’s a problem. I mean, you need to find out whether you’re pregnant. And if you’re not pregnant, you surely need to be on birth control. So it’s kind of like a double-edge thing. You know? And there are no guarantees he would be in trouble. Surely I would imagine they would listen to your side of it. I mean, that must be something that has crossed his mind. I can’t believe it has not crossed his mind that he could get in trouble for your relationship. Has he never said anything like that before? He’s never asked you to keep your relationship with him quiet or anything like that?
CALLER: Well, I don’t —
CLINIC: I mean, other than from your parents, which makes sense. But he’s never said to you, you can’t tell anybody about us or anything like that?
CALLER: Well, he just doesn’t want anyone to know.
CLINIC: That’s why. That’s why.
CALLER: But he loves me.
CLINIC: I know he does. I’m sure he cares about you. But he also knows the reality that he could get in trouble for your relationship. And that’s why he’s asking you to keep quiet about it.
CALLER: Is there anything that I could do? I’m just scared. I don’t know what to do.
CLINIC: I know. I know. This is a very difficult time. I just felt like I needed to be up front with you too. I mean, I really don’t want to see you run away from getting your health care.
CALLER: Well, I have a cousin that lives in Chicago. Is it different there?
CLINIC: Probably not. I mean, rules from state to state differ somewhat, but basic rules, you know, are not going to be different. If at any point your relationship with him comes into the open, there is a possibility that he could get into trouble. And that could be if you tried to get married, if you wanted to just have the baby, if you decided to have an abortion. Any part of that could force that to happen. Has he told you that he wants you to get birth control or doesn’t want you to get —
CALLER: Yeah, he wants me to. We can’t go through all this again.
CLINIC: Sure. And you said December was your last period, huh?
CALLER: Yeah. So we’re like really scared.
CLINIC: Yeah, I don’t blame you. Well, I think you need to have a real serious discussion with him about it. And he’ll probably say, yeah, I’ll know.
CALLER: Well, that’s all we’ve been talking about lately.
CLINIC: I mean about him getting into trouble though. That’s the part I’m talking about, that as we talked, that this is what kind of came out in our conversation. But you know, you need health care too. And that’s very important. And you know, even if you weren’t going to get an abortion and you wanted to just keep this baby yourself, at your age you need health care as soon as you can. So no matter which way you go, you need to be seen fairly quickly.
CALLER: Well, what do you think I should do then?
CLINIC: I’d love you to come in (chuckle). I really want you to come in and get a test.
CALLER: Oh. But you would have to tell, right?
CLINIC: I have to say it’s pretty strong that I would, yeah. I feel almost as stuck as you. I can’t feel possibly as stuck as you about this. But it would have been very easy for me to lie to you and just tell you, okay, yeah come in, bring him too, one big party, you know? And that wouldn’t have been honest of me to do that. And so I don’t want to do that.
CALLER: Okay. Thank you.
CLINIC: But please, please don’t stay away from health care because of this. Now I know you love him. If he loves you he’s going to want the best for your health. And that’s not going to be hiding. It’s going to be coming forward. And if he loves you and he’s not afraid of that, then he’s going to step up to the plate and take responsibility, one way or the other. He’s going to take responsibility for the relationship, he’s going to take responsibility if you’re pregnant.
CALLER: Well, could he go to jail and not be there ever again?
CLINIC: No, it’s not something you go away for life for or anything like that. I don’t know what kind of trouble he could get into. Because surely, the court system takes into account the fact that he did not force you. You know, it’s not like it was a rape. Legally they use the word “rape.” Sometimes they call it statutory rape because you’re having sex before you’re old enough to consent to it. But they would definitely take that into consideration and just look at the case. I can’t make you any promises one way or the other.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay? But I really would like to have you come in.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So talk to him. Please come in. I will not be here tomorrow, but there’s another woman, Melissa, who will know about this, you know, the basic information about you needing a pregnancy test here. And she’s a wonderful person to talk to, so you’ll find her very helpful too.
CALLER: Okay. But you won’t tell her about my boyfriend or anything?
CLINIC: I can’t say that.
CALLER: Oh. All right.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Give us a call and come in please.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: All righty. Bye bye.
CALLER: Bye.
***END***
#319 – Planned Parenthood in Wyoming, MI
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
3641 BYRON CENTER AVE. SW
WYOMING, MI 49509-3665
616-531-3070
TAPE – 319
(dialing sounds) (ringing 4X)
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. This is Cathy. Can I help you?
CALLER: Yeah. Did I just talk to you?
CLINIC: I’m not sure. What is it about?
CALLER: Well, I was wondering if you guys do abortions.
CLINIC: No, we don’t.
CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, do you guys — is this the one on Jerry Street?
CLINIC: No, it’s not.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: Jerry Street doesn’t do them either.
CALLER: Oh.
CLINIC: We can give you a number that does.
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: It’s called Heritage Clinic, and the number is 458-3694.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Well, could I ask you a real quick question?
CLINIC: Uh-huh.
CALLER: Like, well I’m just worried because like my friend told me that — like I’ll be 14 in March, and she said that my parents would have to sign some stuff. But my boyfriend’s 22. Could he sign whatever it is?
CLINIC: Probably not. You need parental consent.
CALLER: Oh. Is there any way not to tell them?
CLINIC: Not in the state of Michigan.
CALLER: Really?
CLINIC: Um-hum.
CALLER: Okay. Well, like — so is it okay like to get a — like I’m not really sure if I am pregnant, but could I come into there to get a pregnancy test?
CLINIC: Yeah. You’d have to make an appointment.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And if you can be here at 4:15 I can get you in today.
CALLER: Well, I’d have to call my boyfriend to see when he can bring me, but — I’m just scared because like my last period was like December 14. So.
CLINIC: Okay. Oh, yeah. Can you come Friday?
CALLER: I’d have to call and see if he can get off work, but what time on Friday?
CLINIC: I got an 11:15.
CALLER: Okay. We might be able to do that one.
CLINIC: Okay. Why don’t you call me back and let me know what day he has available, and we’ll try to go that way.
CALLER: Okay. Well, do you know if anybody has to know that I’m getting a pregnancy test?
CLINIC: What do you mean?
CALLER: Well, do you have to tell anybody that I’m getting a pregnancy test at all?
CLINIC: No. This is all confidential.
CALLER: Okay. It’s just my friend said you guys have to tell my parents, so.
CLINIC: No. No. If your parents even call we cannot — we can’t even tell them that you’re here, your name or you’re a client.
CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, if the pregnancy test was negative, do you guys have birth control there?
CLINIC: Yep. Then you’d have to set up a separate appointment to come in for an exam.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Then they set you up on birth control.
CALLER: Well, how long does the exam take?
CLINIC: It takes — we leave an hour slot.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So anywhere from up to an hour.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Usually.
CALLER: Okay. It’s just, my boyfriend doesn’t want to go through all this again, so like would you guys have to tell anybody that I was getting birth control?
CLINIC: No. Everything is confidential. We don’t tell anybody anything.
CALLER: All right. Okay. Thanks.
CLINIC: Um-hum.
CALLER: Bye.
(phone clicks)
***END***
#68 – Planned Parenthood in Ypsilanti, MI
Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
840 MAUS AVE.
YPSILANTI, MI 48198-5813
734-973-0155
TAPE – 068
RECORDING: Thank you for calling Planned Parenthood. For the medical clinic, including appointments, press 1. Please hold, while I transfer your call to the Appointment Center.
CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. Can I help you?
CALLER: Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?
CLINIC: Yes, we do.
CALLER: Well, how much does it cost?
CLINIC: Up to 12-and-a-half weeks, they cost $300.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And after that, the charge goes up by $100. We do them through 14-and-a-half weeks.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Have you had a positive pregnancy test?
CALLER: Well, I took one over the weekend, and it said it was positive.
CLINIC: Okay. Do you know when the first day of your last normal period was?
CALLER: Not really. Well, it was before Christmas. I guess it was like probably the first week in December.
CLINIC: Okay. But you think you did have one in December?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. That would put you right now at about 10 weeks.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So, basically, at the $300 price you would have up until pretty much the last day of this month.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: It would be a surgical procedure. And what would happen is — this is for you I’m assuming, right?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. That you would come into the clinic on the day of the surgery, and we do a pre-counseling session with everybody. And then they would do some lab work, and then the procedure, which itself is very quick. It only takes about five to seven minutes. And the doctor would dilate your cervix, and then use a small vacuum to remove the contents of the uterus. And then afterwards, you’d go to the recovery room for about a half an hour to 45 minutes where we monitor your blood pressure and make sure that everything’s okay.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And we send you home with some antibiotics and some instructions for after care. And then we’d have you come back in two weeks afterwards to make sure that everything is okay.
CALLER: Okay. Well, I was actually told — like my friend told me that you guys have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion. Is that true?
CLINIC: How old are you?
CALLER: I’m going to be 14 in March.
CLINIC: Yes. We definitely need your parents’ consent. We have — do you think that would be possible?
CALLER: No. I can’t tell my parents at all. They can’t know. Like, my boyfriend’s 22, and we’re planning to get married. But they can’t find out because they hate him, because they think he’s too old. But if they find out that we were having sex at all, they’d get mad.
CLINIC: Right. Okay. Well, in these kinds of situations, we also have something called the “judicial bypass,” which is where you come to the clinic, and one of the counselors will take you before a judge and a courtroom here. And the judge basically gives a legal bypass that replaces your parents’ signature, so they wouldn’t have to know about it. And that usually happens on the same day of the procedure.
CALLER: Well, is there any way that the judge would say no for any reason?
CLINIC: It hasn’t happened in Washtenaw County here. It does happen. You know, it really does depend on the judge.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: You know, in other counties they’re not so favorable, but here they tend to be very good.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So what I would probably have you do is — let me just see when we could schedule you for the appointment.
CALLER: Okay. Well like, to go to the judge, do I have to like pay a lawyer or anything?
CLINIC: No, no, no. There’s no charge. You just — you would go with one of our staff members here. One of our counselors would take you.
CALLER: And he wouldn’t tell my parents either?
CLINIC: No. It’s totally confidential.
CALLER: All right. Okay. So like no one —
CLINIC: No one at all would know, outside of you and the people who perform the procedure here at the clinic.
CALLER: Okay. So a lawyer doesn’t have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: There is no lawyer.
CALLER: There’s no lawyer?
CLINIC: It’s just you in front of a judge.
CALLER: Does the judge have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: No. No. It’s totally confidential. That’s why it’s — it’s a legal way of doing it without your parents’ consent.
CALLER: Okay. Say, like, I wasn’t pregnant — like maybe that pregnancy test I did, I guess I did it right. Like, say I wasn’t pregnant, would there be any way to get birth control from you guys?
CLINIC: Oh yeah, absolutely.
CALLER: And you guys wouldn’t have to tell my parents about that either?
CLINIC: No, no, no. For that you don’t need anything. You don’t. I mean, it doesn’t matter how old you are. It’s totally confidential.
CALLER: Okay. And you wouldn’t have to tell anyone about my boyfriend or anything?
CLINIC: Nothing at all. We tell nobody about anything. We’re very careful about that.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Absolutely. That’s one of our biggest priorities. So you wouldn’t have to worry about that.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: I’m going to have you talk with a woman named Tarb (ph) who is our counselor. She’s the one that would be taking you in front of the judge.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay. Can you hang on for me for a second?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Thanks.
(pause)
CLINIC: I haven’t forgotten about you.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Tarb just left, but we’re trying to figure out when to schedule you.
CALLER: Okay. What was your name?
CLINIC: Her name is Tarb, T-a-r-b.
CALLER: Well, what was your name?
CLINIC: My name is Sarah.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: Oh, she’s here. Just hold on one second.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: Hold on just one second.
(pause)
CALLER: Hi.
CLINIC: We’re just figure this stuff out.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: I was just talking to her. She has to run out the door. But she will talk to you in the next couple of days.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Let me tell you how things are looking right now. The judge is not here this week.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: We’re talking about next Friday is going to be the appointment.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay. I assume you go to school.
CALLER: Well, I’m home-schooled.
CLINIC: Okay. All right. Well, is that going to be a problem with your mom?
CALLER: No.
CLINIC: Because you’re going to need to be gone — you’re going to need to come in here on Thursday morning for your pre-counseling.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And you’re going to need to be here Friday most of the day.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Do you have a pencil with you?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Actually, you know what, let me make these appointments in the computer, and then I’ll tell you as I’m doing it.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: We’re looking at the 22nd.
CALLER: And you’re sure you don’t have to tell my mom or anything?
CLINIC: I’m positive about that.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: What Tarb said is that, in front of the judge — you know, it’s up to the judge to decide about the judicial bypass. She said it has happened in history that he has said no, but generally not. Basically, he decides whether you’re mature enough to make this decision for yourself.
CALLER: Oh, okay. So nobody will know ever?
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Never, never. We’re having to sort of fit you in, so it’s a little complicated.
CALLER: Oh. Actually, I was worried about like anyone — is any going to find out about my boyfriend at all or anything?
CLINIC: No. No, not at all.
CALLER: No?
CLINIC: Nothing that we know gets told to anybody else.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: Okay? So it’s almost as if you’re not telling it to anybody.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay? Because nothing is going to happen. What you probably will need is for him to bring you here.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: You’re going to need somebody to bring you to the clinic.
CALLER: Yeah, he’d be the only one that could bring me.
CLINIC: But we consider that none of our business.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: I’m going to have to ask you to wait for one more second because I’m not seeing what I looked for, but I’ll get right back with you.
CALLER: Okay.
(pause)
CLINIC: Alright. You know what? Before we go any further, can you give me your name?
CALLER: My name is Christine Smith.
CLINIC: That’s C-h-r-i-s?
CALLER: Uh-hun.
CLINIC: Okay. Christine Smith. And is there a phone number where we can reach you, either your cell phone or your boyfriend’s?
CALLER: No, not that I know of.
CLINIC: We need to have some way to get in touch with you, because if the judge isn’t there, Tarb is going to need to talk to you.
CALLER: Oh. Is it cool if I call you back?
CLINIC: Um —
CALLER: Like tomorrow?
CLINIC: You can do that, but Tarb is going to need a phone number. It doesn’t have to be —
CALLER: Can I give you the number tomorrow?
CLINIC: Yeah.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Yeah, you can give it tomorrow. I’m going to put a note in her box tonight with your name, and I’ll tell her that you’ll call tomorrow with a phone number.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: It doesn’t have to be yours; it can be anybody’s.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And we can even use a code name. We just need some way to get in touch with you, okay?
CALLER: Do you think my boyfriend’s too old or anything?
CLINIC: You know what, that’s not really up for me to say.
CALLER: Oh, all right.
CLINIC: Because I don’t know you, and I don’t know him. You know, I would just —
CALLER: So 22 is not old or anything? Like my parents think that it’s too old, and I just don’t understand why.
CLINIC: I think the most important thing is how he treats you.
CALLER: Yeah. Well, we’re in love. We’re going to get married.
CLINIC: Right. Yeah. I mean, you know, give it some time. I think at your age, that many years between you is a big difference. But, you know, as you get older you can see how it works out. And you know, the most important thing is that he treats you well.
CALLER: Yeah, he’s a sweetheart.
CLINIC: But that’s what we would care about.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: But otherwise, that’s a decision that you make in your private life so.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: And I think Tarb may ask you about that, and may sort of ask you how you came to make the decision. And you can ask her questions too.
CALLER: Okay. Would I have to tell a judge about him or anything?
CLINIC: I don’t think so. I don’t think that matters.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: I don’t think it’s part of the thing, really.
CALLER: The thing?
CLINIC: The decision.
CALLER: Oh, okay.
CLINIC: I don’t think it’s part of that. Let me ask you. We’re talking about Thursday the 21st. Okay? And this is for your pre-counseling appointment.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Can you come in in the afternoon?
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. Can you come in at — let’s see. Can you come in at 5:00?
CALLER: Yes. It is all right if I call you tomorrow?
CLINIC: Yeah, but — yes, it is. But I need to do just a couple more things before I let you go, okay? Do you have to go right now?
CALLER: Yeah. My friend’s mom is about to be here.
CLINIC: She’s about to be here.
CALLER: Yeah.
CLINIC: Okay. When you call back tomorrow, tell whoever it is that you still need to schedule your actual procedure.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: All right. Bye bye.
CALLER: Thanks. Bye.
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