PLANNED PARENTHOOD
130 E. REDOUBT AVE
SOLDOTNA, AK 99669-8012
907-262-2622

TAPE – 542

(dialing sounds) (ringing 4X)

CLINIC: Planned Parenthood.

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. Do you guys do abortions there?

CLINIC: No. Dr. Merritt does abortions in Kenai, but we can refer you over there.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do you have that number then?

CLINIC: Yeah. It’s 283-5487.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do you know — like I’m just really worried, because like, well I’m going to be 14 next month, and my friend told me that they would have to tell my parents I’m getting an abortion. But my boyfriend’s 22. Is that, is he old enough to take care of it and they wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: You know, I’d have to ask them, but I’m pretty sure they don’t have to tell anybody.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: They like you to tell your parents because they think that’s better. But they won’t make you.

CALLER: Okay. There’s just no way I could tell my parents at all. I mean, if they found out that me and my boyfriend were having sex, I don’t know what they would do.

CLINIC: Yeah. It’s kind of a sticky thing because you’re pretty young and your boyfriend’s over 21.

CALLER: What do you mean?

CLINIC: I mean, you know, legally that’s — it’s kind of an illegal thing for a boy who’s over 21 to have sex with a girl —

CALLER: Why is it illegal? I don’t understand.

CLINIC: It’s called statutory rape.

CALLER: But he’s not, he’s not raping me. I mean, we’re in love. We’re going to get married. He said he was going to take care of me for the rest of my life.

CLINIC: Yeah. But it’s a legal thing. So —

CALLER: Well, what could happen?

CLINIC: Well, he could get in trouble — not you, but he could. So —

CALLER: Are you going to tell on him?

CLINIC: No, I won’t. But maybe when you go to the doctor you shouldn’t tell them how old your boyfriend is.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: I think that would be better. Just, you know, maybe have a girlfriend come with you and tell them your boyfriend is 16 or something because he could get in a lot of trouble.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? So don’t say anything about that.

CALLER: Well, I’m just really worried about all this because I haven’t had my period since like right before Christmas, and I’m scared. Would I be able to come in there for a pregnancy test though?

CLINIC: Yeah. Why don’t you come in here for a pregnancy test?

CALLER: But would you have to tell anybody about my boyfriend if I came in?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, would you have to tell anybody I was getting a pregnancy test though?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: No, we don’t have to tell anybody you’re getting a pregnancy test. But why don’t you come on in, and —

CALLER: How late are you guys open today?

CLINIC: Until 5:00.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Can you get in here before that?

CALLER: Well, yeah. I’d have to call my boyfriend to see, but I think so.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: I mean, he’d be the only way I could get there. That’s the only thing.

CLINIC: Yeah. Why don’t you come in and get the pregnancy test so that you know for sure, because there are other reasons why you could have missed a period.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: And then —

CALLER: Well, even if I — like I haven’t had my period since like December 21st. So.

CLINIC: It’s probably — that’s what’s happening. But it could be stress or other things so you need a pregnancy test.

CALLER: Okay. Well, if it turned out that I wasn’t pregnant could I get birth control?

CLINIC: Yeah.

CALLER: I just don’t want to have to worry about all this again.

CLINIC: Right. Absolutely. And if you end up having an abortion then you’ll — they’ll just start you on birth control as soon as it’s over.

CALLER: Oh. Well, if I was on birth control would anyone have to know about that?

CLINIC: Nope.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Nobody has to know about that.

CALLER: Okay. Well, the only thing is I can’t drive yet. Would my boyfriend be able to pick up the birth control pills?

CLINIC: Yeah. Once you come in here and have your exam, we give you a whole year’s worth and then if you can’t keep them at home he could keep them for you or something.

CALLER: Oh, okay. All right.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: I just have a lot of questions. And I need to talk to my boyfriend and see if he thinks of anything else. But could I call you if, and talk to you? What was your name?

CLINIC: My name is Joan. I’m the nurse practitioner.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? So yeah, sure, call back if you need to.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Uh-huh. Bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

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