TAPE - 496

(dialing sound) (ringing 2X)

CALLER: Where is this?

CLINIC: This is Community and Education Services Program of Planned Parenthood.

CALLER: Oh, okay. I was wanted to ask somebody some questions about getting an abortion.

CLINIC: Okay. If you want very specific answers about cost and procedure, okay, you might want to call the clinic and then they'll answer your questions. But if you want general answers, then -- go ahead.

CALLER: Well, do you know, like I'm just worried about it because like, well I'll be 14 in March, and my friend told me that they would have to tell my parents I was getting an abortion. But my boyfriend's 22. Could he just sign whatever it is and they wouldn't have to tell anybody anything?

CLINIC: Okay. All services relating to pregnancy or sexuality are confidential.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: And by law they are not required to tell anyone you don't give them permission to tell.

CALLER: Oh, okay. So --

CLINIC: That is the law.

CALLER: So nobody would have to know about anything?

CLINIC: Exactly. And if you're concerned about billing or whatever, there's programs --

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

CLINIC: Okay. That's good. That's good. Yeah, so, um, you know, how old are you?

CALLER: I'll be 14 in March.

CLINIC: I see. Yeah. No, you're okay. I mean, it's against the law for them to go off and tell anybody about, you know, your pregnancy or your abortion if you choose to get one.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Now here's some other questions I guess that obviously come up. I don't know if you've already had counseling on this, but have you tested for any kind of sexually transmitted diseases?

CALLER: No, I haven't had any tests at all. I'm just really scared about everything because I haven't had my period since like December 21st, and I'm just really worried.

CLINIC: Okay. Could you hold on a second?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay, thank you. So I'll go ahead and give Montoya that note. I don't expect him in anytime soon. But if he calls or when he calls I'll go ahead and relay the message that you left him a note. Okay? You're welcome.

I'm sorry about that. Okay, so, you haven't had any tests. Do you know absolutely certainly that you're pregnant?

CALLER: Well, no. I'm just -- I haven't had my period in awhile and I'm scared.

CLINIC: Right. Well, you're 14, and a lot of times, you know, not having your period can be something else. It could just be your hormones adjusting or it could be another issue entirely. Now, my recommendation to you would be to go ahead and set up an appointment for a pregnancy test.

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

CLINIC: Oh, no. That's all confidential. In fact, you wouldn't even have to pay for the test.

CALLER: Really?

CLINIC: Right.

CALLER: Well, my boyfriend would be the only way I could get there. Is it all right if he's there with me?

CLINIC: That's fine.

CALLER: It's just, we were talking about all this, and we don't really want anyone to know everything about us.

CLINIC: Right.

CALLER: So would you have to ask any questions about him or anything?

CLINIC: Well, not about him. I mean, you're the one with the appointment, right?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: Okay. So we're not really concerned about him. You know. We're more concerned with you and your health.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? So it's more important that you go in and get seen and -- because, I mean, if it is a case that you're pregnant, right?

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: That means that you're about three months pregnant, right?

CALLER: I guess.

CLINIC: And time is running out for you to actually get an abortion. The longer you wait the more costly it is and the more difficult it becomes. And if you wait too long, then it becomes illegal to even have one after a certain amount of time.

CALLER: Oh, really?

CLINIC: Yeah. So you don't want to wait too long. In fact, I would recommend that you call as soon as possible, make an appointment and find out for sure.

CALLER: Okay. Well, do you know like if the pregnancy test said that I wasn't pregnant if I could get birth control? I just don't want to have to worry about all this again.

CLINIC: Oh, absolutely. See, the thing is, when you go and let's say that you go for the pregnancy test, what they'll do is, they'll sign you up for a program because I think you would qualify. You want the service to be confidential and you're not employed and you don't have insurance, and you're 14.

CALLER: Right.

CLINIC: So you would most likely qualify for the program. 99.99 percent. Okay. Now, under that program you're entitled to have a card, and with that card you could get free, I was going to say prophylactics but you may not know what that is. Free birth control methods.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Now it doesn't cover all birth control methods. It just covers some. But it includes things like condoms and I think even the pill to some degree depending on which one.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: So, and that's -- I think. It's been updated as of the beginning of this year, and I haven't had the training yet. So it might be a little bit different. But I know for a fact that you could get tests done, chlamydia tests and other things. And, you know, they could even do that off the same urine sample that you give them if you wanted them too for the pregnancy test. And then the only thing is that if you are found to be pregnant, that program wouldn't cover the expenses of the test or any subsequent prenatal care. You would have to qualify for other programs, or your boyfriend could pay for it.

CALLER: Yeah.

CLINIC: And then of course, you know, I would recommend that you get screened for STDs.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay?

CALLER: Okay. Well, if I had any other questions, could I call you back? What was your name?

CLINIC: Sure. My name is Arthur.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: And I'm up here at the Poppa Program. That's at Vallejo High School. And just out of curiosity, not -- you know, I don't want to know your specific name or anything, but if you should call back, just tell, you know, just say you're Minnie from Minnie Mouse and you're calling for Arthur. But what school do you go to school?

CALLER: I'm actually home-schooled. So.

CLINIC: Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah. I was just wondering because I'm at the different high schools in the area on certain periods of times, so you might even be able to address me in person.

CALLER: Oh, okay.

CLINIC: But since you're homeschooled, you'd probably have to wind up coming to the high school for that.

CALLER: Oh, okay, so I could come up to the school and talk to you?

CLINIC: Yeah. In fact, I'll be at what's called the Student Health Center today, tomorrow, and Thursday during the lunch period here which is from 11:52 to 12:32.

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: Okay? So I think today though I may have a client coming in, but tomorrow. Now, keep in mind, don't wait until you talk to me to get the pregnancy test and all that taken care of. And they will pretty much answer any other questions that you have also. But if you did find it necessary to come back and talk to me, I'm available for that. Okay?

CALLER: Okay.

CLINIC: All right.

CALLER: Thanks.

CLINIC: Okay, Minnie Mouse. Well, it was nice meeting you. (laughs)

CALLER: Nice meeting you.

CLINIC: And good luck.

CALLER: Thanks. Bye.

CLINIC: All right. Bye bye.

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