#807 – Planned Parenthood Of Chester County in West Chester, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF CHESTER COUNTY
8 S. WAYNE ST.
WEST CHESTER, PA 19382
610-692-1770

TAPE – 807

(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)

RECORDING: Thank you for calling Planned Parenthood at Chester County.

(Message repeated in Spanish)

To speak with a receptionist, please remain on the line. If you know your party’s extension, please enter it now or press 9 for a last name directory. Thank you for calling.

One moment please.

RECORDING: Planned Parenthood of Chester County provides a wide variety of reproductive healthcare services, including all —

CLINIC: Planned Parenthood.

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

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: Do you know how much it cost for that?

CLINIC: It would be between 300 and $500.

CALLER: Well, what’s the difference?

CLINIC: We do four types of procedures here. We do two medical and two surgical. The two medical procedures are 350 for the safe and effective alternative method, and $500 for the FDA-approved method. And the surgical procedures are $300 for local anesthesia and $400 with local anesthesia with IV sedation.

CALLER: Okay. My main concern is I’m going to be 14 later on this month, and my friend told me that you guys would have to tell my parents. But my boyfriend’s 22. Can he just take care of it, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: No. In Pennsylvania, before you would be allowed to have an abortion, you would have to either, a) have parental consent of one of your parents, or b) go before a judge for a judicial bypass.

CALLER: Well, what is that? I don’t want my parents to know at all.

CLINIC: Well, what we would do is we would set you up with a woman, Paula, here. And she would take you to a judge. And a judge would decide whether or not he thinks that your parents need to know or not.

CALLER: Well, what if he says that they have to know?

CLINIC: Then you would not be allowed to have an abortion. He wouldn’t tell your parents, but you would not be allowed to have an abortion in Pennsylvania.

CALLER: How much does it cost for the judge?

CLINIC: The judge is included free as a service. We have lawyers.

CALLER: Well, does he usually say it’s all right?

CLINIC: Usually they do, yes. It depends on certain circumstances like how young you are, circumstances around the pregnancy.

CALLER: My boyfriend’s just a great guy, and he said that he would pay for everything. But we don’t want anyone to know about us. Would he have to sign anything or fill out any forms if he was paying?

CLINIC: He may, yeah. If he was paying, he would pay by money order.

CALLER: Well, he said he’d pay everything with cash.

CLINIC: No, we don’t take cash.

CALLER: Oh, okay. So a money order would be the best thing then?

CLINIC: Or a credit card.

CALLER: I think he would probably want to use a money order. But would you have to tell anybody about it?

CLINIC: About what?

CALLER: About my boyfriend.

CLINIC: Well, the judge is going to ask.

CALLER: Oh, okay. What would he ask? Would that be bad?

CLINIC: What do you mean would it be bad?

CALLER: If he knew — my boyfriend doesn’t want anyone to know about him.

CLINIC: Right. And why would that be?

CALLER: Well, he just doesn’t want anyone to know about us, because he doesn’t want his ex-wife to know and we don’t want my parents to know. And we just don’t want to get in trouble.

CLINIC: The judge is going to ask you questions like that. And number one, because you are very young and your boyfriend is over 18, that’s basically illegal.

CALLER: It’s illegal?

CLINIC: Yeah.

CALLER: Why?

CLINIC: How old are you?

CALLER: I’m going to be 14 on the 19th.

CLINIC: And how old is your boyfriend?

CALLER: Twenty-two.

CLINIC: Yeah. In Pennsylvania that’s considered statutory rape.

CALLER: He’s not raping me. I mean, we’re in love. We’re going to be married. I don’t understand. He said he would take care of me for the rest of my life. He can’t be in trouble. He’s the only one that’s there for me.

CLINIC: I’m not saying that. I’m just telling you that the judge is going to ask you those questions.

CALLER: Well, what should I do? What should I say?

CLINIC: You have to tell the truth. You’ll be under oath.

CALLER: Okay. Well, what would happen?

CLINIC: I don’t know. That depends on the judge.

CALLER: Well, what’s the worst thing that could happen?

CLINIC: I can’t say. I don’t know.

CALLER: Okay. Well, I haven’t had a pregnancy test yet. Would you guys be able to do that there and not tell anybody?

CLINIC: We have confidentiality here. If you come in for a pregnancy test, the only way people —

CALLER: Well, if my boyfriend brought me in there, then you wouldn’t have to tell anybody about him either?

CLINIC: I don’t know.

CALLER: Okay. So would it be better that he wasn’t there?

CLINIC: No, no. We have confidentiality. We’re not going to tell anybody anything about your history if you are a patient.

CALLER: But what about him?

CLINIC: If he’s not our patient, we’re not going to know anything about him.

CALLER: Okay. All right. So I shouldn’t say anything about him then?

CLINIC: What’s that?

CALLER: So I shouldn’t say anything about him then?

CLINIC: I don’t know what you’re asking me.

CALLER: Well, I don’t know what I need to do. I just don’t want anyone to get in trouble.

CLINIC: Okay. Well, basically you need to come in for a pregnancy test if you’re not sure you’re pregnant.

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

CLINIC: If you’re a teen, your services here are free for things like that. You would still be required to pay for your procedure however.

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

CLINIC: You would have to have a full exam with us to get birth control here.

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

CLINIC: Your services here until you’re 18 are free.

CALLER: Oh, all right. But we just don’t want to have to go through all this again, so we were wanting birth control. Would you have to tell anybody if I was on birth control?

CLINIC: Hang on one second.

(Pause)

CLINIC: No. It’s all confidential just like any other doctor records. They’re confidential. No one can see your records without your written permission.

CALLER: Okay. I don’t drive yet. Would my boyfriend be able to pick up the birth control pills?

CLINIC: Sure. If he had a note from you and it was kept in your chart.

CALLER: All right. I’m just really confused about all this. I need to think about this. But if I had any other things to ask, could I talk to you? What was your name?

CLINIC: My name is Laurie. You can call me back anytime. I’m here pretty much everyday.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Okay. Thanks.

CLINIC: Thank you. Bye.

***END***

#652 – Office Of Dr. Joel Stein in Bala Cynwyd, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

OFFICE OF DR. JOEL STEIN
301 E. CITY AVE
BALA CYNWYD, PA 19004
610-664-6004

TAPE – 652

(Dialing, phone ringing 2x)

CLINIC: Hello. Dr. Stein’s office.

CALLER: Hi. I was calling because my friend told me to call you guys about getting an abortion there.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: Do you guys do abortions there?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, do you know how much it cost to do that?

CLINIC: How far pregnant are you?

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

CLINIC: January?

CALLER: January 3rd, yeah.

CLINIC: And that was the first day of your last period?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. You’re in like the nine-week range if that was your last period.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Dr. Stein does the procedure up to 12 weeks.

CALLER: All right. Well, how much would it cost then?

CLINIC: Do you have insurance?

CALLER: Well, my boyfriend said that he would pay for everything.

CLINIC: So you’re not using insurance.

CALLER: Right.

CLINIC: $425.

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

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: No?

CLINIC: It’s a state law. You have to have a parent come with you for counseling. The only way around that is with a court order.

CALLER: What do I do for that?

CLINIC: You go before a judge to get a court order.

CALLER: Well, how much does that cost?

CLINIC: What? To go to court?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: I have no idea. But it would take a long time, and you might be too far by the time you get that done.

CALLER: Well, I can’t tell my parents at all. Is that the only way not to tell my parents?

CLINIC: Yes. It’s a state law. Hold on a minute.

CALLER: Okay.

(Pause)

CLINIC: You can go to New Jersey.

CALLER: I could go to New Jersey. And that’s all right there?

CLINIC: They don’t have the same laws.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Hold on a minute, and I’ll give you a number.

CALLER: Okay.

(Pause)

CLINIC: Hello?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: 1-800-240-6730. That’s South Jersey Women’s Center, and it’s in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

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

CLINIC: No. You can buy one over the counter.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: We do the same kind that they have.

CALLER: So they’re usually right then?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, if it ended up that I wasn’t pregnant, could I go there and get birth control?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: But would you have to tell anybody about that though?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Oh, okay. It’s just me and my boyfriend don’t want to go through all this anymore.

CLINIC: I don’t blame you. It’s not a pleasant thing.

CALLER: So I could just take a pregnancy test from the store?

CLINIC: Right.

CALLER: So if I wasn’t pregnant, could I call you back? What was your name?

CLINIC: Laney (sp).

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: And would my boyfriend be able to come in with me?

CLINIC: Uh-huh.

CALLER: He just doesn’t want a whole bunch of people to know about us.

CLINIC: Yeah, that’s fine.

CALLER: All right. Thanks

CLINIC: All right. Okay.

CALLER: Bye.

***END***

#653 – Philadelphia Women’s Center in Philadelphia, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PHILADELPHIA WOMEN’S CENTER
225 S. 15TH ST. # 301
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102
215-546-2330

TAPE – 653

(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: Hello, Philadelphia Women Center. Laura speaking. How may I help you?

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

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: Well, how much does that cost?

CLINIC: How far are you in your pregnancy?

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

CLINIC: Our fees go by gestational sizing. Did you do a pregnancy test?

CALLER: Well, no. I just haven’t had my period for a while. I’m real scared.

CLINIC: Okay. You need to do a pregnancy test first to see if you pregnant because sometimes a missed period can be other things.

CALLER: Well, do you guys do that there?

CLINIC: We have walk-ins.

CALLER: What time?

CLINIC: You have to be here by 1:30.

CALLER: Today?

CLINIC: Right.

CALLER: Okay. Do you do it any other day?

CLINIC: Any day between — on like procedure days it’s 12 to 1:30, and on any other days, like Wednesday or Thursday, come between 8 and 1:30.

CALLER: My friend told me that since I’m going to be 14 later on this month 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: No. He’s not your guardian. You can go by judicial bypass.

CALLER: What is that?

CLINIC: When you go into a lawyer. We give you a lawyer’s name. She’ll take you in front of a judge. The judge will give you consent to do your own —

CALLER: Well, how much does that cost?

CLINIC: That’s free.

CALLER: Oh, really?

CLINIC: Um-hmm. Okay. But does a judge ever say no?

CLINIC: I haven’t heard him say no.

CALLER: Oh, okay. So I just come in there and get a pregnancy test. And if it’s positive, go to the judge?

CLINIC: No. You have to make an appointment and have all that done before you go — no, you don’t go to the judge. They give you a lawyer’s name.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Tell them you want to go by judicial bypass because you don’t want your parent to know. You have to make an appointment first, then they do all that, and give you a phone number to call.

CALLER: If it ended up that I wasn’t pregnant, could I get birth control that day?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Oh. Okay.

CLINIC: You need to go to a free clinic like Planned Parenthood Teen Clinic. They have a teen clinic.

CALLER: But would they have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: So if I came in there for a pregnancy test, would anybody have to know I was there?

CLINIC: No, unless you tell them. Anywhere like that, they’re not suppose to tell your parent. Even the people at Planned Parenthood, they wouldn’t tell.

CALLER: Me and my boyfriend were talking about all this, and we don’t want anyone to find out about us. Would you guys have to tell anybody about us?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: He said that he would pay for everything. Would he have to sign any papers or anything?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Oh, all right. Well, if I was on birth control —

CLINIC: The only paper he would sign would be an escort paper.

CALLER: A what?

CLINIC: Escort.

CALLER: What does that mean?

CLINIC: That he’s responsible for taking you home because they’re going to give you anesthesia.

CALLER: Well, would you have to give that to anybody else?

CLINIC: It doesn’t go off your chart. All this is confidential. Everything stays in the chart.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: The only way anybody outside finds out unless you go tell.

CALLER: So if I was on birth control you wouldn’t have to tell anybody either?

CLINIC: We don’t tell about birth control.

CALLER: Okay. All right.

CLINIC: Nobody’s suppose to tell. That’s confidential.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? Unless you tell. The only way your parents are gonna find out is unless you slip up and leave it around for them to see. They don’t call houses and tell them anything, unless you tell one of your friends, and they might tell.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: So you keep that to yourself. Okay?

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: Okay then.

CALLER: What was your name again? (Clinic hangs up) Are you there?

***END***

#654 – Hillcrest Women’s Medical Center in Harrisburg, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

HILLCREST WOMEN’S MEDICAL CENTER
2709 N. FRONT ST.
HARRISBURG, PA 17110
717-234-4994

TAPE – 654

(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: Good afternoon, Hillcrest.

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

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: How much does that cost?

CLINIC: If you’re 12 weeks or under it’s $310.

CALLER: Okay. Well, how do you know if you are or not?

CLINIC: When was your last period?

CALLER: January 3rd.

CLINIC: Yeah, you’re about nine weeks or so.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? And that’s under 12. So it would be 310.

CALLER: 310?

CLINIC: Yeah. Do you know your blood type?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Well, if it’s negative — we’ll draw your blood here. If it’s negative, that’s an additional 50.

CALLER: Oh, okay. I’m going to be 14 in March. I’ll be 14 on the 20th, 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: Nope, hon. Not here in the state of Pennsylvania. If you want to go — I have a number — well, hold on one second.

CALLER: Okay.

(Pause)

CLINIC: Okay, hon. I can give you the number to our other clinic, and over there you don’t have to have to parental consent. But it’s about an hour and 15 minutes from Harrisburg.

CALLER: Where is it?

CLINIC: It’s in Maryland. Where do you live?

CALLER: I live in Carlyle.

CLINIC: Okay. What’s your name?

CALLER: It’s Lisa.

CLINIC: Okay. So you don’t want to tell your parents?

CALLER: Right. I can’t tell them at all. I mean, they know my boyfriend and they know we’re going out, but they don’t know we’re having sex. If they found out about that I don’t know what they would do.

CLINIC: Well, I can give you the number to our other clinic. That’s about all I can do for you.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: It’s 1-800-260-2464.

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

CLINIC: You didn’t take the test yet?

CALLER: Well, no. I just haven’t had my period in a long time

CLINIC: Okay. What you should do, hon, is probably go — I know there’s a Planned Parenthood in Carlyle.

CALLER: Oh, really?

CLINIC: Yeah. And they do free pregnancy tests there. So before you make any phone calls, why don’t you just go ahead and do that so you don’t have to pay for anything. Just go in there. I think they’re probably open now. It’s up on Brookwood (sp) Avenue, up by Nails and Friendly’s and all that. And give them a call; it’s in the phone book. A matter of fact, I’ll just give you the number.

CALLER: Well, my friend told me to go to you guys; that you were better.

CLINIC: They’re just going to do a pregnancy test, this place here, so that way you can at least be sure.

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Because if you’re not pregnant, you don’t have to go anywhere and do anything.

CALLER: Well, if I wasn’t pregnant, could I get birth control?

CLINIC: Yeah, you can do that.

CALLER: But would you have to tell anybody about that though?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Oh. Okay.

CLINIC: (Talking to somebody else) Planned Parenthood won’t tell your parents for birth control, do they?

No. You can go to the same place where I’m giving you the number. Say your pregnancy test is negative, they will give you birth control, and your parents do not have to know.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: You ready?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: You have a pen?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: 243-0515.

CALLER: Okay. And you’re sure they wouldn’t tell anybody about anything?

CLINIC: Oh yeah, I’m positive.

CALLER: All right. If it turned out that I was pregnant, could I call and ask you questions before I call the other place? What was your name?

CLINIC: Sure. Anita.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay. Bye bye.

CALLER: But if I came to you, would I have to tell anybody to come to you?

CLINIC: If you come here — if you go anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania you’re going to have to inform your parents, anywhere in the state. That’s why I was going to give you the number to our clinic in Maryland. You said your boyfriend’s 22, so he should be able to drive.

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Does he have a car?

CALLER: Yeah, he has a car.

CLINIC: Okay. Then he could get you there then.

CALLER: But if I came to you for a pregnancy test, would you have to tell anybody then?

CLINIC: Oh, no, not if you just come in for a pregnancy test. Can you get here today?

CALLER: Well, I’d have to call my boyfriend to see. But what time?

CLINIC: Because if you come here today I’ll do it for you, before 5:00. By 4:30 you should be here, and I’ll do it for you, okay?

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

CLINIC: Nope. Nope. I don’t have to tell anybody anything. You just come in here, and I’ll give you a test, okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: All right?

CALLER: Thank you.

CLINIC: Sure. Bye.

***END***

#655 – Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center For Women in Philadelphia, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

ELIZABETH BLACKWELL HEALTH CENTER FOR WOMEN
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107
215-923-1124

TAPE – 655

(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: Good afternoon, Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center.

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

CLINIC: Our clinic has closed. We’re no longer providing services here.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Have you located any other facilities?

CALLER: Well, no. My friend gave me this number.

CLINIC: Who’s that?

CALLER: My friend.

CLINIC: Oh, okay. Yeah. We’re no longer providing services. Are you in Center City?

CALLER: I’m in Ambler.

CLINIC: So you’re out in the county. If you want to come into Center City there’s either Philadelphia Women’s Center or Planned Parenthood.

CALLER: Okay. Which one is better you think?

CLINIC: They’re both fine.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Yes, they’re both fine. Okay?

CALLER: All right. So just call and talk to them?

CLINIC: Yep.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: All righty. Good luck to you.

CALLER: Thanks.

***END***

#656 – Allegheny Reproductive Health Center in Pittsburgh, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

ALLEGHENY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CENTER
200 NORTH HIGHLAND FL 2
PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412-661-8811

TAPE – 656

(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: Allegheny Reproductive. Can I help you?

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

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: How much does that cost?

CLINIC: When was the first day of the last normal period that you had?

CALLER: January 3rd.

CLINIC: Do you have any kind of medical coverage?

CALLER: No. But my boyfriend said that he would pay for everything.

CLINIC: To be awake with a local anesthetic, $375. We have something called alternative pain management, where in addition to the local anesthetic you can have a valium and we show you some relaxation techniques. That would be $400. And to have a IV sedation which is a twilight sleep, that would be $440.

CALLER: Okay. The thing is, I’m going to be 14 on the 20th, and my friend said 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: We don’t have to tell your parents, but you have to go before a judge.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: So because you’re not able to tell your parents, you have to go before a judge.

CALLER: Well, how much does that cost?

CLINIC: It’s all within the same cost that I told you.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Does the judge ever say no?

CLINIC: No, the judge says yes.

CALLER: Oh, okay. I could come in for a pregnancy test, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody either?

CLINIC: Yeah. You can run a pregnancy test at home.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Have you not run a pregnancy test yet?

CALLER: No. I just haven’t had my period for a while, and I’m just scared.

CLINIC: Yeah. Yeah. Do you get periods every month?

CALLER: Usually.

CLINIC: Okay. Yeah, you can go to the store and buy one of those EPT pregnancy tests.

CALLER: Are those usually right though?

CLINIC: Yes, they are.

CALLER: But do you guys do those there?

CLINIC: Well, we will do one, but we want you to have done one. Because it doesn’t make any sense to come all the way here and have to worry about getting all this money together and this and that without even being pregnant. So that’s why we want you to at least run the test, and then you know that you’re are. Because there’s a chance that you’re not if you haven’t run a test.

CALLER: Okay. Well, if it turned out that I was pregnant, would my boyfriend be able to bring me here?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: It’s just we were talking about all this, and we don’t want anybody to know about us. So would you have to tell anybody if he was here?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: No, we don’t have to tell anybody anything.

CALLER: Well, if it turned out that I wasn’t pregnant, could I come there and get birth control?

CLINIC: Yeah. Where do you live though?

CALLER: I live in Bethel Park.

CLINIC: Okay. Yeah, you could come here.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: Um-hmm.

CALLER: But would you have to tell anybody if I was on birth control though?

CLINIC: Nope.

CALLER: Oh, okay. So just go and take a pregnancy test, and then call you back? What was your name?

CLINIC: My name is Ronnie.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: What’s your first name?

CALLER: Lisa.

CLINIC: Lisa.

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay, Lisa.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Bye bye.

CALLER: Bye.

***END***

#657 – Allegheny Women’s Center in Pittsburgh, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

ALLEGHENY WOMEN’S CENTER
121 NORTH HIGHLAND
PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412-362-2920

TAPE – 657

(Dialing, phone ringing 3x)

CLINIC: Allegheny Women’s Center. How may I direct your call?

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

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: Well, I just had some questions and just wanting to talk to somebody.

CLINIC: Okay. I’m going to transfer you to that line. And if at anytime you choose to make an appointment, you can just press zero to get back to me.

CALLER: Okay.

(Short pause)

RECORDING: Hi. My name’s Theresa, and I’m one of the counselors here at Allegheny Women’s Center. If you’re listening to this message, you or someone you care about is considering abortion. I’m sure you’re probably scared, disappointed in yourself or your birth control, and you’re just plain confused. Hopefully, I’ll be able to ease your fears by answering a lot of your questions before you even have a chance to ask them.

First of all, first trimester legal abortion is one of the safest procedures performed in America. Nothing that’s done during a routine abortion affects future pregnancies in any way. Our doctors are board certified professionals who give up their time and actually put their lives at risk to come here and help. I know I personally am involved at Allegheny Women’s Center because I want to help people not hurt them. We want to give every woman the opportunity to take the life’s path that’s best for them.

We perform two types of abortion procedures here at Allegheny Women’s Center, the surgical and the non-surgical. The non-surgical is called the “early option pill.” It can be effectively taken up to eight weeks in pregnancy. We use a combination of medications which causes spontaneous abortion. It involves two visits to the office and side effects include headache, nausea diarrhea and bleeding and cramping. No long-term side effects are associated with this medication. The cost is $400.

We also offer the surgical procedure. The method that we use is called a vacuum aspiration. It takes approximately five minutes. You’ll probably feel some cramping, tugging, pulling kind of feelings during the procedure. We do offer some anesthesia choices if you’re interested. The cost of the procedure depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy. If you’re between 7 and 12 weeks it’s $360 to stay awake with a local anesthetic. If you think you can be still, being awake is fine. If you don’t think that you can be still, you should consider the twilight anesthesia. It’s $40 extra, and it’s a medication that’s given to you in injection form which will help to relax you. If you don’t want to be aware of anything or feel anything during the procedure, you should be asleep for the procedure. That’s an extra $110.

If you are under seven weeks, the cost of the procedure is $25 more, and once you hit 12 weeks, the price increases $100 a week. The furthest that we can go in the pregnancy at this time is 16 weeks. You can talk with your appointment counselor for more information about our appointments and prices. But before you go I just wanted to let you know that in my opinion abortion is nothing to be ashamed of. It takes a brave person to admit that they made a mistake and to take the necessary steps to correct it. Almost half of the women in America have had an abortion, so believe me, you’re not alone. And all of us at Allegheny Women’s Center are here to help you if you need us.

If you’re calling during office hours all you have to do is press zero, and you’ll be transferred to an appointment counselor. If it’s after hours, if you press zero you’ll get transferred to our voicemail, and you can leave us a message if you’d like. Our offices are usually open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thank you for your time, and I hope I was able to help you. Thank you (dial button pressed).

(Message repeated; dial button pressed).

(Phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: Hello. Allegheny Women’s Center. How may I direct your call?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was just listening to the thing about abortion, but I just have questions still. Could I ask you?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: My main question is, I’m going to be 14 on the 20th, and my friend told me 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: No, you can’t. Nope. You have to do what we call a judicial bypass.

CALLER: What is that?

CLINIC: You have to get these papers. You’ll make an appointment, you’ll come in, you’ll get some papers. The day of your appointment they’ll give you an exam, and then they’ll give you instructions on how to go about doing a judicial bypass. And that will get permission without parental consent.

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

CLINIC: Nothing.

CALLER: Nothing?

CLINIC: No, that’s what you have to do since you’re a minor; if you don’t want your parents involved.

CALLER: Does the judge say no or anything?

CLINIC: No. You have to go before him so that you can do that without your parents’ consent.

CALLER: Okay. Well, my friend said that you would have to tell about my boyfriend though.

CLINIC: Huh?

CALLER: My friend told me you would have to tell about my boyfriend because he’s 22.

CLINIC: Have to do what to your boyfriend?

CALLER: She said that you guys would have to tell about him.

CLINIC: When you come the director will explain that to you. We don’t tell anything. You tell about him.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: We don’t know about him, you know what I mean? You have to tell about him.

CALLER: Okay. But do you guys do pregnancy tests there?

CLINIC: Uh-huh, and they’re a dollar.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, would you have to tell anybody if I was there for that though?

CLINIC: No, hon. We don’t tell any information.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: No matter how old you are, we’re not allowed to give any information.

CALLER: Well, if it ended up that I wasn’t pregnant, do you guys have birth control there too?

CLINIC: Yes, we do. And we also have the Depo.

CALLER: How much does that cost?

CLINIC: A gyn/pap exam, it would be $60. So that’s just for the exam and birth control. That’s for birth control pills. It will be 60 with the exam — 40/60 for the pills, okay? Then they give you an exam. You get six months worth of pills. You get two free here and four on a prescription. And then if you like the Depo it’s 90 because it’s 50 for the Depo.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Did you want to make an appointment?

CALLER: Well, I have to tell my boyfriend to know. But would anybody have to know if I was on birth control though?

CLINIC: None of your information is allowed to be given.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Let me call my boyfriend and see, and I’ll call you back. What was your name?

CLINIC: My name is Denita (ph).

CALLER: Okay. All right. So let me call him and call you back.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: All right. Thanks.

CLINIC: Okay. Bye bye.

***END***

#667 – Allentown Women’s Center in Allentown, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

ALLENTOWN WOMEN’S CENTER
1810 STEELSTONE RD.
ALLENTOWN, PA 18103
610-264-5657

TAPE – 667

(Dialing, phone did not ring)

RECORDING: Thank you for calling the Allentown Women’s Center. (Message continued in Spanish).

Please listen to the following options. To schedule or change an appointment for an abortion, press 3. To schedule or change — (dial button pressed).

Your call is being transferred.

(Phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: May 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 that cost?

CLINIC: What was the first day of your last period?

CALLER: January 3rd.

CLINIC: Okay. Under 12 weeks it’s $350 to be awake, $370 to be awake with the medication to keep you relax, and $450 to be asleep.

What’s your date of birth?

CALLER: March 19, 1988.

CLINIC: Okay. And how old are you?

CALLER: I’m going to be 14 on the 19th.

CLINIC: Okay. Have you told a parent yet?

CALLER: No, I can’t. That was one of my other questions. I can’t tell them at all. They can’t find out. My boyfriend’s 22. Would he be okay to take care of it, and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: No. Actually, either you’re going to need to tell your parents or we could do something called judicial bypass. Let me put you on the line with our head counselor that’s in charge of that, okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: What’s your first name?

CALLER: Lisa.

CLINIC: Okay, Lisa. Hold on.

(Pause)

RECORDING: We know that coping with an unplanned pregnancy is complicated. AWC has non-judgmental counselors who listen and can help you sort through feelings, discuss your concerns, clarify your decision, and ease your anxiety. Non-directive options counseling, pre-abortion counseling, and post-abortion counseling are offered at no charge for patients, parents and partners.

This is a delicate issue, so we know that finding the right healthcare provider is very important. Our highly qualified staff is caring and supportive providing a comfortable atmosphere. The Allentown Women’s Center performs abortions prior to 16 weeks of pregnancy using either local anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Non-surgical or medical abortions using medication are performed to seven weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy termination at AWC —

CLINIC: Alicia (sp). Is Alicia or is it —

CALLER: It’s Lisa.

CLINIC: Licia, just with an “L”?

CALLER: No, just Lisa.

CLINIC: Oh, Lisa, as in the (unclear) Lisa.

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Let me get your phone number. Is there somewhere where I can have — her name’s Tia. I’ll have her give you a call back.

CALLER: I can’t do that. I’m at my friend’s house, and her mom would answer the phone, and I will get in trouble.

CLINIC: For getting a phone call (chuckles)?

CALLER: Well, I’m at my friend’s house.

CLINIC: She’ll just say hi, this is Tia. She won’t say from the Women’s Center.

CALLER: Is it okay if I just call you back?

CLINIC: Yeah. What I do is let her know so that she can have everything together that she needs to tell you. Okay?

CALLER: When should I call her.

CLINIC: She just went into a meeting with our boss. If you want to give a call back in like half an hour.

CALLER: Okay. What was her name?

CLINIC: Her name is Tia.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And you can call the same number you did, and when it says if you know the extension, it’s extension number 12.

CALLER: Twelve? Okay.

CLINIC: Okay, Lisa.

CALLER: Well, do you guys actually do pregnancy tests there?

CLINIC: Did you take a pregnancy test?

CALLER: Well, no.

CLINIC: Where do you live?

CALLER: I live in Perryville.

CLINIC: Perryville?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Oh, I know where that is. I know in Lehighton there’s a Family Planning clinic. They might do them for free there.

CALLER: Oh, really?

CLINIC: Yeah. I know it’s Lehighton. I know there’s one in Allentown, but pretty much any over-the-counter, if you go to the drug store like Thrift Drug are accurate up there. Those are pretty much the same test as you would get at like a clinic. Like a EPT or a Clear Blue, a test like that would be just as accurate.

CALLER: If ended up that I wasn’t pregnant after I took one of those, could I get birth control there?

CLINIC: Yeah, absolutely. Or your other option will be Planned Parenthood. You get birth control for free up to you’re 18 years old.

CALLER: But would anybody have to know if I was on birth control?

CLINIC: No, not at all. Not at all. And your closest Planned Parenthood would be Allentown. So if you need us, call us back, or if you want to call and just talk to Tia, you can do that too. And like I said, she’ll probably be back in her office around quarter after 4.

CALLER: Okay. Well, me and my boyfriend were talking about all this, and we don’t want anyone to know about us. Would they have to find out about us if I was on birth control?

CLINIC: You mean like your family or anybody?

CALLER: Just anybody.

CLINIC: I’m not sure. I don’t think so.

CALLER: Because we don’t want his ex-wife to know either.

CLINIC: You don’t want what?

CALLER: We don’t wan this ex-wife to know either.

CLINIC: No. I mean, everything that goes on between you and your gynecologist is strictly between you and your gynecologist as far as if you’re on birth control or anything like that.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: So —

CLINIC: Give us a call back to talk at quarter after 4. She should be back.

CALLER: Okay. Well, what was your name?

CLINIC: My name’s Kristen.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay. If you need anything, give me a call.

CALLER: Okay. Thank you.

CLINIC: Uh-huh. Bye bye.

***END***

#651 – Planned Parenthood – Women’s Health Services in Pittsburgh, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD – WOMEN’S HEALTH SERVICES
PITTSBURGH, PA 15222
412-562-1910

TAPE – 651

(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)

CLINIC: Good morning, Planned Parenthood, Women’s Health Services. This is Joyce. May I help you?

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

CLINIC: Yes, we do, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

CALLER: How much does that cost?

CLINIC: Well, it depends how far along you are. But what was the first day of your last normal period?

CALLER: January 3rd.

CLINIC: January 3rd??

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: Okay. All right, let’s take a look here. And that’s when it started, correct?

CALLER: Right.

CLINIC: All right. Right now you are between eight and nine weeks. The fee up to 12 weeks is $365.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Are you covered by any insurance?

CALLER: Well, my boyfriend said that he would pay for everything.

CLINIC: And how old are you?

CALLER: I’m going to be 14 on March 20th. Would you have to tell my parents?

CLINIC: Yes, you do. You have to.

CALLER: My boyfriend’s 22. Could he just sign whatever it is?

CLINIC: It has nothing to do with your boyfriend and how old he is. It has to do with you and the state law. The state law requires that you come with a mother or father. And they have to prove that they’re your mother or father. So you need to talk to a parent.

CALLER: But I can’t talk to them. I mean, they can’t find out at all.

CLINIC: Okay. Then we would have to go through a judicial bypass.

CALLER: What is that?

CLINIC: You would have to come in for a visit prior to the abortion. That would be 120 at that visit, and that would be applied to your abortion. You would talk to one of our counselors who would give you all the information about going to court. You would have to go to court to receive a bypass from the judge there.

CALLER: Well, do I need a lawyer?

CLINIC: No. No, you don’t.

CALLER: How much does it cost for the bypass thing?

CLINIC: As I said, it’s $120, but that would be applied to your abortion fee.

CALLER: Oh, all right.

CLINIC: And the next day we could see you would be on Friday or Saturday.

CALLER: Well, does the judge ever say no?

CLINIC: I don’t know. I don’t know if they have in Allegheny County or not. I don’t believe so.

CALLER: Oh, really?

CLINIC: But they will ask you some questions, and of course why you want to do this, and why you have not been able to talk to a parent about it.

CALLER: Well, they just don’t ever listen to me. I mean, they never understand anything.

CLINIC: Well, I would be very upset if my 14-year-old were pregnant to a 22-year-old. So I can understand them being upset about it. But then after the upset being over, do you think they would come around and be reasonable after they screamed at you for a while?

CALLER: I don’t know. I don’t think so. I mean, they’d be furious. They know my boyfriend, and they know we’re going out, but they have no idea we’re having sex. I mean, if they found out about that, I don’t know what would happen let alone being pregnant.

CLINIC: I’m not sure why they’re allowing a 14-year-old to date a 22-year-old. Hold on a second.

CALLER: Okay.

(Pause)

CLINIC: But by any token we could bring you in on either Friday or Saturday. Do you know which day you’d like to come in?

CALLER: Well, I don’t know. I have to call my boyfriend. He’d be the only way I could get there.

CLINIC: Right, exactly. Well, call and talk to him and see what he has to say. That appointment would definitely be in the morning. Okay?

CALLER: But you wouldn’t have to tell anybody about my boyfriend though?

CLINIC: Would we tell anyone?

CALLER: Right.

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: So it’s all right if he’s there with me?

CLINIC: Yes. Now, he can’t come back into the clinic, but he can be at the clinic at the outer waiting room waiting for you.

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

CLINIC: We would be sending you to our parent company Planned Parenthood on Ninth Street. You have not had a positive pregnancy test then?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Okay. Well, then we couldn’t schedule anything anyway. You have to have done that first.

CALLER: Oh, all right.

CLINIC: You have to have had a positive pregnancy test for us to schedule you with anything.

CALLER: But do you guys do that there?

CLINIC: I’m sorry? Yes. You can come in, but that would be something separate. You can come in tomorrow with your first morning urine, and we could run a pregnancy test on it.

CALLER: What time?

CLINIC: Between 9 and 2.

CALLER: Oh, okay. So if I had any other questions, could I call you? What was your name?

CLINIC: My name’s Joyce. You can talk to anyone though because I may not be in here whenever you call back, okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: So you can talk to anyone about more information. But the first thing you have to do is to have a pregnancy test done.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: All right. You wouldn’t have to tell anybody about a pregnancy test?

CLINIC: No, no. Everything is very confidential.

CALLER: All right. Thank you.

CLINIC: Okay, hon. Bye bye.

CALLER: Bye.

***END***

#534 – Planned Parenthood in Doylestown, PA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
301 S MAIN ST # 2E
DOYLESTOWN, PA 18901-4886
215-348-0555

TAPE – 534

(dialing sounds) (ringing 1X)

CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. How may I help you?

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

CLINIC: We do them in the (Warminster?) Office, but we do all the referrals here, which is required by the state. Would you like to make an appointment?

CALLER: Well, I don’t know. Could I ask a couple questions first?

CLINIC: Sure. Uh-huh.

CALLER: I’m just really worried about all this because — well, I’m going to be 14 in March, and my friend said that you guys would have to tell my parents. But my boyfriend is 22. Is he old enough to take care of it and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody about anything?

CLINIC: No. No, no, no. If you — in the state of Pennsylvania parental — you have to have parental consent to be eligible for an abortion. If you have the procedure done in New Jersey then he can take you and you can have it without your parents knowing.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: Uh-huh.

CALLER: Okay. Well —

CLINIC: Do you want me to give you a couple numbers you can try?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. There’s a facility in Princeton called the Princeton Women’s Center.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: That’s about the closest one to us, and I’ll give you that number as soon as I find it here. I know the doctor that works over there, and they’ll take care of you really well.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Here it is. It’s 1-800-216-0016.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay, you just call them and they’ll set up everything that you need to do.

CALLER: Well, could I come in there for like a pregnancy test though? It’s just, I’m just worried about all this because I haven’t had my period since like December 21st, and I’m so scared.

CLINIC: Okay. So you haven’t taken a home pregnancy test or anything like that?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Okay. That’s fine.

CALLER: I didn’t think that they were right or anything.

CLINIC: Yeah, they are.

CALLER: Oh. But could I still come in there?

CLINIC: Sure. I’m going to look and see when I can see you. Where do you live?

CALLER: I live here in Doylestown.

CLINIC: Oh, okay, good, so you’re close. Well, I’d be happy to see you tonight at 6:00.

CALLER: Okay. Well, I’d have to call my boyfriend to see. He would be the only way I could get here. Would that be all right if he was there?

CLINIC: Sure.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: What is your last name?

CALLER: It’s Smith.

CLINIC: Your first name?

CALLER: Christine.

CLINIC: With a K?

CALLER: A C-H.

CLINIC: What is your date of birth?

CALLER: It’s March 19, 1988. But would you guys have to tell anybody if I was getting a pregnancy test though?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: It’s confidential. ’88. You’re not 14 yet, are you?

CALLER: Right.

CLINIC: Wow. Okay. Just come on in. You know, your visit is going to be completely anonymous. We’ll run a pregnancy test for you but there is a paperwork you have to fill out as part of our procedure. But it’s confidential. So you don’t have to worry about anybody finding out. And then they’ll give you referrals for your procedure.

CALLER: Okay. Well, my boyfriend said that he would pay for everything. Would he have to sign anything too?

CLINIC: No, as long as you have cash.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: All right?

CALLER: Okay. Well, if it ended up that I wasn’t pregnant, could I get birth control there?

CLINIC: Oh, absolutely, sure.

CALLER: It’s just, we don’t want to have to go through all this again.

CLINIC: All right. Sure. Sure you can.

CALLER: Well, would you have to know — would anybody have to know if I was on birth control though?

CLINIC: Nope. (chuckles)

CALLER: Oh, okay. Well, the thing is, I can’t drive, but my boyfriend can. Would he be able to pick up the birth control if —

CLINIC: No. You have to come in yourself to get your own pills.

CALLER: Oh, really?

CLINIC: Yep.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: All right?

CALLER: Well, could I — if I had any other questions could I call and talk to you?

CLINIC: Yeah, my name —

CALLER: What was your name?

CLINIC: My name is Lynne.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Okay, thank you.

CLINIC: Bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

*** THE END ***