I have worked at several reproductive health clinics.

[uppityperson]

I have helped train counselors who deal with teens and older women AND males seeking information about reproductive health choices. I have helped with examinations of women who wished, and didn't wish, to be pregnant. I have helped counsel STD exams and tests and the outcome of them. I have helped women get abortions. If you have questions about what happens, what information is given, what education is given, etc, please feel free to ask.

I will continue to work DAMNED HARD to keep the right to chose a legal, hygienic abortion over a do-it-yourself or back alley one legal. I live in WA where if a female gets pregnant, she has the right to chose WITHOUT parental or spousal notification, WITHOUT having to view an ultrasound (to make sure she really truly has considered what she is doing), where she has to cross state lines to find someone who is able to help her out.

Edited to add: I grew up when the only way to get a hygienic abortion was to have enough money or connections to be able to afford a doctor who would give you one, unofficially. There is NO WAY that I will allow this country to go back to that. TOO many women died, TOO many women had no control over their lives, what with unexpected pregnancies causing them to not be able to continue to work, or attend school. No way again.

I found an EXCELLENT post in another thread as to why no parental notification is needed and want to share it with you so you don't have to slog through that other thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4317304&mesg_id=4321854
colinmom71

The reason that pregnant minors are granted this limited right to self-consent to medical treatments concerning reproductive health and pregnancy is because if she continues the pregnancy (either to keep the baby to parent it or to give it up for adoption), the pregnant minor will *already* be in a position to need to make a number of medical decisions in regards to pregnancy care. Also, she will be in the legal position of needing to give consent to whether the baby will be parented by herself or by adoptive parents. If she keeps the baby, she'll then be the responsible parental party to consent to medical treatment for the baby, such as blood tests, immunizations, etc.

If a pregnant minor must face these legal responsibilities, then she must also be considered capable of legally consenting to decide whether she remains pregnant. The fact is, once that pregnancy test turns positive, a teen girl's life changes drastically and the law must reflect that practicality.

[musette_sf]

1. K&R

[uppityperson]

2. I grew up when it was normal practice to ask a female job applicant when she would get pregnant

Many places didn't want to hire females BECAUSE they might get pregnant and then have to take time off. Oral contraceptives changed a WHOLE lot for women, for women's lives, to be able to actually PLAN something with some thought that it might actually work out that way.

Having hygienic abortions become legal was another great freeing thing for women who wanted to escape from that "barefoot, pregnant, in the kitchen" mold that so many fell into.

Yes, I know there were many women who did more, so much more, but also the truth is having that lack of control over your reproductive system was so harmful to so many.

[SharonAnn]

6. Yes, I remember. I used to answer "Well, I don't even have a date for Saturday night, yet."

But then, that was the old days.

[uppityperson]

10. I was told "we don't usually like to hire young nurses since they have a tendency to get pg and

leave and we waste a lot of resources training them. WHEN did you say you are planning on getting married and having babies?"

I still don't have a date for Sat night though.

[midnight]

3. I didn't know the reason why pregnant minors are given the right to make

their own decisions regarding the birth or ending it. Thank you for info. and educating all the others who come through the clinics...

[uppityperson]

5. I thought it was a really good, succinct, explanation.

Sometimes DUers are really good communicators.

[PDJane]

4. and, for what it's worth,

depending on the development of said minor, abortion in a hospital setting may be safer than trying to carry the child to term. Such a pregnancy often results in the death of a child or the mother. There is nothing more heartwrenching than trying to assist a parent in claiming the body of a child and/or the offspring of that child.

[Omaha Steve]

7. K&R!

[iamjoy]

8. Thank You

Thank you for a reasoned argument as to why a minor should have the right to choose (without parental consent). Too often we have relied on emotion. I had been of the belief that parental consent was okay because a teenager needed it for any other medical procedure and why should this be different.

But this is a valid point that rests on logic rather than emotion, that applies to any pregnant teen, not just those who may be in abusive situations.

[katandmoon]

9. K&R

[truedelphi]

11. Thank you for this post. And thank you for your hard work

In a setting that for many people, is no longer a safe place to be.

[PeaceNikki]

12. This ^

And, as I said in that other thread:

Parental notification laws are unnecessary for stable and supportive families, and they are ineffective and cruel for unstable, troubled families. Such laws cannot transform abusive families into supportive ones, nor can they reduce the alarmingly high rate of teenage pregnancy. Instead, they only add to the crushing problems faced by pregnant teenagers: They create delays that increase the medical risks of abortion and effectively eliminate the option of abortion for many minors. Tragically, those minors in greatest need of confidential medical care are often the very ones whose access to care is delayed." ~ACLU

A study conducted by Planned Parenthood found that 61 percent of minors who had abortions discussed their plans with at least one parent before undergoing the procedure. Of those minors who did not inform their parents of their abortions, 30 percent had histories of violence in their families, feared the occurrence of violence, or were afraid of being kicked out of their homes.

The American Association of University Women states:
"While the intent of such laws is to enhance family communication, the failure to guarantee confidentiality often deters young people from seeking timely services and care resulting in increased instances of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and late term abortions."