Listen to the Call:
Transcript:
HOUSTON WOMEN’S CLINIC
4820 SAN JACINTO
HOUSTON, TX 77004
713-868-4483
TAPE – 794
(Dialing, phone ringing 1x)
CLINIC: Houston Women’s Clinic. May I help you?
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?
CLINIC: I surely do. Do you know when the first day of your last period was?
CALLER: January 3rd.
CLINIC: Okay. Then you should be under 11 weeks, and the fee is $325. And that covers everything, all the medications before and after, the ultra sound, follow-up visit, and a few months supply of birth control pills if they’re indicated for you.
CALLER: The thing is, I’m going to be 14 later on this month —
CLINIC: Oh, my goodness.
CALLER: — and my friend told me you 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, no, no. Legally by law we would be in deep trouble.
CALLER: What do you mean?
CLINIC: Well, if we didn’t have you have parental consent. You’re only 14.
CALLER: Well, I’ll be 14 on the 19th.
CLINIC: So you’re only 13.
CALLER: Yeah. But I can’t tell my parents at all. I mean, they can’t find out.
CLINIC: Well, you can go before the judge. Hold on a minute. Someone more knowledgeable than I can help you. Okay? Hold on.
CALLER: Okay.
(Short pause)
CLINIC: I don’t even think you could go down in front of the judge and appeal your case because they would have your boyfriend for statutory rape.
CALLER: What? What’s that? I mean, he’s not raping me. I mean, we’re in love. We’re going to get married.
CLINIC: No, I know. But you’re under age, and he’s 22.
CALLER: Well, what could happen?
CLINIC: Well, I don’t know. So you better check — do you have any availability of an attorney or anything?
CALLER: I don’t know.
CLINIC: Called Planned Parenthood and see what they do for you, okay?
CALLER: Planned Parenthood?
CLINIC: Uh-huh.
CALLER: Well, do you have the number for them?
CLINIC: Pardon?
CALLER: Do you have the number for them?
CLINIC: 713-535-2400.
CALLER: Okay. Well, I haven’t had a pregnancy test yet. Would I be able to come in there for that?
CLINIC: You can come in for a pregnancy test, sure.
CALLER: But would you have to tell anybody I was there for that?
CLINIC: Oh, no, no.
CALLER: Oh, okay. How much does it cost for that?
CLINIC: The pregnancy test would be free. Do you want to come in for that?
CALLER: Well, yeah. But my boyfriend would have to bring me. Would you have to tell on him if he was there?
CLINIC: Well, I’m not going to tell anybody anything. Oh, okay. But I mean, why wouldn’t you want to tell your boyfriend?
CALLER: Well, he knows. I mean, would you have to tell on him if he was there? Like he’s the only way I’d be able to get there. Would it be all right if he was there with me?
CLINIC: Oh, sure. You can come alone or with him.
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: But you have to make an appointment.
CALLER: But you said he would get arrested.
CLINIC: Oh, no, no. That would be if you — hold on a minute.
CLINIC: Honey?
CALLER: Yeah?
CLINIC: I wouldn’t bring the boyfriend, okay?
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: If you want to have a test, just have someone else bring you for a test. When would you want to come?
CALLER: When are you guys open?
CLINIC: It’s by appointment. And we could see you tomorrow afternoon for a test.
CALLER: Okay. Well, I’d have to think about it. But I have to call you back. What was your name?
CLINIC: Okay. I’m Betty.
CALLER: Okay. If it ended up that I wasn’t pregnant, could I get birth control there?
CLINIC: No, we don’t give birth control to anybody except patients because we don’t any of their history and pap smear and all that.
CALLER: Where could I get birth control?
CLINIC: But you can go to a teen clinic.
CALLER: Oh, okay. But would they have to tell anybody?
CLINIC: Well, if you want to have counseling on it. You’re 13. I don’t think so, no.
CALLER: All right.
CLINIC: Okay?
CALLER: Okay.
CLINIC: Okay, honey.
CALLER: Thank you. Bye.
CLINIC: Bye bye.
***END***