PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF LOS ANGELES
1057 KINGSTON AVE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90033-1310
323-221-2532

TAPE – 487

(dialing sounds) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Thank you for calling Planned Parenthood. How may I help you?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was wondering if you guys do abortions there?

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: Oh. Well, how much does that cost?

CLINIC: It ranges based on how far the person is into the pregnancy and what their income is. It would be based on that.

CALLER: Oh. Well, I don’t know how far along I am. How do you know?

CLINIC: Is this for you?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: When did you have your last period?

CALLER: It was December 21st.

CLINIC: December 21st. So you’re maybe — let me see. Hold on one second, okay?

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: (pause) Okay, you said the first day of your last period was December 21st?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. So right now, say you’re on the 26th — you’re a little over 9 weeks. In the state of California the limit is 24 weeks, so you’re still in the first trimester, which means you’re fine still. The only thing is, once you exceed 12 weeks the price is going to jump to a higher bracket. Right now for you it’s going to be anywhere from $290 to $348. If you are over 12 weeks, the fee is going to go up from $400, and this keeps going up higher, higher and higher.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do you know — like I’m just really worried because like my friend said that I’ll be — since like I’ll be 14 in March that they would have to tell my parents I’m getting an abortion. But my boyfriend’s 22. Would he — is he old enough to take care of it and they wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: Okay. Run that by me again. I’m sorry?

CALLER: I’m just worried because — I’m going to be 14 in March. And she said, my friend told me that they would have to tell my parents —

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: — I’m getting an abortion. But my boyfriend’s 22. Could he just sign whatever it is?

CLINIC: No one needs to sign anything but you.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You just need to sign your documents stating that you understand what’s going to take place, whatever the case is. But no consent is needed. Did somebody call for you right now, or did you have somebody call?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Okay, I just the same kind of question. Hold on one second. Okay?

CALLER: Okay. I’m sorry about that. No consent is needed, whether it be from your boyfriend, your parents, whoever. You just, you’re going to be the one responsible for signing the documents because you’re the one that’s going through this procedure. All we ask is that you will need to have a driver to and from.

CLINIC: Okay. My boyfriend said he would bring me. Would that be all right if he’s there?

CALLER: That’s fine. You haven’t call before?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Never called before? Okay. So let me go ahead and give you the number that you can contact.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: Hold on one second. What city do you live in?

CLINIC: I live in LA.

CALLER: In Los Angeles.

CLINIC: Okay. What area code are you in?

CALLER: I live by Thousand Oaks.

CLINIC: Thousand Oaks? Okay. I don’t have my list. Oh, here it is. Hold on one second. I’m going to give you the telephone number so you don’t call long distance. Are you near Van Nuys?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: The number is 818-843-2009. Hold on one second. How did you find out you were pregnant?

CALLER: I’m just worried because I haven’t had my period. I don’t know really if I’m pregnant.

CLINIC: Okay. What you need to do first, the first step is take a test. Okay? Because you can’t do anything else without knowing. So you have to take that test first. If it comes up positive, then we can go ahead and set up an appointment for you if that’s what you choose.

CALLER: Well, is it all right if my boyfriend comes in with me for the pregnancy test?

CLINIC: That’s completely fine. That’s completely fine. That’s not a problem. The Van Nuys location, Conogal (sp) Park and Burbank are all open today; if you want to walk in, you can do so. You don’t need an appointment.

CALLER: Well, is it all right to come there for a pregnancy test? I just don’t want anyone to see me.

CLINIC: Well, you can come in. I mean, there’s people going through the same thing that you are. I mean, you’re not the only one walking in for pregnancy tests. You can walk in, and you can tell them discreetly that you need a pregnancy test and your results are going to be given in a room. It’s not going to be given in front of everyone. But everybody — we have so many people that walk in for pregnancy tests or people who need emergency contraception. You can always walk in for that. You never need an appointment as long as they’re open.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Okay? So if you want to go to a different clinic like other than your area, that’s fine.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, do you know if like I wasn’t pregnant if I could get birth control?

CLINIC: That’s fine. But you need to set up an appointment.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, if I was on birth control would they have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: No. All our services at Planned Parenthood are confidential. We do not have to give consent to anyone without your permission. If you want us to release your paperwork, that’s something else. But other than that, if somebody wants to request it we need to have your permission or else we will not release anything.

CALLER: Okay. It’s just, me and my boyfriend have been talking about this a lot, and we decided that we didn’t want anyone to know about us or —

CLINIC: Yeah, of course.

CALLER: Or go through all this again. So.

CLINIC: Yeah, of course. It’s a hard thing to go through in a relationship and by yourself sometimes. So I completely understand. But that’s why our services are confidential. We do not release any information. And that’s basically the bottom line.

CALLER: Well, do you know — like I’m not old enough to drive yet, but could my boyfriend pick up the birth control pills?

CLINIC: No. You need — he can come in with you, but you need to be the one to pick them up. You have to be there.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Okay. Well, if I had any other questions, could I call and talk to you? What was your name?

CLINIC: My name is Vanessa.

CALLER: Okay. Thanks.

CLINIC: You’re welcome.

CALLER: Bye.

CLINIC: Bye bye.

(phone clicks)

*** THE END ***

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
1920 MARENGO ST.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90033-1391
323-223-4462

TAPE – 151

(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Good afternoon. Planned Parenthood.

CALLER: Hi. Can I ask a question or two with you?

CLINIC: Are you calling the administration office?

CALLER: Well, I just need to ask somebody some questions.

CLINIC: All right. (music) (Spanish recording)

CLINIC: Thank you for calling Planned Parenthood. How may I help you?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was wondering if I could ask you a couple questions?

CLINIC: Um-hum.

CALLER: Well, like I was actually wondering if you guys do abortions.

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: You do? Like do you know if there’s like an age limit for that?

CLINIC: No, there is not.

CALLER: Because like I’ll be 14 in March, so.

CLINIC: No. There is no age limit, no parent consent needed.

CALLER: Okay. Well, it’s just — does anybody have to know at all?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: All we need to do is make sure that you, if you want to be under sedation or asleep that you have somebody that’s going to drive you to and from the clinic.

CALLER: Is it all right if my boyfriend does it? He’s old enough to drive. He’s 22.

CLINIC: Yeah, that’s fine.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: Do you want to set up an appointment?

CALLER: Yeah. I guess.

CLINIC: Okay. Hold on one second. How old are you?

CALLER: I’ll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: Really?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: And do your — I mean, this is just out of curiosity, but do your parents know that your boyfriend is 22?

CALLER: Yeah. They just really don’t like him.

CLINIC: Really?

CALLER: Yeah. They think he’s too old for me.

CLINIC: That’s a big age difference.

CALLER: But — why?

CLINIC: Why?

CALLER: Yeah. I mean, I don’t understand.

CLINIC: As long as you guys both are happy that’s all that matters.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: But no, I’m just —

CALLER: We’re going to get married and everything.

CLINIC: Really?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Oh, well, I wish the best for you. That’s great. But I really don’t hear too many teenagers like with somebody that’s that much older. As long as you’re happy, that’s of course all that matters.

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. What is your last name?

CALLER: It’s Smith.

CLINIC: Smith? First name?

CALLER: Oh, Christine.

CLINIC: With a C-H or a K?

CALLER: A C-H.

CLINIC: Your date of birth?

CALLER: It’s March 19, 1988.

CLINIC: Hold on one second. And this is your first time with us?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Your daytime telephone number?

CALLER: Is it all right like if — like my boyfriend just got a cellphone and I don’t know what that number is yet. Is it okay if I call you back and give you that number?

CLINIC: Do you have like a home number that we can call? We won’t identify ourselves if you don’t want us to. We can use a code name.

CALLER: Well, I just — like my boyfriend wanted me to give you that cellphone number, so.

CLINIC: Okay. But I would — in order to keep your appointment I do need to have some type of number we can contact you at.

CALLER: Is it all right if I call you back?

CLINIC: That’s fine.

CALLER: Okay. What was your name?

CLINIC: My name is Vanessa, but you can speak to anybody.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You still want to make the appointment now?

CALLER: Well, I’d have to — what times do you guys do?

CLINIC: Well, first of all, the first day of your last period was when?

CALLER: It was like maybe the first week in December.

CLINIC: And do you have any allergies?

CALLER: Well, I’m allergic to peaches, but that’s about it.

CLINIC: Okay. Hold on one second. Okay, we have East Los Angeles, Pamona, Longdale, Van Nuys or Whittier.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Which one would be best for you?

CALLER: Well, I live in Glendale.

CLINIC: Okay, so would Van Nuys or East LA be best?

CALLER: Van Nuys.

CLINIC: Okay. The next appointment for Van Nuys would be for the 22nd, which is next Friday. Is that okay?

CALLER: Yeah. Well, I’d have to see, but I think so.

CLINIC: Okay. Are you taking any medication right now?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Have you taken steroids within the past month?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Do you have any medical problems such as asthma, heart problems, or diabetes?

CALLER: Well, I used to have asthma when I was little, but.

CLINIC: Nothing now?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Do you have an inhaler?

CALLER: No. It’s all — like it went away.

CLINIC: Okay. Do you wear contact lenses?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Have you used any street drugs within the past year?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Do you have any vaginal or infection symptoms, any discharge, odor, itching?

CALLER: Not that I know of.

CLINIC: Okay. And how did you find out that you were pregnant?

CALLER: Well, my — I just haven’t had a period in awhile. I took a home pregnancy test over the weekend, and it said it was positive.

CLINIC: Okay. And what is your height?

CALLER: It’s five foot.

CLINIC: And your weight?

CALLER: I’m not real sure.

CLINIC: Just an estimation?

CALLER: Maybe like 120.

CLINIC: After your procedure are you interested in birth control?

CALLER: Yeah. Well, you guys don’t have to tell anybody about that, right?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Okay. Yeah.

CLINIC: The pill or the injection?

CALLER: What?

CLINIC: The pill or the injection?

CALLER: Probably the pill.

CLINIC: Okay. And do you have any insurance or Medical to pay for this?

CALLER: My boyfriend said that he would pay for everything, so.

CLINIC: Okay. The fee will be $290 as long as you are 12 weeks or less pregnant.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? Hold on one second. Did you want to be under sedation or awake?

CALLER: Awake I guess.

CLINIC: Okay. If you’re awake they’re going to give you injections in your cervix to numb your cervix. If you’re under sedation, they’ll put you asleep for about 10 minutes.

CALLER: Oh, okay. That sounds a lot better.

CLINIC: Sedation?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. So you cannot eat or drink anything 8 hours before you come in.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Plan to stay in the clinic 3 to 4 hours.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Wear loose, comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes, socks, and bring an extra pair of underwear.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You can return to normal activity whenever you feel ready. No sports, no intercourse, no tampons or douching for two weeks, and you will need to return in two to three weeks for a post-op examination.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: After your procedure expect bleeding, blood clotting and cramping which is normal. Your appointment is set for the 22nd at 9:45 in the Van Nuys location.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: The address is 7100 Van Nuys Boulevard, Suite 108, and the major cross-street is Sherman Way.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? So we’ll see you then. And if you can call back — you don’t have to speak to me. You can speak to anybody. Just let them know that you want to give us your telephone number.

CALLER: Okay. And nobody has to know anything?

CLINIC: No. No parent consent is needed. We will not release any information without your consent.

CALLER: And you’re not going to tell anybody about this?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: No. There’s no need for us to do that.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Bye bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

*** THE END ***