Much to my relief, my period started a few hours ago, so I will not be needing a judicial bypass to have an abortion. However, during my 4 days of uncertainty, I went to a crisis pregnancy center. My experience was so awful.
I went in because I was curious of the BS that they are telling women (not to mention they had free pregnancy tests). Since I am a strong feminist and very pro-choice, I was confident. When I walked in the building, it smelled very weird... like old people. I sat down and some lady walked me into a room and asked me many questions, like age. Then she asked me and my boyfriend's views on abortion, and I told her we were both pro-choice.
Then I went to pee in a cup, and I had to carry my urine to the room. The lady got me some oreos (the only good thing to come out of the situation, trust me) and she made me watch this totally BOGUS movie. I mean it was just aggravating. The video interviewed a woman who had an abortion because she was raped, and she said, and I QUOTE, "it was easier to forgive my rapist than myself for killing my child". I was shaking with anger, but attempted to maintain my composure. My urine sample just sat on the desk the whole movie.
When that was over, she started telling me absolutely stupid crap, like the classic, fake "post-abortion syndrome". I calmly explained that the American Psychiatric Association proved that to be false, but she said "that's what they want you to think." I rolled my eyes and endured "abortion causes breast cancer" for a few minutes, and I just got up and left. Part of me wanted to throw my urine sample on her face, but at that point I didn't care, and I wanted to get the hell out of there.
Ladies, that place was AWFUL. I think I felt my IQ lowering when I was there. I may be only 17, but I would NEVER fall for the lies that lady was spewing. Why do taxes fund that crap? And what I hate the most is that just to get the pregnancy test they make you go through all of those lies! Honestly, the closest thing I could compare a CPC to is a cult.
This isn't a Friday, but fuck you, CPC's!!!
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I had a friend who used to work at one of those places. (We are on very very different sides of the fence.)
They told women that condoms were only 25% effective. She was trained to do the pregnancy test in the back room, then come in and lecture about how awful abortion is, even if the woman wasn't pregnant.
CPC are truly a disservice to women. I can't stand that they are allowed to operate. They offer no real expertise or help to women in a bind.
We should go protest them like they protest our clinics.
YES! If anyone wants to protest fauxbortion clinics... we need to set up a network to do this.
I would so sign up for that. I think I will cover a Barbie in blood, like they do with baby dolls.
And congratulations! May this be the happiest period of your life.
For future reference, most drugstores and dollar stores sell really super cheap (like 99 cents) pregancny tests. They aren't super accurate, they give false negatives, but they don't give false positives which is helpful.
I always wanted to go into one of those places and claim I was pro-life and see what they do. They claim that they are there to help women with alternatives to abortion, but I have never heard of them ever actually doing anything but lecture about abortion's evils... if I claimed I wasn't looking for an abortion, would they actually do anything for me, or just throw me out?
I know that we can't actually shut them down witohut violating their free speech and stuff, but I wish we could get them on false advertising. They should be required to place a sign on the door: "THIS CENTER WILL NOT PROVIDE ABORTIONS, BIRTH CONTROL, OR ASSISTANCE UNLESS YOU HAVE ALREADY DECIDED YOU DO NOT WISH TO ABORT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS CENTER IS NOT MEDICAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT EMPLOY DOCTORS. IF YOU NEED MEDICAL CARE RELATING TO YOUR PREGNANCY, YOU WILL NEED TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR GO TO A PREGNANCY CLINIC. ALL ADVICE GIVEN HERE IS NOT MEDICAL IN NATURE AND MAY NOT BE SUPPORTED BY ANY EVIDENCE; IT IS EQUIVALENT TO GETTING PREGNANCY ADVICE FROM YOUR HAIRDRESSER." And then list if they are affiliated with a religious organization.
They shouldn't be allowed to do sonograms without a technician, either, since a woman could think she got a diagnostic sonogram when in fact the attendant couldn't tell that her child was missing half it's brain or something. Or if they do them, they shoudl be required to tell every patient that they are not trained to do it, and they cannot tell if the woman has any problems with the baby, so the woman will need to go to a real medical center to confirm the baby is healthy.
Maybe under Obama someone will reintroduce the Stop Deceptive Advertising For Women's Services Act and it will pass.
"For future reference, most drugstores and dollar stores sell really super cheap (like 99 cents) pregancny tests. They aren't super accurate, they give false negatives, but they don't give false positives which is helpful."
This is NOT true. The cheap tests are just as accurate as other tests on the market. The packaging and body of the test are cheaper. The important part, the test strip, is exactly the same.
Oh, that's good to know. I knew they couldn't give false positives, but I didn't know they were as accurate.
I know the early response ones are less reliable, and the doctors office performs the most reliable form.
Actually, most doctor's offices use dip sticks too. I have Kaiser. When I was pregnant they wanted me to come in for a pee test.
The accuracy and reliability of pregnancy tests come from the sensitivity of the test to hCG. Early response brands test about 20-25mIU/mL. The reason they don't seem very reliable is because the level of hCG in urine before a missed period can vary wildly.
I also wonder what would have happened if you told them you were pro-life, or just told them that it wasn't really any of their business (because it isn't) or asked if that had anything to do with them giving you the free pregnancy test. "Will you give me the results no matter how I answer that question?" Or perhaps, "Gee, the doctors at Planned Parenthood never asked by that when I got my last pap smear." It seems like they were more concerned with indoctrinating you than providing the service they advertise freely. They basically forced you to watch that video and listen to that lecture, which is unethical on so many levels.
If you really don't want kids that bad, try sterilization. If you don't want pro-life garbage thrown at you, go to Planned Parenthood. Could you not afford a home pregnancy test? Why even waste other people's time? There are numerous options for your own health care, don't go to a place that is against your own values and then whine about it. Be an informed consumer and check-out the clinic before you go there.
I feel sorry for them. They just want to help an unborn child, and people say "throw pee in their face." How absurd. The very people who are all gung-ho about freedom of choice and self-respect, can't tolerate someone who views things differently from them and actually values human life.
Uh-huh. Yeah. Sterilization is exactly the answer for someone who doesn't want children RIGHT NOW.
I'll feel bad for the CPC people when they stop telling women that they are trained professionals, lying to them about their health care, showing them sonograms to let them believe they are getting real care, and generally manipulating them when they are at their most vulnerable. I have a great deal of respect for people who simply oppose abortion. My objection comes when they do so by lying to women and trying to disguise themselves as a medical center, frauding the women that come in.
"I'll feel bad for the CPC people when they stop telling women that they are trained professionals, lying to them about their health care, showing them sonograms to let them believe they are getting real care, and generally manipulating them when they are at their most vulnerable. I have a great deal of respect for people who simply oppose abortion. My objection comes when they do so by lying to women and trying to disguise themselves as a medical center, frauding the women that come in."
Exactly.
Stellar is brave to go into the lion's den to experience first hand the vile spewed by those centers.
From this comment one can only assume that you are anti-choice.
Stellar went to the CPC to see what it was like, not just for the free pregnancy test. She was testing the waters. She didn't want to make a judgment about CPC's just on what she had heard, she wanted to see from personal experience. And maybe she wanted this CPC to be different than the stories we here on Feministing all the time. Turns out the story wasn't different.
As to your rhetoric about the "unborn child" and "valuing human life," these women were LYING to Stellar. The National Cancer Institute has gathered a compilation of studies that shows that getting an abortion DOES NOT increase your risk of breast cancer. They LIED. The American Psychological Association has found to evidence to substantiate a separate Post Abortion Syndrome. However, there is evidence of post-partum depression. They won't tell you about that at a CPC. Stellar was right, and when she confronted them, THEY LIED. That and they tried to guilt rape victims.
These people are disgusting human beings. They don't value human life, they don't value truth. They only value controlling women and maybe they value fetuses, but they don't value human life, otherwise they wouldn't be lying to women, who do happen to be human beings.
I really wish the "dislike" button was still around. Dislike...times 1000
has found *no* evidence to support Post Abortion Syndrome. (Edit instead of "to")
They just want to help an unborn child, and people say "throw pee in their face." How absurd. The very people who are all gung-ho about freedom of choice and self-respect, can't tolerate someone who views things differently from them and actually values human life.
Except guess what? The stated purpose of a CPC, and the reason it gets funding, is not to "help an unborn child." It's supposed to help pregnant women. It is not doing so.
Because we value freedom of choice, we also value freedom of information. Not government-sponsored lies.
If you can't contribute anything intelligent, please leave.
Sterilization? At 17? Are you KIDDING me?
I was insulted. These people lie to women and treat them like idiots, and I wasn't going to fall for it. I wanted to see how those places were really like, and I did, and they really were as bad as I had heard. So much brainwashing... thankfully I knew better.
"it was easier to forgive my rapist than myself for killing my child"
Your rage regarding this statement is valid. That person's [if/when it actually happens] feelings are also valid. You're a human being. Situations as described in those videos are anecdotes, and don't speak for everyone, or you. Even if there were some demonstrable trauma that affected a large number of women who've had abortions, and many happy families raising children of rapists, your experience and your feelings would be your own.
Likewise, and unfortunately, the same holds true when trying to "talk sense" into someone whose personal, religious or anti-choice views are held so strongly. The hold on someone with strong political or religious beliefs (of any kind, no matter how outlandish to others) are indeed like that of a cult. Only they can choose to change.
Of course the woman's sentiments are valid, but if you show that to a rape victim, you're saying "this is what you shoudl believe, too." That's the objection, that a rape victim could be forced to watch that and that the CPC would be telling them that they should believe it, too, when they are vulnerable and scared.
"this is what you shoudl believe, too."
Well that's the basic problem of CPCs and anti-choicers, is it not? Their desire to enforce their beliefs on others. Those who believe in choice would not force anti-choicers to have abortions the way some people would intimidate or force women into having babies.
I'd like political conservatives to contemplate the incongruity of forcing babies to be born, when many will then go on to complain about certain people's burden on society or unworthiness to live. They don't support subsidized or socialized health care? Then who will pay what could be hundreds of thousands of dollars for e.g., putting all "born alive", premature or at risk babies in incubators to give them the best chance of life, then perhaps millions over a lifetime to deal with chronic conditions?
I have another well liked client who will be 99 years old this month. She is 100% dependent on others for her survival. Has been for her entire 99 years due to severe retardation and other conditions. Her life is basically limited to lying in bed or a wheeled chair, swallowing food put through a blender and smiling at what amuses her. She came to us because her sister was no longer able to care for her at home. I am surprised someone was able to keep her at home this long.
There are people who would consider her a burden. There are people who would judge her unworthy of life. A misappropriation of time and limited resources. [I do not. Everyone who knows her considers her charming. But then, she is not a member of my household, I am the one paid to give her care.] Anyone who would believe so should consider the validity of abortion on demand.
I first want to say BRAVO! And of course 'bravo' has roots in the word "brave". I don't think I would have fallen for their bs either at 17, but I also don't know that I would have had the guts to check the place out either. What is really distressing, as it seems your main reason- and a good one- may have been a free pregnancy test, is the idea of much more vulnerable young women being subjected to unabashed strip downs and blatant mental/emotional manipulation of women's rights and integrity of choice. I say again BRAVO- not only for going in there investigating for us all, but for trusting yourself and your own instincts regarding this kind of crap. And congrats on getting your period too. Do you remember anything more about the video? It's title or producers, etc?
that's fucked up.
Congrats on not being preggers :)
I've wanted to check out the CPC in my town for a while now (it's next door to Planned Parenthood, how sick is that?) because I wondered if it wasn't as bad as the hype. Now I'm not so sure I'll bother, 'cause I just don't need the stress in my life.
Gads!
Brave you for going into aplace like that. I walked into one when I was 16 and writing an article about repro rights. It was 1982. Doesn't sound like they've changed much.
Just to put ti out there, to counteract what the cult like member said on the footage you were shown-
Abortion is easy (compared to full term pregnancy). The physical recovery is easy- compared to a sprained ankle or sun burn.
It is a relief (compared to shot gun weddings, adoption, single motherhood).
Abortion is so much easier than motherhood.
Any guilt trips women may or may not have, usually come from their patriarchal religious conditioning.
There are spiritual paths that are not patriarchal, do not use fear, shame, guilt to represent god- do not use the male image to represent god, etc. It is not necessary to belong to a group that lies about abortion.
One thing I got out of my experience in 1982, was the knowledge that I didn't want to be sexually active until I felt I could handle making a choice, until I had at least 300 in the bank for just in case (it's 500 now), unless I had BC and Preg. tests in stock.
Based on that criteria, I was 19 before I became sexually active.
ive gone to CPCs three times. once when i was a poor college student, twice as a mother with two small children in tow. all three times i was 99% sure i wasnt pregnant and i figured i would waste their time and resources and not PP's. the first time, i said outright i would have an abortion and when she asked where i thought i was going to go when i died, i told her i wanted to be a ghost - maybe she thought i was a lost cause cause i never got any of the propaganda and guilt trips. the other times, even though it was indiana and texas, again, no propaganda.
still it pisses me off that almost all unplanned pregnancy resources - stuff like clothes, diapers, other little stuff - is linked to anti-choice groups. come to all ten bible study classes and you will get your pack of diapers! and planned parenthood, sadly, does not address this. (at least not that im aware of).
Planned Parenthood would most likely refer to government agencies that can provide things like food and diapers for babies. Remember that their funding has to go towards a lot of medical services and professionals, whereas CPCs spend most of their money on advertising, website management, you know, stuff to make themselves appear legit.
BTW, I'd much rather be a ghost than go to Heaven. Ghosts rule.
I would love to see CPC's come with giant warning labels. Uberhausfrau, your story of wasting their time and resources instead of PP's makes me fee a little better about something that happened to me a few years ago. I had decided to buy a menstrual cup, and for what ever reason I had an impossible time finding one (in San Francisco no less!).
So I bought one on eBay. I felt pretty good about it; it was a little cheaper than the other listed prices online, I was supporting a female entrepreneur, etc. Then I got the purchase e-mail and discovered that the eBay seller donates a percent of her profits to a local CPC! What an asshole move -- waiting until AFTER the purchase to disclose that some of MY MONEY was going to a type of org I (and presumably many of her other customers as well) would never support in a million years. Damn.
10+] Stellar replied to icecubeninjagirl :
Sterilization? At 17? Are you KIDDING me?
I was insulted. These people lie to women and treat them like idiots, and I wasn't going to fall for it. I wanted to see how those places were really like, and I did, and they really were as bad as I had heard. So much brainwashing... thankfully I knew better.
--------------------
Stellar, glad you aren't pregnant. I got pregnant at 18 and made my choice to keep my child. It was a tough decision, and definitely was not made lightly. I became a mother at age 19. I should have waited, and some would argue that I should have aborted.
Anyway, having babies in your teens is really hard. Trust me, I know. So, glad you don't have to go through that.
As for your experience, I am sorry you had to see such intolerance and blantant abuse of power from people that are supposedly there to help girls and women.
I firmly believe that if we are to make intelligent decisions based on as much information as we can gather, going to the "other" side is just as important. It isn't "wasting" their time, it's curiousity in what the "other side" is promoting. How can we fight against ignorance if we choose to remain ignorant ourselves?
Educating ourselves on what the anti choice is saying and promoting is the best defense we have.
So, to the person who posted that dispicable comment to Stellar, I invite you to go visit a Planned Parenthood facility (if you are brave enough) and see how you are treated.
I have been treated with nothing but kindness, respect, comfort, and loving care from people at Planned Parenthood.
If you have a different experience, by all means... post it here. WE don't think you are wasting their time. WE encourage YOU to go out and educate yourself. Like WE have done.
The hypocrisy with Liberals is quite amazing. It seems the only "choice" you will tolerate is the one that ends in the death of the unborn baby boy or girl. Talk about being close minded and totalitarian. Plus, the historical beginnings of the abortion movement by a Margaret Sanger, a Nazi sympathizer, who wanted to leliminate blacks via birth control and abortion.
It seems the only "choice" you will tolerate is the one that ends in the death of the unborn baby boy or girl.
--------------
Oh really? Then explain WHY I CHOSE to have my baby at 19? Even though I'm pro choice? Funny. All Anti-choicers think PRO choicers don't have kids or don't support women making the choice to have kids.
Would you support the government forcing women to have abortions? No?
Then why would you support legislation to force women to give birth??
It's no one's choice but the woman's. Not the government's. Not the doctor's. Not your's.
I'm SO down with protesting the CPC's... maybe a 40 Days Of Accurate Medical Treatment From Qualified Physicians movement?
On a related note, how are these people getting away with practicing medicine without a license? I'm in law school, and people who give out legal advice without being admitted to the bar (especially those who may charge fees for services) get in serious trouble... I'd think something similar might be able to be brought against the CPCs. I mean, administering pregnancy tests, sonograms, and medical counseling not under the supervision of a qualified physician? Sounds like they're breaking the law...
Erin, haven't you figured it out yet? THey're out to save the babies, they can break as many laws as they want! Whereas those that are trying to help WOMEN are subjected to tons of legislation and stupid rules they MUST abide by...
It's that sexism thing again. Those that are against women's health get all the freebies, and those that promote safe sex and healthy habits for women are punished...... wtf