TAPE - 161

(dialing sound) (ringing 1X)

CLINIC: Could you hold a moment, please?

CALLER: Yes, thank you.

CLINIC: Thank you. (music) Thank you for holding. This is Vicki. How can we help you?

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

CLINIC: No. Actually, we do the follow-up checkups here after the abortion, but we have a surgical center where you go. And I have their number if you want.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: There's two locations -- one in Encinitas and then one in Mission Valley.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And I've heard that the appointments might be a little easier to make sooner at the Encinitas office.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Do you want the one in Encinitas? It's like maybe a week and a half, two-week wait at the Mission Valley office.

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

CLINIC: What they might do is talk to you about your partner, you know, and just help make sure that everything's okay and that, you know, that you're comfortable with being with your partner, that no one's trying to force themself on you.

CALLER: What do you mean?

CLINIC: Like that you're having sex of your own free will and that no one's trying to make you, you know --

CALLER: Well, like --

CLINIC: Like if you need help to get out of a relationship that you don't want to be in kind of thing.

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

CLINIC: And you're under 14 right now?

CALLER: Yeah. Well, I'll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: Yeah. So they'll address those issues when you're there.

CALLER: Oh. Well --

CLINIC: Yeah, but, no, legally you can have the procedure done. The problem is, you do need to have someone with you.

CALLER: Well, is it okay if my boyfriend comes? Like he's the one that would drive me.

CLINIC: Right. Yeah. That would be okay.

CALLER: Okay. And they wouldn't have to say anything?

CLINIC: Your parents wouldn't need to be-- and ask the questions when you call them directly too. Tell them, you know, what --

CALLER: It's just my parents can't find out at all because --

CLINIC: Seriously, I know, really. We're used to that. You know, it's so common.

CALLER: They just hate my boyfriend because they think he's too old, but.

CLINIC: Yeah. Yeah. Okay, so do you want -- do you know how many weeks pregnant you are?

CALLER: Well, I think -- well, the last time I had a period was like the first week in December.

CLINIC: Okay, so it sounds like you probably want to hurry and call the Encinitas office then.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: It would be better. Hold on just a second. I'll get the phone number for you. Do you have something to write with?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: It's area code 760-634-8333.

CALLER: Okay. So like is it all right if my boyfriend pays for everything?

CLINIC: Oh, sure.

CALLER: Because he's got a job and everything. He's 22, so he'll like be able to take care of everything.

CLINIC: Yeah. That would be okay. And they'll tell you the exact prices and everything.

CALLER: Okay. But you don't think they'd have to tell anybody?

CLINIC: Ask them. You know, when you call them. Talk to them about it and see what they say.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? Good luck with everything.

CALLER: Well, actually --

CLINIC: Are we close to you? We're in Hillcrest. Is this a good place for you to come for your followup checkup?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Do you have any questions about anything for after the --

CALLER: Well, yeah. Like do you guys do birth control there?

CLINIC: Yeah. In fact, they'll give you some there too before you leave. The day of the abortion they'll give you like pills or the shot.

CALLER: Okay. Well, it's just my boyfriend and I don't want to have to go through this again.

CLINIC: Yeah. Right. And we totally understand that, and that's what they'll address, you know, and make sure, because they could give you the shot that you get once a month or once every 12 weeks or birth control pills.

CALLER: Okay. You guys wouldn't have to talk about -- like I wouldn't have to talk about him or anything?

CLINIC: I'm not sure what you mean.

CALLER: Well, like you guys wouldn't have to say anything about him?

CLINIC: Oh, you mean, like reporting him to the police or something?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Ask them. Call and ask them --

CALLER: Well, like about birth control or anything. Like if I --

CLINIC: Oh, yeah. It's your choice. But again, to go over these -- these are good questions you're asking, and maybe ask to talk to the manger because you have age concerns and you need to try and make sure that you're not going to have any problems.

CALLER: Well, like the only person that would be able to bring me in for the birth control is him. Would that be all right?

CLINIC: It should be okay.

CALLER: Like would they have to ask about him to get birth control or anything?

CLINIC: Oh, you can get birth control without your parents consent.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: Yeah. Yeah. So that's okay.

CALLER: But nobody would have to know at all?

CLINIC: About your partner and his age?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: I think they're going to ask.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: His age and, so ask what it is that --

CALLER: So what should I do?

CLINIC: Call them and talk to the manager and explain what you're -- you know, don't make an appointment yet but just call and explain your situation to her like you're explaining it to me.

CALLER: But if I tell them, what would happen?

CLINIC: I don't know. That's why you have to call them.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Yeah. Just, you know, don't give your information in terms of your name and just ask some questions first.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And then, you know, we do just in general have a policy that we want patients, no matter what age they are, to get what they want, to get what they need, you know, to honor their choices about being sexually active and encourage young women -- we do encourage young women to wait and to wait on a career and education and, you know -- because there's so much going on at this time in your life that it's hard to really have a good sense of priorities and choices. And sometimes -- we were all your age, and so we all --

CALLER: But I love him.

CLINIC: Oh, absolutely. Right. Right. And we just want to help every individual, you know, make the best choices. But they'll just kind of spell things out and put things on the table for you to consider.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: You know, and just in general.

CALLER: Is it all right like if I talk to you later?

CLINIC: Actually I won't be here later.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: But do you have certain ideas of questions you want or you can call here tomorrow. My name is Vicki.

CALLER: Okay. Well, I don't know. I have to talk to my boyfriend see if he had any other questions or anything.

CLINIC: Okay. Okay. Then when you do call the Encinitas office they will be able to answer a lot of questions too, all about the procedure. They're really helpful.

CALLER: All right. Okay. Thanks.

CLINIC: Okay? Good luck with it all. You're welcome. Bye bye.

CALLER: Bye.

(phone clicks)

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