Tag Archives: abortion

How to Talk About Abortion: Not in Her Shoes


Posted on May 15, 2013 by

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Today’s post is written by one of our fabulous interns.

As a long-time ally and volunteer for Planned Parenthood I have often been engaged in discussions with family members or friends who do not necessarily agree with my beliefs about abortion, or who are interested to hear my thoughts on this issue. And I have often been tempted to jump into discussions on social media sites when friends post their personal convictions about abortion or links to articles discussing the topic. These conversations can be very tricky to navigate because I want to be honest and candid about my views without inflaming an argument.

Luckily, I was recently able to participate in a workshop on just this subject. The tips I learned have really helped me frame my approach to talking about abortion.

“I am not in her shoes.” As a Planned Parenthood supporter, this is the overarching message I should send out.

not_in_her_shoes1Instead of listing examples of hypothetical situations when a woman might need or want an abortion (ex. the fetus has a severe abnormality; or the pregnancy is a result of rape) emphasize that it would not be right for decisions to be imposed upon a woman; especially if you have not walked in her shoes. By offering justifications to choose abortion, I not only invalidate the rights of women who chose abortion for a different reason, but I also risk hitting gridlock in conversation with someone who does not agree that abortion would be an acceptable choice in my example. Instead I would recommend expressing that we do not know every woman’s situation, and we have to trust that women can make the best decisions for themselves.

Additionally, it is important to avoid falling into the trap of labeling others as “pro-life” or “pro-choice.” Abortion is a multifaceted and personal issue, and discussing it in a binary fashion is simply not productive in many cases. The categories of pro-life and pro-choice do not reflect the nuance and complexity with which many Americans understand and engage with this issue. In fact, 40% of recent voters say that their views on abortion “depend on the situation,” and nearly one-quarter of recent voters said that either both or neither of the labels “pro-life” and “pro-choice” describe their viewpoint. Instead of approaching this topic as a dichotomy with a “you are with me or against me” attitude, it is important to enter these discussions with sensitivity and openness. The emphasis should be that abortion should remain safe and legal (a statement most voters agree with), and “We have not walked in her shoes.”

For more information on this topic check out this excellent source of information.

I work with abortion. I will not apologize.


Posted on April 30, 2013 by

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abortion-law-sizeLast week I attended an incredible workshop with my colleagues, where we talked about the emotional side of abortion work. About ten of us, all working in different roles within our affiliate, shared with each other how we cope with the stigmatized nature of our work, and how we deal with protesters both in our communities and in our personal lives (friends, family, etc.). I learned so much about the strength, courage, and absolute commitment to helping women that my colleagues and I share. It was really emotional and absolutely inspiring to recognize the commitment we have to this work. I am so proud to be a part of in the struggle of women; in the herstory of women.

Having said that, it was ironic that a few days later I became involved in a confrontation about my work with a distant relative through, of all places, Facebook. While I honor and love this family member, and have incredibly fond memories of our time together in my childhood, we just don’t agree politically or socially now that I’m an adult. Specifically, when it comes to social issues and the issue of a woman’s right to decide. So, I posted something about an interview with anti-choice protesters, and was issued a moral citation via comment box.

A few days later he sent me an email about the better choice being adoption. I now felt like I needed to explain myself without apologizing or igniting personal defenses. I do not want to fight with family about the work I do. And I will not apologize. Having spent time discussing such awkward and uncomfortable interactions with family a few days before at the workshop, I felt like I was prepared to respond. Awkward? Yes. Impossible? No. In summary:

…I’ve been working one-on-one with women who choose abortion for the past 5 years. I’ve met with hundreds and hundreds, perhaps thousands of women in my office, and my beliefs about choice stem from listening to them and learning their stories. For many, adoption is an excellent choice, and I whole-heartedly support women who choose that route. I am most excited when I meet with a woman who has planned her pregnancy, and is ecstatic when the pregnancy test comes back positive. There is so much joy to share in life.

Though the organization I work for only sees about 10% of clients for abortion services, I travel to our different locations and work predominantly with those clients. I do family planning education and give emotional support to women who are choosing abortion. I feel I am an angel for so many of the women I see, who are ashamed, afraid, stigmatized, guilt-ridden and desperate. I accept them, I accept their choice, and I honor them as human beings trying to do the best they can for themselves, their families, and their futures.

Having said that, I speak with each and every single woman who is considering abortion about adoption. That is a requirement; we talk with women about adoption and how to continue their pregnancies for parenthood, along with abortion education. Over and over and over again, when I talk with women about adoption, many give the same response: there is no way they could spend 9 months becoming emotionally attached to their pregnancy and give it away. The guilt and resentment they would feel knowing they had a child in the world that they had “abandoned” is a worse choice for them than to prevent the pregnancy from continuing. These are their words, not mine. For others, adoption is an opportunity to give their child to a family who is ready and able to provide a quality life for their child. Every woman’s view is valid.

In many cases over the years, I have helped women choose to continue their pregnancies. I support their choice, regardless of the outcome. It is their body, their life, not mine…. Having said that, our perspectives on this issue are different, but I respect your opinion, as your beliefs are just as valid as mine.

This line of work is both incredibly challenging and incredibly rewarding. Our greatest hope and mission is for all children to be wanted children, and for the need for abortion to no longer exist. However, we do not currently live in a world where this is possible, and abortion is a safe option that 1/3 of U.S. women make in their lifetime. I emphasize education and prevention. I will not apologize.

 

Arkansans Deserve Better: Planned Parenthood Condemns Most Extreme Abortion Ban in U.S.


Posted on March 13, 2013 by

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181016_471474056240797_555277792_nI love Arkansas. I’ve been a tourist to the fine state, dug in their diamond mine, and talked it up to all of my friends. I maintain that the state of Arkansas is an oft-overlooked gem.

However, the fact is that Arkansans deserve better than what their legislature did last week: the Arkansas legislature passed the most extreme abortion ban in the United States – twice – over their governor’s veto. Arkansas’ 12-week ban on abortions signals that 2013 may be even worse than the record-breaking years of 2011 and 2012 for state legislation that limits access to women’s health care.

People in Arkansas and across America know that abortion is a deeply personal and often complex decision for a woman to make. In fact, a Wall Street Journal/NBC poll released in January 2013 found that a majority of Americans – 70 percent – oppose efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade, the highest percentage on this question in nearly 30 years.

The most egregious part of this legislation? Federal courts have again and again declared it unconstitutional: Idaho’s 20-week abortion ban was just declared unconstitutional the day after the Arkansas legislation was passed. Voters and courts have opposed legislation like this time and time again: it’s time for state legislatures to listen.

This trend is a disturbing one, but you can be assured that Planned Parenthood will be there in all 50 states to ensure women have access to reproductive health care, no matter what.

Links We Love: Tuesday Edition


Posted on January 29, 2013 by

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woman_reading_newspaperHappy Tuesday, Feronians! Hopefully, it’ll be even better than your Monday.

Today, we’re sharing some awesome stories we’ve found on the internets:

And lastly, but never least: is a Disney-and-princess-free daughter a more empowered one? It’s a very good question.

Have you seen anything interesting in the news lately that you’d like to share?

40 Years After Roe: A New Conversation About Abortion


Posted on January 22, 2013 by

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This month marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that allowed women to obtain safe and legal abortions in all 50 states. Over the years many legislators have attempted to both overturn or create massive restriction to the law, in an attempt to make abortions illegal. This is still happening today, as you can see with the “Personhood” movement that has been strategically combing the country trying to pass legislation that would define “life” as beginning at conception, thus allowing making illegal contraceptives like the IUC, Plan B, medical procedures like in-vitro fertilization, and of course, all abortion care (even in the case of rape or incest). For many of us, we cannot remember a time in our lives when access to safe and legal abortion did not exist. While most counties in the country do not have abortion providers, with some orchestrated effort, many women find a way to travel to an abortion provider when they need their services.

We tend to think that abortion is a new procedure, since the famous Roe v. Wade decision was the groundbreaking law within the 20th century. But did you realize that abortion has been a procedure that women have been having for hundreds of years? In fact, the first anti-abortion laws were created to protect women from obtaining unsafe abortions, protecting them from unskilled physicians in 1821. It was not until 1873 that the Comstock law was passed, making the disbursement of information about contraception and abortion illegal. Did you get that? The Comstock laws made even talking about abortion and contraception illegal. Imagine that!

roe-v-wade

So, 140 years after the Comstock laws banned women from learning about contraceptives and abortions, we are still having the same battle of politicizing the womb. Women still account for less than 20% of all politicians in our government. Those who make the laws are not the ones who suffer the ramifications, we see this over and over.

It is time for a new conversation to rise from the ashes of the polarized, dogmatic issue of “pro choice” or “pro life.” These are outdated modalities for talking about abortion, and completely dismiss the emotional, social, financial, and practical complexities of women’s experiences with abortion. One in three women within the U.S. will have had at least one abortion by age 45. These women are your family members, your colleagues, your friends, your neighbors, your socially networked communities. Every decision stems from a set of individual circumstances as unique as the woman herself. Abortion is not just an emotional buzzword. Abortion is medical procedure that one in three women will experience in her lifetime, and the perpetuation of the stigma does not reduce rates, only goes to ostracize, dehumanize and polarize us emotionally and intellectually. It’s time we have another discussion, it’s time we respect the women of our communities, and support legislation that allows for greater access to effective and affordable contraceptives that prevent unintended pregnancies (half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are currently unintended).

In the spirit of this new discussion, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) has launched a new campaign called Not in Her Shoes that reminds us that abortion is not a black and white issue, but a complex decision that many women are faced to make. See the new campaign video below. We’re Planned Parenthood. We Care. No Matter What.

Links in Love & Sex: 2013 Edition


Posted on January 1, 2013 by

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Happy New Year, friends! We hope you had an amazing New Year’s Eve. (And if something didn’t go quite as planned? Remember, you can pick up Plan B at your local Planned Parenthood; it’s effective up until 5 days after unprotected sex.)

Sharing a few bits of interesting love and sex links on the internet:

The Most Common Questions I Receive on Abortion


Posted on November 12, 2012 by

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Supportin a woman's right to choose
Supporting a woman’s right to choose

Recently, several college students have called me needing information on abortion for class presentations. Many of them were misinformed on why women choose abortion, and the age group comprising the majority of women who decide to have the procedure. Many people are under the false impression that teens make up the majority of women who have abortions and think that there are a plethora of women who have multiple abortions and use it as “birth control.” Here are the most common questions I have received:

Don’t teens account for the highest number of abortions?

Teens – 18%

  • Teens who are 15 year of age (yoa) account for 0.4%
  • Teens who are 16-17 yoa account for 5.6%
  • Teens who are 18-19 account for 11%

Women in their 20s – 57%

  • Women who are 20-24 yoa account for 33%
  • Women who are 25-29 yoa account for 24%
  • Women who are 30-45 yoa account for 25%

Why do women have abortions when they can afford to have a child?

  • 69% of women obtaining abortions are at or below the federal poverty level
  • 61% have one or more children and cite caring for their children as the primary reason for having the procedure

Don’t most women have abortions when they are further along in their pregnancies?

88% of abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy

Doesn’t having an abortion prevent women from faving future pregnancies?

No, according to research cited by the Guttmacher Institute, “Abortions performed in the first trimester pose virtually no long-term risk of problems like infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or birth defects, and little or no risk of pre-term or low-birthweight deliveries.” It should also be noted that abortion is one of the safest medical procedures for women in the United States

Don’t most women feel regret after they have an abortion?

Every woman experiences different emotions, but most women report feeling relief and even though the decision was difficult they feel confident that they made the right decision.

How many women have abortions in the United States?

1 in 3 American women will have had an abortion by the time they reach age 45.

*It is important to have the correct facts but, in the grand scheme of things, the more important take away should be that we should not judge but support our friends, sisters, coworkers, and partners who choose to have an abortion no matter what age she is, her economic status, or whether you agree with her reason for ending the pregnancy. For more information visit The Guttmacher Institute.

BINGO! Free Birth Control = Fewer Abortions


Posted on October 10, 2012 by

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A new study was released last week by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO that showed a strong correlation between contraceptive access and a lowered abortion rate. According to the report, just over 9,000 women ages 14-45 enrolled in The CHOICE Project and were provided three years of free contraception. Three years after enrollment, the study found the rate of abortions within the population reduced dramatically, from one-third below the national average to three-fourths below the national average. In hard numbers, that is one abortion prevented for every 100 women who participated.

The study concluded that one key factor that likely led to such a dramatic reduction in abortions was the use of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (known in reproductive health circles as LARCs). LARC methods such as IUDs (also know as IUCs) and the arm implant are statistically shown to be the most effective contraceptive methods in preventing pregnancy (99% effective) for three to 12 years, depending on the method chosen. Though the effectiveness of these methods is evident, cost can be prohibitive to many women, as they can cost between $500-$1,000 up front. Sticker-shock aside, these methods cost far less in the long-run when you consider the potential costs of a monthly method ($15-$80/month), office visits, monthly commute time to pick up supply, Emergency Contraception, and the costs of an unplanned pregnancy.

The study highlights the need for greater access to such costly yet effective contraceptives, as they are most effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies. Unplanned pregnancies account for approximately half of all U.S. pregnancies, so a reduction of this magnitude has considerable implications for our economy, our population, the health of girls and women, education, the costs of social programs, and the overall need for abortion services.

The Affordable Care Act will eventually require citizens to have health insurance or pay a federal tax. The mandate also requires that insurers provide contraception without co-pay. The study highlighted above strongly suggests that if women have access to LARC methods, they will have far fewer unintended pregnancies, thus far fewer abortions.

This concept, that greater access to more effective birth control options would reduce unintended pregnancies and abortion comes as no surprise to many of us within the reproductive health community, as we see the cost barriers with our patients all the time. Here at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, we provide our abortion patients with one free pack of birth control pills or emergency contraception after their procedure to help them get back into a contraceptive routine, should they choose to. We also provide discounts for other methods such as the Patch, the Ring, or the Shot, for those who don’t want the Pill. We also provide our post-abortion patients with a full year prescription of the contraceptive method they choose, so they will not have to return to a health care provider before beginning contraception.

Time and time again I hear from patients that they became pregnant unintentionally because they did not have the money to afford their contraceptive method. Some are baffled that even one month off their method can lead to pregnancy. Studies now show that unintended pregnancy is reduced when cost is no longer a factor in the contraceptive equation.

No matter what side of the aisle you stand on, we all want to prevent unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion services. See the video below to learn more from participants in the study, and the barriers they previously faced.

 

EXHALE: If You Don’t Feel Relief After An Abortion


Posted on September 25, 2012 by

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When I speak with people presenting for abortion care, the majority of patients report that they’re nervous. They’re nervous for a variety of reasons, but for most of them it seems that the greatest fear is of having a stranger in a very private area of their body during a very private time in their life. They tend to be nervous about the discomfort they may experience and are anxious to feel “normal” again. Most patients report relief after their procedure is complete. They can begin to adjust back to their normal life.

For some people, though, abortion can bring on a gamut of negative emotions, from shame and embarrassment to feelings of guilt or isolation. While these emotions do not appear to occur as often as stereotypes may portray, there are absolutely pressures (society, religion, culture, family) that make some people second-guess their decision to postpone parenthood.

When this is the case, I recommend people turn to Exhale. Exhale is a toll-free talk-line for people experiencing emotional issues related to abortion. Callers are people who have personally had abortions, partners, friends, family members, or people considering abortion as an option who need a confidential non-judgmental ear to confide in.

I find Exhale to be a beautiful resource to those in need of emotional support after an abortion, and I’ve linked a video from Exhale’s website that explains what you can expect when you call one of its counselors.

Remember, one in three people in the U.S. will have at least one abortion by age 45. You are not alone; your feelings are respected and understood.

And always remember that we’re Planned Parenthood, and we’re here for you.

 

I Have a What Pregnancy?


Posted on September 10, 2012 by

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There are many possible complications or disorders that can occur during a pregnancy, but two of the most misunderstood are the ectopic and molar pregnancies. These are rare but potentially dangerous nonviable pregnancies that require medical treatment. Here is a summery of what you need to know.

Ectopic Pregnancy

What is it?: This is a fertilized egg that implants in the fallopian tube, not the uterus. This is not a viable pregnancy, as the fertilized egg cannot grow outside of the uterus. As the cells grow, the fallopian tube can rupture. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. The cause is not precisely known, but some factors that can increase chances of having an ectopic pregnancy are a birth defect of the fallopian tube, endometriosis, having an IUD in place at the time of pregnancy, in vitro fertilization, and scarring from past infections or surgery.

What does it feel like?: You may experience normal pregnancy symptoms early on, such as breast tenderness. Signs of an ectopic pregnancy are vaginal bleeding, cramping on one side of the pelvis, pain in lower abdomen, feeling faint, and pain in the shoulder area.

How will I know?: A pelvic exam may reveal pain. Blood tests for the pregnancy hormone HCG done approximately two days apart is useful for differentiating between an ectopic and a normal pregnancy. An ultrasound can also be done to determine if there is a uterine pregnancy, however remember very early pregnancies may be too small to be visible on the ultrasound.

What happens next?: Again, this is not a viable pregnancy and is life-threatening to the woman. If the fallopian tube has not ruptured, a drug called methotrexate can be given, or a surgical procedure can be done to remove the pregnancy. Once the fallopian tube ruptures, emergency medical help is needed to stop bleeding and prevent shock.

Molar Pregnancy

What is it?: This is an intra-uterine pregnancy where the tissue that normally turns into the placenta instead over-grows to become an unusual mass. This can be a partial molar pregnancy, where some fetal development occurs, or a complete molar pregnancy, where there is no fetal development. This is another type of pregnancy that is nonviable.  

What does it feel like?: Severe nausea and vomiting may occur, as well as vaginal bleeding, heat intolerance, rapid heart rate, trembling hands, weight loss, high blood pressure.

How will I know?: An ultrasound will reveal an abnormal growth in the uterus, and perhaps excessive or smaller than expected growth. HCG blood tests, kidney and liver function tests, or a CT of the abdomen may be ordered.

What happens next?: Typically a suction curettage, also called a D&C, is done to empty the uterus. Follow up exams will be necessary to make sure that the abnormal tissue doesn’t start to grow again.

The best way to avoid complications of these types of pregnancy is early detection.  If you aren’t looking to get pregnant, choose a reliable birth control method. If you are, listen to your body and know what symptoms to look out for.