Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
VERMONT WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER (P.P. AFFILIATE)
336 NORTH AVE.
BURLINGTON, VT 5401
802-863-1386
TAPE – 642
(Dialing, phone ringing 2x)
CLINIC: Women’s Health Center.
CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was calling to see if you guys do abortions there.
CLINIC: We actually don’t provide surgical abortions here. We do that at the Planned Parenthood in Burlington, and they take care of all the scheduling there.
CALLER: Okay. Is this a Planned Parenthood center though?
CLINIC: We are an affiliate.
CALLER: Oh. Okay. The reason why I’m calling is because my friend told me to call you guys. Do you guys do pregnancy tests there?
CLINIC: We do that, yeah.
CALLER: Oh, okay. I’m just kind of scared of all this because I haven’t had my period since January 3rd, and I’m just really worried.
CLINIC: Have you done a pregnancy test?
CALLER: Well, no.
CLINIC: Well, it sounds like you should do that before you jump to any conclusions about getting an abortion.
CALLER: The thing is, I’m going to be 14 at the end of the month, and my friend said that they would have to tell my parents about all this. But my boyfriend’s 22. Could he just sign whatever it is, and they wouldn’t have to tell anybody about anything?
CLINIC: Well, we would not need to tell your parents regardless
CALLER: Is there anyone else?
CLINIC: Well, if you are 14 and you have a partner who’s 22, that might be something that we need to talk about.
CALLER: What do you mean?
CLINIC: That is something that might possibly, depending on the situation, be reportable to the state.
CALLER: To the state?
CLINIC: Um-hmm.
CALLER: Well, what could happen?
CLINIC: I don’t know the answer to that.
CALLER: Well, would I get in trouble?
CLINIC: I don’t believe so.
CALLER: Would my boyfriend get in trouble?
CLINIC: I don’t know the answer to that. You’d have to discuss that with a provider.
CALLER: Okay. The thing is, if I come in there for a pregnancy test, would you have to say anything?
CLINIC: I’m sorry?
CALLER: If I came in there for a pregnancy test, would you have to say anything about anything?
CLINIC: I don’t know the answer to that. If you wanted a pregnancy test, Planned Parenthood has walk-in hours this afternoon —
CALLER: Where?
CLINIC: — from 1 to 7. At Planned Parenthood.
CALLER: Oh. The one in Burlington?
CLINIC: Yep. And I think if you are a teenage, I think the pregnancy tests are —
CALLER: Well, would they have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: — free. I don’t know the answer to that. You’d have to talk to them.
CALLER: Well, if turned out that I wasn’t pregnant, could I come there for birth control?
CLINIC: Yep. You would need to have an appointment for that.
CALLER: Oh, okay. If I was on birth control, would you have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: No.
CALLER: Oh, okay. All right. I’m just really confused about all this. If I thought of any other questions, could I call you? What was your name?
CLINIC: My name is Amanda. I’m not often here, so I wouldn’t ask for me.
CALLER: Oh, all right.
CLINIC: And usually anyone who answers the phone can help you.
CALLER: Really?
CLINIC: Yep.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: All right?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: So I would start off there before you jump to any conclusions about needing an abortion. You should go get a pregnancy test.
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: All right. Good luck.
CALLER: Thanks.
CLINIC: Bye.
***END***