ATLANTA WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER
235 W WIEUCA RD NE
ATLANTA, GA 30342
404-257-0057

TAPE – 821

(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: Atlanta Women’s Medical Center.

CLINIC: Hi. Yeah. I was calling to see if you guys do abortions there.

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: Well, how much does it cost for that?

CLINIC: How many weeks are you into the pregnancy?

CALLER: I’m not really sure.

CLINIC: Do you know when you had a last period, the last period you had?

CALLER: Well, it was January 15th. That’s why I’m worried.

CLINIC: Okay. So you missed February, and you probably will miss March. This is an estimate, but you could be about seven or eight weeks pregnant. And that’s considered the first trimester price, which is 410. And that would be good until 12-and-a-half weeks. And we do a sonogram to make sure. And you’re processed through counseling, medical work-up, blood typing and recovery time. The abortion’s only about five or six minutes, the vacuum aspiration procedure. You could be awake, sleep or sedated, and that is all included in the 410.

Do you know what your blood type is?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: If it’s negative, with any center they’re going to add a fee. Our fee for negative blood type is 35 because you need an injection. And we would explain that if it was the case.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Well, I actually had another question.

CLINIC: Sure.

CALLER: I’m just kind of worried. My friend told me that, since I’ll be 14 later on this month, 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: So you’re 13 right now?

CALLER: Right.

CLINIC: Because of the laws in Georgia — it’s like a parental notification law — unless you have a legal bypass, which would be really the only way not to tell your parents, we would have to have a notarized letter by them if they didn’t want to come. He could be the one to bring you, but you would still have to have them write a letter saying I’m aware of.

Do they know you’re in a relationship with him?

CALLER: Yeah. I mean, he works for my dad. They know we’re going out, 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.

CLINIC: Well, I don’t know what you’re going to do.

CALLER: Well, what’s the legal bypass?

CLINIC: You would have to go to — I don’t know where you live; I don’t know courts’ numbers. But apparently there’s a way of going through the court and basically obtaining a legal document bypassing that you don’t need the parental consent. You would probably have to ask your boyfriend or try to call around and see where you could do that. But it’s really the only way I know of. And mention, I guess judicial bypass — tell them the circumstances. It would cause too much of a feud to let your parents know, but you want to terminate. I mean, that’s really the only other way. Either they would have to come sign the paperwork themselves or do the letter. Either way you’d have to tell them unless you got that bypass.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do they usually let you get a bypass?

CLINIC: I really haven’t known anyone to do it, so I don’t know how easy it is. But you should probably try to do it soon because you don’t want to have to — at your age, the further you are, the less likely a doctor — some doctors don’t want to do second-trimester abortions on someone your age.

CALLER: Okay. Well, could I come in for a pregnancy test just to make sure I am pregnant?

CLINIC: Sure, absolutely. Hold on a moment for me.

CALLER: All right.

(Pause)

CLINIC: One of my co-workers said that your best bet might right now be to contact Planned Parenthood who can apparently guide you through that process. And they’re real nice centers. And there’s one in Lynette (?), Lansing, Cobb —

CALLER: Would they have to tell my parents though?

CLINIC: No, not necessarily. You would try that. That’s what she thought, that they would be able to help you, I guess figure out how to do that, yeah. You could also come here if you wanted to get a pregnancy test. But that’s the one thing that she — if I had of known that Planned Parenthood would help — that’s a center that will also do testing, STD testing, gynecological care, pregnancy stuff.

CALLER: Well, my boyfriend just wanted to go to you guys. So I could get a pregnancy test where you’re at?

CLINIC: (Sigh) You could. Let’s see. It’s between 10 and 12 in the morning. You can walk on in. You could come tomorrow if you wanted. Does he not know where we are?

CALLER: He knows.

CLINIC: Okay. So do you want to come in tomorrow?

CALLER: Well, I have to call him to make sure he can get off work. But if it turned out that I wasn’t pregnant, could I get birth control from you guys too?

CLINIC: Let’s see, you could — I mean, have you been having regular periods? When did you start menstruating?

CALLER: About a couple years ago.

CLINIC: Have you ever missed a period like this?

CALLER: Not like this. I’ve missed like maybe a couple weeks or so but not this long.

CLINIC: Were you all having unprotected sex?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. So you have reason to believe you might be pregnant?

CALLER: Yes.

CLINIC: Well, you could most likely talk to the nurse about starting on something, but to get a full prescription, you’d have to come here for a like a pap smear, which we could set up.

CALLER: How much does that cost?

CLINIC: An annual, about $70. And if you wanted to have an ultra sound, if you found out you were pregnant, you could do that for $100. And that could be put toward your procedure as well.

CALLER: Okay. Well, my boyfriend he said he would pay for everything. But when we were talking about all this we decided we don’t want anyone to know about us. Would it be all right if he was paying for it, and he wouldn’t have to sign anything or have his name on any forms?

CLINIC: I can check. Hold on one second.

(Pause)

CLINIC: I’m just trying to get my co-worker’s opinion because of your age. One woman I was talking to thinks that because of your age and because of his age, it would be considered statutory rape. And they don’t know if that’s something —

CALLER: But he’s not — what do you mean? He’s not raping me or anything.

CLINIC: No, no, no. It’s a law. If you’re under age and he’s over age, they can technically consider that, even though he’s not raping you, yes. So that’s something that they may not allow for your parents not to know because of the difference in your age. I completely agree. Everyone says that– it’s consensual. But that’s, in the eyes of the law, something you might face.

I mean, there’s absolutely no way you could — I mean, you really don’t think that you could tell your parents?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: You might have to. If you were on your own, if you were living on your own, if you had a child, something to kind of consider yourself an emancipated person — but because you’re still living with your parents — and she has a more realistic view. I have not ever known anyone to do it, so that’s why I don’t know how strict they are. And hearing your story made her think that that would be more difficult.

CALLER: Well, what should I say then?

CLINIC: I don’t know. Hold one second.

CLINIC: Hello?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: I would suggest to you that you call Planned Parenthood and just find out what avenues you need to do. There are other facilities in the Atlanta area that are not as strict as we are. Because if you come here, you’re going to have to have a letter from the court. And in no type of way are we going to help you fraudulently do that. Or you will have to have a notarized letter from a parent. So there are other facilities that do not require all the things we do. You might want to try going to one of them. Because we are not going to do anything that is against the law here when it’s pertaining to abortion.

CALLER: So if I come in for a pregnancy test though, would it be all right if my boyfriend — like he wanted me to go to you guys to get a pregnancy test and stuff. Would he be able to be there for a pregnancy test, and you wouldn’t have to say anything?

CLINIC: The only thing a pregnancy test is, you’re going to urinate in a cup. And he is not going to be in the bathroom while you urinate and not going to be there while we do the test.

CALLER: So it’s all right if he brings me, and he waits in the lobby or whatever?

CLINIC: He can, um-hmm.

CALLER: But you wouldn’t have to tell anybody about him?

CLINIC: I mean, you’re only having a pregnancy test. You can go to Planned Parenthood and have that.

CALLER: Oh. All right.

CLINIC: Okay.

(Clinic hangs up phone)

CALLER: Well, if I —

***END***

FEMINIST WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER
580 14TH ST. NW
ATLANTA, GA 30318
404-874-7551

TAPE – 732

(Dialing, phone ringing)

AUTOMATED VOICE: Thank you for calling the Feminist Women’s Health Center. Your call is very important to us. Please stay on the line to speak to one of our phone counselors or press 3 for directions. If you know your party’s extension, please dial it now. Thank you.

Transferring call. Please hold.

(Recording in Spanish)

(Phone ringing)

CLINIC: Hi. Can I help you?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was calling to see if you guys do abortions there.

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: Okay. Well, how much does it cost for that?

CLINIC: And how many weeks?

CALLER: I’m not really sure. I just haven’t had my period since January 3rd.

CLINIC: That was the first day of your last normal period?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: You’re about nine weeks. So it’s $380.

CALLER: Okay. The thing is, I’m going to be 14 on the 19th of this month, and my friend told me 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: You would have to either bring one of your parents or guardians with your or have a signed consent note from your parent.

CALLER: Well, is there any way — I mean, I can’t tell my parents at all. I mean, I don’t know what they would do if they found out. Is there any way not to have to tell them?

CLINIC: You just have to bring a note, and it just has to have a signature on it of your parents.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Well, do I need to go to the lawyer or something for a note or anything?

CLINIC: You need to go to a lawyer?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: No, you don’t need to go to a lawyer.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You need to know what the note needs to say?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Are you ready?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: I, and then your parents’ name, am aware that my daughter then your name, is having an abortion on the day, month and year of your appointment, at the Feminist Women’s Health Center.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Your parent needs to sign the note.

CALLER: Does it need to be typed or anything?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Oh. Okay. Well, what if they won’t sign it?

CLINIC: Then we wouldn’t be able to see you.

CALLER: Oh. Well, how do you know that it’s my parents that sign it?

CLINIC: We just need to have a signature.

CALLER: Okay. All right. My boyfriend said that he would pay for everything. Would that be all right if he was there with me?

CLINIC: You have to have somebody come with you who’s over 18.

CALLER: Well, he’s 22. So that would be all right?

CLINIC: Uh-huh.

CALLER: Okay. It’s just we were talking about all this, and we don’t want anybody to know about us. Would he have to sign anything if he was paying for it?

CLINIC: It depends on how — he would have to sign something because he’s going to be here with you, and you’re under 18.

CALLER: Okay. But would anybody know about us if he was here?

CLINIC: We wouldn’t tell anyone.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: That doesn’t mean you wouldn’t tell anyone.

CALLER: Okay. Well, he said that he would pay for everything in cash. Is that all right?

CLINIC: No. You have to pay with a credit card of money order.

CALLER: Oh, okay. So he could get a money order then?

CLINIC: Correct. But we don’t put them to sleep here. Are you comfortable with that?

CALLER: I guess.

CLINIC: You could go to other clinics in Atlanta, and they could put you to sleep.

CALLER: Oh. Well, my boyfriend just told me to call you guys. How much should his money order be for?

CLINIC: Do you want to make an appointment?

CALLER: Well, I’d have to call him to see when he can bring me and get the time off work.

CLINIC: $335 is the price.

CALLER: Oh, okay. All right. Well, do you guys do a pregnancy test beforehand just to make sure?

CLINIC: We do an ultra sound.

CALLER: Okay. If it turned out that I wasn’t pregnant, do you guys do birth control there?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: But would you have to have my parents or anybody know about me being on birth control?

CLINIC: I’m not sure about that one. Hold on.

AUTOMATED VOICE: — I-85, one block east of Northside Drive on 14th Street. If taking MARTA, get off at the Midtown station, and take Bus Number 37 to 14th Street. If you need detail directions, please hold for one of our phone counselors.

(Music playing)

AUTOMATED VOICE: (Message in Spanish)

AUTOMATED VOICE: The Feminist Women’s Health Center offers an empowering well-woman program, by women, for women, which includes annual exams, pap smears, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, lesbian health care, birth control —

CLINIC: Hello?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: Yeah, you can get birth control without your parents knowing.

CALLER: Okay. All right. So I could come in there for a pregnancy test and birth control, and nobody would have to know anything?

CLINIC: Correct.

CALLER: Okay. But my parents have to send a note if I’m getting an abortion?

CLINIC: Correct.

CALLER: What time do you normally have your appointments?

CLINIC: We have them on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

CALLER: Okay. What time on Saturday?

CLINIC: Usually about 5:30 in the morning.

CALLER: All right. Well, could I do the pregnancy test then, and then find out, and then get started, and do it all on Saturday?

CLINIC: This Saturday we don’t have any appointments left.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, could I get a pregnancy test done on Saturday?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: Oh, okay. And then if I can get a note from my parents then —

CLINIC: You could have an appointment another day.

CALLER: Okay. All right. Well, let me call my boyfriend and call you back. What was your name?

CLINIC: My name’s Heather.

CALLER: All right. Thank you.

CLINIC: Okay. Bye.

***END***

ATLANTA SURGERY CENTER – MIDTOWN HOSPITAL
580 14TH ST. NW
ATLANTA, GA 30308
404-875-3411

TAPE – 733

(Dialing, phone ringing)

CLINIC: Thank you for calling Atlanta Surgi-Center. How may I help you?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was calling to see if you guys do abortions there.

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: How much does it cost for that?

CLINIC: How far along are you?

CALLER: Well, I’m not really sure. How do you know?

CLINIC: Okay. Do you have a OB/GYN or something you can go to to find out how far along you are?

CALLER: Well, no. My friend told me to call you guys.

CLINIC: (Chuckle) Do you know when you had your last cycle?

CALLER: January 3rd.

CLINIC: Hold please.

AUTOMATED VOICE: — for information and referral services. Counselors are knowledgeable, nonjudgmental, and trained to explain all aspects of the time you’ll spend with us. The Atlanta Surgi-Center, offering caring, respectful and informative counseling.

With our almost three decades of experience, we’ve learned that an abortion clinic must be more than a medical facility. It must be a place where all women find the knowledgeable and caring support of the entire staff. At the Atlanta Surgi-Center, you’ll find this knowledge and support from the staff members in the business office, lab, counseling, nursing and OR. The Atlanta Surgi-Center, offering a caring and supportive staff.

The Atlanta Surgi-Center is proud to have two female physicians on staff and a certified nurse practitioner. The Atlanta Surgi-Center continues to be a place where women can turn for assistance and support from the very best medical professionals.

CLINIC: Thank you for holding. How may I help you?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was calling to get information about getting an abortion.

CLINIC: Um-hmm.

CALLER: Was I talking to you before?

CLINIC: Um-hmm.

CALLER: I was telling you that my last period was January 3rd, so I was wondering how much it would cost.

CLINIC: It will cost you $408.

CALLER: Okay. The thing is, I’m going to be 14 later on this month, and my friend said that you guys would have to tell my parents. But my boyfriend’s 22. Could he just sign whatever it is, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: Okay. Hold on.

AUTOMATED VOICE: — and staff members. All of our physicians are specialists in gynecology and —

CLINIC: Okay, ma’am, you said you’re 14?

CALLER: Well, I’ll be 14 on the 19th of this month.

CLINIC: We can’t do nothing without your parents here.

CALLER: Without them there.

CLINIC: That’s the law of Georgia. No one is going to see you unless one of your parents come with you.

CALLER: Oh. Where is there any way not to have my parents there? I mean, I can’t tell them at all.

CLINIC: It’s not. Honestly, it’s not.

CALLER: Oh. So there’s nothing I can do?

CLINIC: It’s nothing you can do. That’s the law in Georgia. Can’t no one in Georgia get around in it unless you go somewhere else. But as long as you’re here, you won’t be seen without your parents.

CALLER: Okay. Where else could I go?

CLINIC: You can try Kansas City, Missouri.

CALLER: Okay. And they wouldn’t have to have my parents know?

CLINIC: More than likely, they will too.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, could I come in there for a pregnancy test just to make sure I am pregnant?

CLINIC: See, they won’t — they can’t do nothing with you without your parents. You can go to the pharmacy and get a pregnancy test.

CALLER: Are those usually right though?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: Um-hmm.

CALLER: Okay. Well, if it turned out that I wasn’t pregnant, could I get birth control from you guys? It’s just that me and my boyfriend don’t want to have to worry about this anymore.

CLINIC: See, I don’t want to give you a hard time. You can go to the clinic and see if they will do it. But because of your age, you know, don’t nobody really want to be responsible for it because they can get sued.

CALLER: Sued?

CLINIC: Yeah.

CALLER: Okay. All right.

CLINIC: I’m sorry.

CALLER: Where can I go for birth control?

CLINIC: Any clinic.

CALLER: Oh. But would they have to tell my parents?

CLINIC: They probably won’t give it to you without your parents. Have you took a pregnancy test yet?

CALLER: Well, no. I just haven’t had my period for a while, and I’m just really worried.

CLINIC: When is the last time you had your period?

CALLER: January 3rd.

CLINIC: And you haven’t had it since then?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: You’re about 10 weeks pregnant.

CALLER: Okay. All right.

CLINIC: Why you can’t tell your parents?

CALLER: Well, they can’t find out at all. I mean, if they found out — I mean, they know my boyfriend. He works with my dad. They just don’t know that we’re having sex. But if they found out about that, I don’t know what they would do.

CLINIC: Yeah, because they might prosecute him because of his age.

CALLER: Prosecute him?

CLINIC: Yes. Because he’s 22, right?

CALLER: Yeah. Well, what can happen?

CLINIC: I mean, just don’t let them know it was him. They don’t have to know that.

CALLER: Oh. Okay. But he’s my boyfriend.

CLINIC: I mean, you can make up some type — you know, you don’t have to let them it was him.

CALLER: Okay. So what shall I do then?

CLINIC: I don’t know, sweetie. I’m so sorry. But you really need to — can you talk to your mom about it?

(Phone ringing)

CALLER: No. I mean, both of my parents. They don’t listen to me at all. They don’t ever understand anything.

CLINIC: Hold on. Hold on.

(Pause)

AUTOMATED VOICE: Choosing how to deal with your pregnancy is a difficult and private decision. At the Atlanta Surgi-Center, we’ll help you make an informed choice —

CLINIC: Sweetie, I understand what you’re saying. But my advice, you need to talk to your mom or your dad, whichever one you feel you can talk to.

CALLER: I can’t talk to either one.

CLINIC: I’m sorry. It ain’t nothing I can do.

CALLER: Okay. Well, I’m just really confused. I just have a lot of questions. Could I call you back and ask you, if I thought of something to ask you? What was your name?

CLINIC: Okay. You can call me back in like 10 minutes, but let me get these other two lines, okay? I’m the —

CALLER: Well, what was your name so that I can ask for you.

CLINIC: — only person that answers — I’m the only person that answers the phone.

CALLER: Oh, all right.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: Okay, thanks.

***END***

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
100 EDGEWOOD AVE NE # 1604
ATLANTA, GA 30303-3026
404-688-9300

TAPE – 213

(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Good morning. Planned Parenthood.

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

CLINIC: No, we do not.

CALLER: Do you know of any place that might?

CLINIC: I can give you a referral.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Where do you live?

CALLER: I live in Fayetteville.

CLINIC: Okay. Are you ready to take this down?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: The Atlanta SurgiCenter, 404-892-8608.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: The Atlanta Women’s Medical Center, 404-257-0057. And the Feminist Women’s Health Center, 404-674-7551.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do you know if you have to be a specific age for that? Like I’ll be 14 in March. Is that —

CLINIC: 14?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: Yeah. You have to be 18.

CALLER: Oh. Well, what do I do then?

CLINIC: You will need to notify one of your parents.

CALLER: Really? There’s like no way that I can do that because they can’t find out at all because they like absolutely hate my boyfriend because — well, like they think he’s too old for me, but like he’s only 22. So I don’t understand. But they can’t find out at all.

CLINIC: Then you would need to get what’s called a judicial bypass.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Where you go before the court and you plead to the judge your case why you’re mature enough to make this decision on your own without notifying a parent.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And you would have to do that.

CALLER: Well, do I need like a lawyer or anything?

CLINIC: What you would need to do is come in and — because I do judicial bypasses.

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: And go over — how many weeks pregnant are you?

CALLER: Well, I’m not real sure. Like my last period was like the second week in December.

CLINIC: Okay. What you would need to do is come in here and get proof of pregnancy. That means a urine pregnancy test and a pelvic exam.

CALLER: Okay. And they wouldn’t have to tell anybody about that?

CLINIC: Right.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And you would come in here and get that done, and then you’d come over and see me. My name’s Elizabeth, and I would do, fill out the paperwork for a judicial bypass, and then you would have to see, go meet with the lawyer, and then he would set up a court date, and you’d go with the lawyer to the court.

CALLER: How much does that — like how much does a lawyer cost? Do I have to pay —

CLINIC: No, that doesn’t — it doesn’t cost you anything.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: You’ll just need to — are you in school?

CALLER: Well, I’m homeschooled.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: But does the judge ever say no or anything?

CLINIC: Excuse me?

CALLER: Does the judge ever say no or anything?

CLINIC: They can.

CALLER: Well, I don’t know. What would I do then?

CLINIC: You would either continue the pregnancy or notify a parent.

CALLER: Okay. Okay. Well, is it okay if my boyfriend brings me and everything to get like the pregnancy test?

CLINIC: Sure.

CALLER: Okay. Well, it’s just my friend told me that you guys have to ask about him. Like he’s 22, so is it all right like if he takes care of everything?

CLINIC: I’m not sure because of the age difference and you only being 13.

CALLER: Well, what do you mean? I don’t understand.

CLINIC: Well, I don’t know if there would be a problem with that.

CALLER: Like what kind of problem?

CLINIC: Well, because of the law.

CALLER: What do you mean? I don’t understand.

CLINIC: Well, I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem, but you know the law of the age differences.

CALLER: But we’re in love. We’re going to get married.

CLINIC: Excuse me?

CALLER: We’re in love. We’re going to get married.

CLINIC: I mean, I’m sure there’s not going to be a problem with him bringing you. I mean, I’m sure there’s not.

CALLER: Okay. But you guys wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Okay. Okay. Like say that I wasn’t pregnant after you guys do the pregnancy test. Do you guys have birth control there?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: But you wouldn’t have to tell anybody I’m on birth control?

CLINIC: Correct.

CALLER: Okay. Well, it’s just my boyfriend’s real worried about having to go through this again, so.

CLINIC: Go through what again?

CALLER: Like being scared of being pregnant and having to have an abortion and everything.

CLINIC: Have you been pregnant before?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Okay. Okay. Well, you would just need to come in and get proof of pregnancy and then start working on the judicial bypass.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Thank you.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Bye.

(phone clicks)

*** THE END ***