I knew before I took the test and I knew my partner and I weren’t ready. I had no idea where to go as there was only one OB/GYN in town that everybody knows and there was no clarity on whether they provided elected abortion services. I panicked and went to the local urgent care and asked for resources to just get the worst treatment by their provider who made me wait 30 minutes for a sheet of paper with adoption agencies.
I lived in a state where biased pre-abortion counseling was required before your appointment and you had to accept a telephone appointment that day or they would cancel my appointment for 2 weeks later. I asked for financial assistance, there was none. I found the closest planned parenthood in VA and called to make an appointment and request financial assistance and again, there was none and no direction. I made my appointment and went and the cost definitely set us back but I’m on a mission to educate others about available funding resources.
By the time I could get an appointment I was 5-6 weeks. The staff at the planned parenthood were so kind and the office had the best vibes. I was crying the entire time (thanks hormones, stress, and being scared). My provider empowered me by talking the time to educate me start to finish on what the 2 types of pills were going to be like and what to expect. When it was all said and done, it was way less scary than I thought it was going to be — because she explained every little thing.
Since I know what I know now, I would do it again if I had to in a heartbeat (and probably with less tears!!)
