#196 – Planned Parenthood in Iowa City, IA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
850 ORCHARD ST.
IOWA CITY, IA 52246-5412
319-354-8000

TAPE – 196

(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Planned Parenthood of Iowa City. Can you please hold?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Thanks. (pause) Thanks for holding. How can I help you?

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

CLINIC: We do. Uh-huh.

CALLER: Well, how much does that cost?

CLINIC: It’s based on your income. Would you be using insurance?

CALLER: Well, no. My boyfriend said he would pay cash.

CLINIC: Okay. What you can do is, the full price is $450.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You can declare income if you would like, and I can let you know if you’d qualify for a discount.

CALLER: Well, I don’t have a job. Like I’ll be —

CLINIC: What are you living off of then?

CALLER: Huh?

CLINIC: What are you living off of? How are you supported?

CALLER: I live with my parents. I’ll be 14 in March, so.

CLINIC: Okay. Can you hold on just a second?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Thanks. (pause)

CLINIC: (new person comes to the phone). Hi. Thanks for holding. I can help you. And you said you were 14, is that correct?

CALLER: Well, I’ll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: Okay. And are your parents aware that this is going to take place?

CALLER: Well, no. They can’t find out because like the problem is like my boyfriend’s 22, and we’re going to get married and everything, but they can’t find out because they hate my boyfriend. They think he’s too old for me.

CLINIC: Well, why can’t you get married and have the baby?

CALLER: Well, because we have to —

CLINIC: Like go out of state or something?

CALLER: Well, I don’t know. We just haven’t had a chance to do that yet.

CLINIC: Okay. What are you going to do as far as this judicial bypass goes? That’s what I’m concerned about too because you have to have judge’s permission which is fine. You can get judge’s permission. You have to come to Iowa City and I have to give you another number in which to do that because you go in front of a judge and then he grants permission for you to have an abortion without your parents finding out. My problem is, is that if I were you — and this is just strictly off the record — if I were you I would not say anything about your boyfriend being 22 years old.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: I would be concerned that because he is and because you’re almost 14, that there may be some repercussions there.

CALLER: What do you mean? Like what?

CLINIC: Like they would say, you know, it’s against the law for 22-year-olds to have intercourse with 13, 14-year-olds.

CALLER: But we’re in love. I don’t understand. Like we’re going to get married.

CLINIC: I know. I totally understand. But it’s like the LAW says it’s against the law. You know? I think it’s — I mean, who cares, you know, how old anybody is? That’s my own personal feeling, but the LAW in the state of Iowa says that anybody over 21, over 18 actually can be prosecuted for having intercourse with someone who is under 18.

CALLER: What? I don’t understand. I’ve never heard that before.

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: Okay. Well, what can I do?

CLINIC: So —

CALLER: Just go to the judge and —

CLINIC: When you go to this place, you know, you can talk to them. It’s United Action For Youth. They’re really good. Where are you located?

CALLER: I’m in Parnel.

CLINIC: Okay. You’re going to — I’m going to give you this number. This is what you’re going to do. I’m going to give you this number, and you’re going to talk to a woman named Ginny. Can you write this down? You have some place you can write this down?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. Her name is Ginny, G-I-N-N-Y.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And the place you’re going to call is United Action For Youth.

CALLER: United Action for Youth?

CLINIC: Correct. Or UAY is what it’s known by.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay, and once you talk, and what you want to talk to Ginny about is, judicial bypass.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: It’s J-U-D-I-C-I-A-L, judicial bypass. That means you’re going to go around your parents permission.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Now you can explain it to Ginny, and Ginny is really good, and she talks to young people all the time. And she can help you to facilitate this I would think.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: But tell her that, you know, you guys are in love, you’re going to eventually get married, but right now if your parents found out that you were pregnant by him that maybe something bad would happen because they hate him.

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: So that’s our main concern is you.

CALLER: Okay. So you guys don’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: We do not have to tell anybody. The state of Iowa does not have to tell anybody if you go in front of this judge and you say to the judge, you know, I’m in school. Also, I want to tell you what you have to kind of say to the judge. You have to say, I’m in school, Your Honor. I want to continue with school. I’m involved in activities at school. I make pretty good grades. You have to kind of let him know that you are, you know, an intelligent young woman and that you have, the reason that you’re wanting this abortion is not an hysterical reason. You know what I mean?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: That it’s something that you’ve thought about and that you really feel it’s in your and the baby’s best interest.

CALLER: Yeah. I’ve thought about it. I mean —

CLINIC: Totally.

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Well, that’s what you just want to tell him when you go in front of him. But Ginny will help you with all those things too. And then when was your last period? How far along do you estimate that you are pregnant?

CALLER: Well, like my last period was like the first week in December.

CLINIC: And was that a normal period for you?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. So you just didn’t have a period in January.

CALLER: Right.

CLINIC: And then you haven’t had one in February; is that correct?

CALLER: Right. Not yet.

CLINIC: And do you know the exact date that you had your period in December, or was it just the first week sometime?

CALLER: It was like around the, like the 5th.

CLINIC: And that’s the day it might have started. Is that correct?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. We need to see you by the end of the month obviously. We are next scheduling appointments for next Wednesday.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Which happens to be the 20th.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And we’re also seeing patients on the 27th which is a Wednesday, and then March the 2nd which is a Saturday, and that might be an easier day for you to do. But I just want you to know that I would be a little bit concerned because we’ve got to make sure that you’re within the 13 weeks in order to be eligible for this.

CALLER: Okay. Well, I would have to call my boyfriend to see when he can get off work.

CLINIC: Okay. Did you write those dates down?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay, the 20th, 27th and then March the 2nd.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And I think you would still be eligible on all those days from what you’re telling me as the first day of your last period being the 5th of December. Correct?

CALLER: Well, yeah. Well, so it’s possible that I’m not pregnant do you think?

CLINIC: No. I’m sure it’s not possible.

CALLER: Oh. Well —

CLINIC: Have you had a positive pregnancy test?

CALLER: Well, I took one over the weekend. It was positive. But I don’t know.

CLINIC: Yeah. I’m sure. I’m sure it is.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: I’m sure it is.

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

CLINIC: We do.

CALLER: Okay. Would you have to tell anybody about that?

CLINIC: Oh, absolutely not. We don’t tell anybody about anything.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And we could also do an ultrasound to determine how far along you are.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: Do you think you could come tomorrow? Do you want to check with your boyfriend?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. Call back. We’re here until 5:00. And you don’t have to necessarily talk to me. My name is Jill, but you can just tell whoever answers that you want to schedule a pregnancy test and an ultrasound for tomorrow, and they’ll go ahead and schedule it for you.

CALLER: Okay. Like my boyfriend was also wanting to know if we could get birth control too.

CLINIC: Absolutely. We will do all of those things for you.

CALLER: Okay. And you guys don’t have to tell anybody at all if I was pregnant?

CLINIC: Absolutely no one at all, and you will pay cash for this if you have this abortion, and there is no paper trail.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? And then, let me give you this number of United Action for Youth.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Because you got to start that ball rolling. It is, and they do not have a toll-free number, so it’s going to cost you some money. It’s 319-338-7518. And you call there right now.

CALLER: Okay. Thanks.

CLINIC: All right. Thanks for calling. Bye bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

***THE END***

#186 – Planned Parenthood in Creston, IA

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Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
907 W TOWNLINE ST
CRESTON, IA 50801-1126
641-782-8244

TAPE – 186

(dialing sounds) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Hi. This is Deb at Planned Parenthood’s Creston Center. How may I help you?

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

CLINIC: No, I’m sorry. We don’t. We would need to refer you to one of our centers, either in Des Moines or Iowa City.

CALLER: Okay. Do you have that number?

CLINIC: Sure. Do you want the number for Des Moines?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. The number, they have an 800 number. It’s 1-800-568-2404.

CALLER: Okay. Do you know — like my friend told me that you guys have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion. Is that true?

CLINIC: Are you under 18?

CALLER: I’ll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: Okay. Well, the state of Iowa requires that parents be notified, parent or grandparent be notified. But if you’re unable to do that, if you don’t have anybody you can notify and you don’t feel that you can notify —

CALLER: Yeah. There’s no way that they can find out. Because my boyfriend’s 22, and we’re planning on getting married, but like they hate him because they think he’s too old for me. So they can’t find out at all.

CLINIC: Okay. What you’d need to do then is, you do have the option of going before a judge, going through the court system.

CALLER: Okay. Do I need like a lawyer for that?

CLINIC: Well, no. What they do, when you call Des Moines what they’ll do is, they’ll hook you up with the Youth Law Center, and they provide representation for you. It doesn’t cost you anything.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You’re a minor. But what I would do is call Des Moines first and tell them your situation, and they’ll get you hooked up with who you need to talk to.

CALLER: What if the judge says no?

CLINIC: Well, they don’t usually.

CALLER: Oh, all right.

CLINIC: — experiences, they usually approve them.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: So like I say, I would just give Des Moines a call and they’ll kind of work with you from there.

CALLER: Do you think it would be all right like if my boyfriend took me to the court and was there with me?

CLINIC: I don’t know. Like I say, that would be something I would ask them at the Youth Law Center when they had you call there.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: They can advise you what would be the best way to handle that.

CALLER: Okay. Do you guys do the pregnancy tests there?

CLINIC: We could do the testing. Yeah. We could do the pregnancy test here, and —

CALLER: And you wouldn’t have to tell anybody or anything?

CLINIC: No, that’s strictly confidential.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: That doesn’t require that parents know about that.

CALLER: Would my boyfriend be able to bring me and everything?

CLINIC: Yeah.

CALLER: And you guys wouldn’t have to tell anybody about him either?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: I mean, like I say, I don’t think — we could do the pregnancy test. That would be confidential.

CALLER: Okay. My boyfriend was also wondering about birth control. Do you guys do that there?

CLINIC: Yes, we do. We can’t provide you birth control if you’re already pregnant.

CALLER: Oh. Well —

CLINIC: Do you think you are?

CALLER: Well, I think so.

CLINIC: But you’re not sure yet? Have you done a home test or anything?

CALLER: I did one over the weekend.

CLINIC: Was it positive?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Oh, okay. Yeah, you would not be able — like I say, you’d have to get that after you’re had, you know, had had an abortion. Then you could get birth control.

CALLER: Oh. But you guys —

CLINIC: We can’t give you birth control if you’re pregnant already.

CALLER: Oh. Well, is it all right like if he picked up the pills and everything?

CLINIC: Picked up what pills? Birth control pills?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Yeah. I mean, if you’re not pregnant and you want to get an exam, we can make an appointment to do that. Do you want to schedule an appointment?

CALLER: Well, I’d have to call —

CLINIC: You can’t get birth control pills without getting an exam and have somebody give you instructions on and stuff.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: As for the boyfriend, you’d have to come in and be seen.

CALLER: But you guys wouldn’t have to tell anybody about birth control or anything?

CLINIC: No. No. The only time that it’s required that parents be notified is when a minor wants an abortion.

CALLER: Okay. So let me call my boyfriend and see when he can get off work. But is it all right if I call back?

CLINIC: Yeah. You can call back. Sure.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

***THE END***

#197 – Planned Parenthood in Cedar Rapids, IA

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Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
1500 2ND AVE SE # 100
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52403-2360
319-363-8572

TAPE – 197

(dialing sounds) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. Can I help you?

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

CLINIC: We don’t. Iowa City Planned Parenthood does. Cedar Rapids Clinic here in Cedar Rapids. And the Emma Goldman Clinic in Iowa City.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do you have the number for the Cedar Rapids one?

CLINIC: If you hold on a second. Hold on.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Cedar Rapids Clinic for Women, 390-4342.

CALLER: Okay. Well, my friend told me that you guys have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion. Is that true?

CLINIC: Are you under 18?

CALLER: I’ll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: You’ll be 14 in March?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. Yes. You have to be over the age of 18 to not have to inform your parents. However, there is a — you can go to court.

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: And have that waived.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: If the judge thinks that you have a circumstance in which you couldn’t tell your parents for some reason or another, you could have that waived, and you wouldn’t need to tell your parents.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do I have to tell the judge or anything? Like, well like the reason why I can’t tell my parents is because like my boyfriend’s 22, and we’re in love and we’re going to get married and everything, but like they hate him because they think he’s too old for me. So like that’s why I can’t tell my parents at all.

CLINIC: So it sounds like this should be a very complex situation. (laughs) You know, has — have you talked to him? He knows you’re pregnant?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay, and you both decided that abortion is the best thing?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: Okay. You know, the judge has to decide that. I’m not going to tell you if that’s, you know, an adequate reason.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Or not. It kind of has to go there. What kind of information are you looking for?

CALLER: Well, like do — will the judge say yes, or does he, does he ever say no?

CLINIC: I don’t know the statistics on when he says no and how often he says yes. I think it depends on the situation and the judge, and there is a process to that too. You have to go down to the courthouse.

CALLER: Well, how would I get there? Like can my boyfriend take me?

CLINIC: Yes. I mean, you can do it however you need to do it. Can you hold on a second?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: And I can see if I can get some more information for you?

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: Okay.

(long pause)

(dialing sounds) (ringing 3X)

CLINIC: This is Planned Parenthood. Can I help you?

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. Well, I was talking to someone else. I had to hang up because my friend’s mom came in. But —

CLINIC: Do you know who you were talking to?

CALLER: No. She didn’t tell me her name.

CLINIC: A nurse perhaps?

CALLER: I don’t know. I just —

CLINIC: Okay. Hold on just a minute. I think I have an idea. Hold on.

CALLER: Okay.

(pause)

CLINIC: Hello?

CALLER: Yeah. Was I talking to you earlier?

CLINIC: Who are you?

CALLER: I’m Christine.

CLINIC: And can you tell me a little bit of your story?

CALLER: Oh, well, I was the one asking if you guys had to tell my parents.

CLINIC: Okay. You’re 14?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: Okay. That’s all the information I got out of you. Okay. The people that you would need to talk to are not here.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: I’m not sure — oh, Tracy went up to the foundation too. Is there a number that we could call you back at, if not tonight, tomorrow?

CALLER: Well, I don’t know. Like, not really. I’m at my friend’s house, so.

CLINIC: You’re at your friend’s house. Okay. You know, like I said, this is a pretty complex situation. There are a lot of steps to this process, and it’s not easy. I’m going to tell you that.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: So you can call back in probably an hour. You could call back at 4:00, and I could see if somebody was here to talk to you.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Or you can call back on Monday sometime between the hours of 9:00 to 5:00. Tomorrow nobody will be here to talk to you, and with this situation. So you can call back in an hour or you can call back on Monday between 9:00 and 5:00.

CALLER: Well, is it okay if I call you later today?

CLINIC: Yeah, that’s fine. I just can’t guarantee that anybody will be here, but we’ll try.

CALLER: Okay. Well, what was your name?

CLINIC: My name’s Bree (ph).

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Uh-huh. Bye bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

THE END

#187 – Planned Parenthood in Sioux City, IA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
4409 STONE AVE
SIOUX CITY, IA 51106-1914
712-276-6290

TAPE – 187

(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Thank you for calling Planned Parenthood of Sioux City. This is Heather. Can I help you?

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

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: Well, how much does that cost?

CLINIC: Depends on how far along you are. Between 7 and 13 weeks — do you have insurance?

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

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: He’s got a job. He’s 22, so.

CLINIC: Okay. It’s $450 full cost.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: That’s between 7 and 13 weeks. Our next opening is March 5.

CALLER: Okay. Do you know if there’s like an age limit to have an abortion?

CLINIC: Are you under 18?

CALLER: I’ll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: You’ll be 14 in March?

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: Okay. There is parental notification.

CALLER: Oh, really? Is there any way not to tell my parents, because they would totally flip out because they hate my boyfriend. They think he’s too old for me.

CLINIC: The only other way around it would be what is called a judicial bypass where you go up in front of a judge.

CALLER: What do I have to do for that? Like do I need a lawyer?

CLINIC: You contact a lawyer, yep.

CALLER: How much does that cost?

CLINIC: I’m not sure.

CALLER: Oh. Okay. Well, do you know like if the judge says — like does the judge usually say it’s all right?

CLINIC: I believe only in cases of like abusive cases and stuff like that. I don’t know for sure.

CALLER: Okay, because like me and my boyfriend are in love, but we just can’t tell my parents.

CLINIC: Yeah. Can you hold one moment?

CALLER: Yeah.

RECORDING: — a disease that is almost 100 percent curable if detected early. More than 23,000 Iowa women had their annual exam at Planned Parenthood last year. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment for you —

CLINIC: Okay, thank you for holding. The only way that a judge would do it is in cases of like abuse or if you’re threatened by your parents. So basically you would just have to tell them.

CALLER: Oh. All right. Well, say that I wasn’t pregnant. Do you guys like have birth control there?

CLINIC: Yeah.

CALLER: Yeah? Would you have to tell anybody about that?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Okay. Like would my boyfriend be able to bring me in and —

CLINIC: Well, are you pregnant?

CALLER: Well, I think so.

CLINIC: Okay. Then we can’t give you birth control.

CALLER: Oh. Well, okay.

CLINIC: Birth control is not going to do anything. If you’re already pregnant, it’s not going to — you know, like get rid of the pregnancy for you.

CALLER: Well, yeah. But is it okay to — like could I come in for like a pregnancy test?

CLINIC: Um-hum.

CALLER: Yeah?

CLINIC: Let me get the schedule. Can you hold?

CALLER: Yeah.

RECORDING: — regardless of how much you can afford to pay. We offer convenient hours including evenings and Saturdays so you won’t have to juggle your schedule to make an appointment. All calls are confidential. Please stay on hold. We’ll be with you shortly. (music) Are you looking for more information about Planned Parenthood? Check us out on the Internet at www.ppgi.org. You’ll find links to our health services, information about sexually transmitted infections, news on issues of family planning being debated by the Iowa legislature, the locations of all our clinics in Iowa —

CLINIC: Okay. Can you come in tomorrow?

CALLER: Well, I’d have to call my boyfriend to see when he can get off work, but I think so.

CLINIC: Okay. Give us a call back and we’ll try to squeeze you in tomorrow.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: But you guys don’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: All right. Okay.

CLINIC: Thanks.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Good bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

***THE END***

#188 – Planned Parenthood in Spencer, IA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
PO BOX 372
SPENCER, IA 51301
712-262-1545

TAPE – 188

(dialing sounds) (ringing 3X)

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

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

CLINIC: No, we don’t.

CALLER: Do you know of anyone that would?

CLINIC: The Sioux Falls Planned Parenthood.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Performs terminations.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Sioux City and Des Moines Planned Parenthoods also do them.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do you have the phone number for them?

CLINIC: Which one would you like?

CALLER: Just the — I guess the Sioux Falls one.

CLINIC: Okay, let’s see here. It’s 605-361-6100.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do you know —

CLINIC: I’m sorry, that’s a 5. It’s 5100.

CALLER: 5100?

CLINIC: Yeah.

CALLER: Oh, all right. Okay. Well, my friend told me that you guys have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion. Is that true?

CLINIC: Are you under 18?

CALLER: I’ll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: Oh, yeah, um-hum. You have to have — let’s see. Actually if you have it in the state of Iowa there is a parental notification law.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: And that means your parents have to be notified. Otherwise, you have the choice of going through a judicial bypass, which is going before a judge. He has to consider whether he feels like you’re a mature, you know, a mature adult in your decision-making and that kind of thing, and decide whether you can decide this on your own without contacting your parents. So you either have to contact your parents — they don’t have to give permission for it, but you have to contact them.

CALLER: They have to tell them? Like they can’t find out at all because like, well the problem is —

CLINIC: It’s not, it can’t happen because no — it’s illegal to do that for a minor without parental notification in Iowa.

CALLER: But they can’t find out because like, well my boyfriend’s 22, and we’re in love and everything, but we’re going to get married, but like my parents hate him because they think he’s too old for me, and they can’t find out at all.

CLINIC: Okay. But you know, I think you just probably should calla the center, you know, that I gave you, because South Dakota law may be — I don’t remember if it’s consent or notification, but all of the states in the surrounding area are either consent or notification. So, and it’s illegal for a center like that to perform an abortion on a minor without either going through that legal process, the judicial bypass that I talked about, or —

CALLER: What does that mean?

CLINIC: Okay. Like I said, it would probably be better if you called one of the centers because they go through that every day, and they’d be able to help you probably better than I can. But what that is, is it’s an option for you to go before a judge. He would listen to the case. He would decide whether he thinks you are mature enough to make the decision to have an abortion or not. And he may grant you permission. He may not. It just depends on the judge that you get and how he feels about your situation. And then your parents would not be notified.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: But you do need to go through the bypass in order to do that if you don’t want to notify your parents.

CALLER: Okay. Well, my boyfriend just doesn’t want anybody to know about us at all, so like —

CLINIC: Yeah. And you know, that’s something you’re going to need to talk to somebody. And what — can you tell me, where are you calling him, again?

CALLER: My boyfriend?

CLINIC: Your boyfriend. Did you call him — does he live with you or —

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: I live with my parents.

CLINIC: Okay. Because of your age, you know, there is a — I’m sure there’s a — is he concerned about legally his — he could be in some trouble?

CALLER: I don’t know.

CLINIC: Yeah, because you know there is — you know there are some laws that — you know, you would need to talk to somebody about that too, and you know, if you went before a judge you wouldn’t have to tell him your boyfriend, you wouldn’t have to include him as far as telling them who he is, how old he is. But they may ask you that. I’m not going to say they’re not going to. I don’t really know. They ask the questions they want to ask and you can answer them. You know, that’s just the way it is.

CALLER: What laws are you talking about? Like —

CLINIC: Well, you know, I don’t want to get into — I don’t, I don’t know your situation well enough and I don’t want to say. But I just — someone’s got to know about it. You can’t — no one is going to perform a termination for you, okay, with you just going there.

CALLER: Well, is it okay if we can come in and talk to you?

CLINIC: You bet, uh-huh, and I can give you as much information as I have here. You can, you know, get you started, that thing. But you know, really the centers that really do a good job with that would be like Sioux City and Des Moines because they help a lot of, I wouldn’t say a lot of minors but they have helped minors before.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: They can’t tell their parents then they can help you go through that bypass, yes. Um-hum. Have you had a pregnancy test done somewhere?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: No. Okay, so that would be the first thing to start with because maybe you’re not even pregnant.

CALLER: Well, would you guys have to tell my parents about that?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: You wouldn’t have to tell anybody at all?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Everything here would be confidential.

CALLER: So if like my boyfriend and I came in you guys could talk to us and you wouldn’t have to tell anybody that we were there?

CLINIC: That’s correct. Um-hum. Yep.

CALLER: Okay. Well, like if I — like after the pregnancy test there, could you guys — like if it was negative or whatever, could you guys — do you do birth control there?

CLINIC: Yes, we do, um-hum.

CALLER: And would you guys have to tell anybody about that?

CLINIC: No. No. It’s just, it’s just the law right now that we do have to notify parents for abortions. That is the only thing we have to notify a parent for, okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: That’s the only law that’s on the books at this point. So as far as being a minor, you can always come in and have an exam. You could come in and have pregnancy testing. You can come have screening for infections including like if you ever had a yeast infection or maybe feel like you could have a sexually shared infection, those things. Birth control. You can come here and we encourage you to talk to your parents about it.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: Okay? But we would not tell your parents that you were here.

CALLER: Okay. So it’s all right if like my boyfriend and I come in and talk to you, and you guys wouldn’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: Right. That’s correct.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Um-hum.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: But now if you want to come in, I’d really like it if you would make an appointment.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Because then that would be helpful for us because if we’re seeing other patients you may have to wait or — you know. And it’s easier for us to get you back and save time to talk to you if we know you’re coming.

CALLER: Okay. Well, is it all right if I call him and see when he can —

CLINIC: You bet. Um-hum. And we’re open later on Mondays.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Too if that helps you.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: All righty. Bye bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

*** THE END ***
1

#189 – Planned Parenthood in Council Bluffs, IA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
1604 2ND AVE
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA 51501-3801
712-322-6650

TAPE – 189

(dialing sounds) (ringing 3X)

CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. Patty speaking. May I help you?

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

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: Okay. How much does that cost?

CLINIC: $325 cash, Mastercard or Visa. And then if your blood type is negative, then it costs another $50.

CALLER: Okay. Well, my friend actually told me that you have to be a specific age. Like I’ll be 14 in March. Is that all right?

CLINIC: You’d either need to have your family or your parent, one of your parents.

CALLER: Oh. Is there any way not to do that? Because like, the problem is, I can’t tell my parents because — well, my boyfriend’s 22. And we’re planning on getting married, but they hate him because they think he’s too old for me.

CLINIC: Well, honey, he is. What’s a 22-year-old man doing with a 14-year-old girl?

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

CLINIC: Why — okay. (laughs) You know what that would be like? That would — a 22-year-old man is much too old. He’s much more mature. He’s had way too much experience to be with a 14-year-old. Why isn’t he with a 22-year-old woman?

CALLER: Because we’re in love. I mean, I don’t — I don’t understand. But —

CLINIC: Okay. Yeah, he is too old. But we can’t get into that. And besides, that is rape. That’s statutory rape.

CALLER: What? What do you mean? I don’t understand. We’re in love. How is that — that —

CLINIC: By the law he cannot have sex with you, hon. It’s rape.

CALLER: But we’re in love. We’re going to get married. I don’t —

CLINIC: It doesn’t matter. You’re 14 and he’s 22. That’s rape.

CALLER: Could he get in trouble or anything?

CLINIC: Yes. He could go to prison.

CALLER: Well, what am I going to do? What are you — I don’t. What do I do?

CLINIC: Umm. I — you know, I don’t know. You can maybe get a judicial bypass.

CALLER: Okay. What’s that?

CLINIC: You’d have to talk to a lawyer.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And go in front of a judge.

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

CLINIC: That’s free.

CALLER: And I don’t — I have to get a lawyer, or —

CLINIC: No. Planned Parenthood will get the lawyer for you. You’d go in front of a judge with the lawyer, and the judge would talk to you. If he thought that you were mature enough, then he would go ahead and let you get the termination without your parents knowing it.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: But they wouldn’t have to say anything like about my boyfriend or anything?

CLINIC: You know, I don’t know. I don’t know what he’ll ask you or what he’ll — you know, I’ve never gone through one so I don’t know what he’d ask.

CALLER: Oh. What if the judge says no? What do I do then?

CLINIC: Then you’re — you just have to have it.

CALLER: Have?

CLINIC: The baby. You can’t get a termination.

CALLER: But then my parents will find out.

CLINIC: Well, yeah.

CALLER: Okay. Well, like, what would I do? I don’t know what to do.

CLINIC: What do you mean you don’t know what to do?

CALLER: Well, if my parents find out I would get in — I don’t even know what they would do.

CLINIC: Um-hum.

CALLER: And I don’t want my boyfriend to go to prison.

CLINIC: Well, he knows — but he knows this. He knows that he’s, he’s committing statutory rape.

CALLER: But he, he never said anything.

CLINIC: Well, honey, that’s because he’s 22, and he just wants to have a young girl and to sleep with.

CALLER: But we’re in love. I don’t — I mean, he’s, he’s a nice guy. I don’t understand what you mean.

CLINIC: Because he’s 22 years old.

CALLER: But —

CLINIC: And you’re 14. That would be like you dating an 8-year-old. Could you love an 8-year-old?

CALLER: Well —

CLINIC: And have intercourse with an 8-year-old?

CALLER: Well, no, but —

CLINIC: Okay. And what kind of company would an 8-year-old be with you, for you? Wouldn’t you want to be with somebody your own age that’s 14?

CALLER: I don’t —

CLINIC: He’s 22. He can go out to the bars, he can drink, he can — you know, he’s got a driver’s license. You’re a child. He’s a man. He’s a 22-year-old man. You guys have nothing in common.

CALLER: Well, can we come in and talk to you?

CLINIC: No. I’m a mandatory reporter, and I’d have to report you, report it as a rape.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: My best — I mean, if I was you, and I know you’re probably in love because you’re 14, but you can be in love — you’ll probably in love six times in your lifetime if not 10. (laughs) It just happens. You know? Because you’re 14. And I know you think you know that you’re madly in love and there will never be another man out there for you, but it’s not — there will be.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You know?

CALLER: Well, is it okay if like he brings me in for like a pregnancy test because I don’t know how else I would get there.

CLINIC: How do you know — I mean, you haven’t had a pregnancy test so you don’t know if you’re pregnant?

CALLER: No. I did a home pregnancy test, but I don’t know if it’s —

CLINIC: And that showed positive?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Well, then you probably are.

CALLER: Oh. They’re like —

CLINIC: Um-hum.

CALLER: I just wanted to make sure that someone else — like I just don’t know if I did it right.

CLINIC: Okay. It’s really, really hard to get a false positive pregnancy test.

CALLER: Oh. So —

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: But you guys wouldn’t be able to do that, or —

CLINIC: We could go ahead with a pregnancy test. That costs $10 cash.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: But I wouldn’t suggest him bring you in. I surely wouldn’t suggest that you tell anybody that he’s 22 because like I say we’re mandatory reporters.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: That’s sexually abused and statutory rape, and I would have to call the police.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: And report it.

CALLER: Well, if I had a pregnancy test would you have to tell anybody about that?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: No? Okay. Well, like if, say like after the pregnancy test there and it was negative, or whatever, do you guys do birth control?

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: And you wouldn’t have to tell anybody about that?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Just don’t come in here and tell us that you’re with a 22-year-old man.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: Because once you do that, then, you know all bets are off. We have to turn that in.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Think about what I’m telling you. Okay?

CALLER: Oh. All right.

CLINIC: All right? Because like I said, you’re going to fall in love a million times in your lifetime. And, you know, and there’s something wrong with him being 22 years old that wants to be with a 14-year-old girl.

CALLER: Oh.

CLINIC: All right?

CALLER: And your name was Patty?

CLINIC: Yes.

CALLER: All right. Okay.

CLINIC: All righty.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Bye bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

THE END
1

#190 – Planned Parenthood in Red Oak, IA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
422 E. REED ST.
RED OAK, IA 51566-2332
712-623-5522

TAPE – 190

(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Good afternoon. (Redover?) Planned Parenthood Center. This is Lisha. How may I help you?

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

CLINIC: We don’t at our center.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Here in town. Our Des Moines center does.

CALLER: Okay. Do you have the number for that?

CLINIC: I can get you the number for that.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay. One moment, please. (pause) Thank you for holding. 1-800-568-2404. That will be our central clinic.

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

CLINIC: I’m not for sure how that works because we don’t really deal with them too much here. They will know.

CALLER: Okay. Well, my friend said that you guys have to tell my parents. Is that true?

CLINIC: I’m trying to think. I’m not for sure either about that.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Because like they can’t tell my parents at all because well the problem is my boyfriend’s 22 and we’re going to get married, but like they hate him because they think he’s too old for me.

CLINIC: Yeah. This 800 number and stuff should be able to answer your questions more appropriately.

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

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: You do?

CLINIC: Uh-huh.

CALLER: Would you have to tell my parents about that?

CLINIC: No, no. No. That’s all confidential.

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

CLINIC: Right.

CALLER: Okay. If the pregnancy test was — if it was negative, do you guys do birth control?

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

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

CLINIC: Nope. Nope. It’s all confidential.

CALLER: Okay. Would it be all right if my boyfriend brings me and everything?

CLINIC: For like to get on birth control and stuff, you’ll need an appointment.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Would you like to make an appointment for that?

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

CLINIC: Okay. Once you find — the nurse is here on Mondays.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And I’ve got just a couple times left on this coming Monday.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: I’ve got like a —

CALLER: But it’s okay if my boyfriend brings me?

CLINIC: Sure. Sure.

CALLER: You don’t have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: Nope. That’s quite all right.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: It looks like I’ve got a 1:40 appointment and like a 5:00 or a 5:20 appointment on Monday.

CALLER: Okay. Well, I don’t know. I’d have to talk to him and see.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: But is it all right if I call back and stuff?

CLINIC: Sure. That’s fine.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Thanks.

CALLER: Bye.

CLINIC: Bye bye.

#191 – Planned Parenthood in Washington, IA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
PO BOX 44
WASHINGTON, IA 52353
319-653-3525

TAPE – 191

(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. This is Carol.

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

CLINIC: No, we don’t. You’d have to — the closest one would be Iowa City Planned Parenthood or Emma Goldman in Iowa City.

CALLER: I called there. They’re closed.

CLINIC: Emma Goldman or– ? Yeah.

CALLER: The Iowa City one. Like their little automated thing said that they were open on Fridays 9 to 5 but they were closed.

CLINIC: It did say that they were closed or they just couldn’t come to the phone at the moment?

CALLER: Like it said that they were closed. They weren’t even taking messages or anything.

CLINIC: Yeah. You have to just keep trying them. We don’t do that here.

CALLER: Oh. Well, is it okay if I ask you some questions? Like, well, my friend told me that you guys have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion. Is that true?

CLINIC: No. There is some legal help available, so I know that you don’t have to tell your parents. I don’t know the legalities of it, but I’m sure, you know, at one of those places they could help you out with that.

CALLER: Well, because I’ll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: Um-hum.

CALLER: So that’s like — I would still have to — it’s not old enough or —

CLINIC: Yeah. You don’t have to tell your parents. No. That’s what I’m saying.

CALLER: Okay. Because like I can’t tell my parents at all because they can’t stand my boyfriend. Like they think he’s like — well, he’s 22, and we’re in love and we’re going to get married, but they think he’s too old for me. So they can’t find out at all.

CLINIC: Okay, yeah. I’m sure that everything there is confidential.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You know? You just have to explain the situation to them and I’m sure that they’ll help you out with it.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do you guys like do pregnancy tests there?

CLINIC: We do do pregnancy tests. You have to be 6 weeks past your menstrual period.

CALLER: Okay. Well, like my last one was like the first week in December.

CLINIC: Okay, um-hum.

CALLER: And you guys wouldn’t have to tell my parents about —

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: — getting a pregnancy —

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: So you wouldn’t have to tell anybody at all?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: Okay. Is it all right if my boyfriend brings me?

CLINIC: Yeah. It’s best to make an appointment.

CALLER: Okay. I’d actually have to call him to see if he can get off work and when I can come in.

CLINIC: Okay. I could see you today at 3:30.

CALLER: Oh, well, he’s going to be at work until 5:00, so.

CLINIC: Okay. Well, we close at 5:00. But on Tuesdays we’re open later.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Tuesday will be the next day that we’re open here if you want to try back then.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: He was also wondering about birth control. Do you guys do that there?

CLINIC: Yes, we do.

CALLER: Would you have to tell my parents about that?

CLINIC: No. But you have to have an exam first of all. Okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: With a pap. Do you know what that is?

CALLER: No.

CLINIC: Okay. It’s where they test a little of the tissue from the cervix, okay? It’s like a pre-cancer screening. It’s just a preventative cancer screening.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? But it’s required that you have one of those every year.

CALLER: Okay. But you guys wouldn’t have to tell anybody about birth control at all?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: But you do — if you wanted to make an appointment for that, you know, you have to make, you have to tell me so I can make a longer appointment.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: So it’s all right if I call you back?

CLINIC: Sure.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay.

CALLER: All right. Thanks.

CLINIC: You’re welcome. Bye.

(phone clicks)

***THE END***

#192 – Planned Parenthood in Burlington, IA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
620 N 8TH ST
BURLINGTON, IA 52601-5037
319-753-6209

TAPE – 192

(dialing sound) (ringing 1X)

CLINIC: Good afternoon. Planned Parenthood.

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

CLINIC: No, we don’t.

CALLER: You don’t?

CLINIC: You need to talk to a nurse though?

CALLER: Well, yeah. I guess.

CLINIC: Okay. Hold on. Let me get you the clinic.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: (pause) I’m sorry. The nurse is out to lunch until 2:00. Can you call back?

CALLER: Well, could I ask you some questions?

CLINIC: What do you need to know?

CALLER: Well, my friend told me that you guys have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion. Is that true?

CLINIC: Hold on a second. Okay?

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: (pause) This is Cherry. Can I help you?

CALLER: Yeah. Well, I was wanting to know like my friend told me that my parents have to be told before I can have an abortion. Is that true?

CLINIC: How old are you?

CALLER: Well, I’ll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: Okay. Where do you live?

CALLER: I live in New London.

CLINIC: New London? Okay. There is a law right now that is parental notification.

CALLER: Uh-huh.

CLINIC: So that’s correct. If you went to a place to have an abortion they would have to notify your parents.

CALLER: Are you serious? Like there’s no way they can find out. Because like my boyfriend’s 22 and they’re planning on getting married, or like we’re in love and we’re going to get married and everything. But my parents hate him because they think he’s too old for me. So they can’t find out at all.

CLINIC: Okay. So have you had a pregnancy test?

CALLER: I did a home pregnancy test over the weekend.

CLINIC: Okay. Let me see if I can get hold of somebody that might be able to answer your questions better.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: Is there a way I can call you back or would it be better for you to call back later?

CALLER: It would be better to call you back later.

CLINIC: Okay. What’s your name?

CALLER: I’m Christine.

CLINIC: Christine. Okay, and what number did you call me on, Christine?

CALLER: The — it’s the 753-5209 number.

CLINIC: Okay. Why don’t you call back — when could you call back?

CALLER: Well, I’m at my friend’s house. I don’t know.

CLINIC: Are you going to be there this afternoon?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Why don’t you call back in about an hour?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And that should give me time to try to get hold of somebody and probably what I’ll do then is give you a phone number for them.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: So they might be able to help you with that. Okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Thank you.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Bye bye.

(phone clicks)

(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)

CLINIC: Planned Parenthood. May I help you?

CALLER: Hi, yeah. I was wanting to talk to Cherry.

CLINIC: One moment.

(ringing 1X)

CLINIC: This is Cherry.

CALLER: Hi. Yeah. I was calling you back. You said to call you back. I’m the one that was wanting to know about if my parents have to know.

CLINIC: Okay. I have a person that you can talk to at another Planned Parenthood office.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: This is the Planned Parenthood in Iowa City and they do do abortions there. They also do counseling. So she knows a lot more about the parental notification than I do and what your choices are on that, okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay, so you want to call before 5:00 today and ask for Jill. Her phone number is 319-354-8000.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And I just gave her your first name and told her that you’d probably call her this afternoon.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Good luck.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Um-hum.

(phone clicks)

***THE END***

#115 – Planned Parenthood in Ames, IA

Listen to the Call:

Transcript:

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
2530 CHAMBERLAIN ST.
AMES, IA 50014-7272
515-292-1000

TAPE – 115

(Dialing, phone ringing)

CLINIC: Good afternoon, Planned Parenthood, (unclear). This is Alicia (sp). How can I help you?

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

CLINIC: We do it in Des Moines.

CALLER: In Des Moines?

CLINIC: Yeah. Do you want that phone number?

CALLER: Yeah, okay.

CLINIC: It is 515-280-7000.

CALLER: Oh, okay. Do you know if they have to tell my parents before I can have an abortion?

CLINIC: How old are you?

CALLER: I’ll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: There are a few things that you can do to get around that, but they have to be really pertinent reasons. But I am not sure exactly what those are. They should be able to tell you a little bit more about there.

CALLER: Okay. My parents can’t find out at all, because if they do — my boyfriend’s 22. We’re in love, and we’re going to get married. But they hate him because they think he’s too old for me. So there’s just no way they can find out.

CLINIC: Well, probably Des Moines will probably know a little bit more about that.

CALLER: Well, if I wasn’t pregnant, do you guys do birth control there?

CLINIC: Yeah, we do.

CALLER: Yeah? Would you guys have to tell anybody about that either?

CLINIC: No.

CALLER: All right. Is it all right if my boyfriend comes with me to get birth control?

CLINIC: Yes, that’s certainly fine. Are you worried about — like did you just have unprotected sex?

CALLER: Well, my last period was like the first week in December. I did a home pregnancy test over the weekend, and it said I was positive.

CLINIC: Okay. You’re going to probably want to call Des Moines then, and see what kind of options they have for you.

CALLER: Okay. If I talk to my boyfriend later on today, and he has questions, is it all right if I call you back and talk to you?

CLINIC: Yeah, you can. Or else you can call Des Moines because they’ll probably have a little bit more information for you.

CALLER: All right.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Okay. But they wouldn’t tell anybody either?

CLINIC: No. No. It’s totally confidential.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: All right.

CALLER: Okay, thanks.

CLINIC: Yep. Bye bye.

CALLER: Bye.

***END***