Today was a mix of alot of happiness, some anger and just a lot of sadness. When I had previously discussed with my SO if we would be keeping the child we had made an appointment at All Women's Health clinic. Listed under abortion in the phone book. I had called three seperate times and asked about procedures and the like. I wanted to inform myself before I made my choice. When I inquired, they told me I would only pay if the procedure was done. But, that the sonogram would be free if I decided I wanted to keep the child.
After we decided to keep the child, I kept the appointment. Because as I began applying for Wic and other benefits as a "single" young parent, I found that they needed "proof of pregnancy".
I arrived 30 minutes early with my boyfriend. His father met up with us. He asked to go previously, and I consented. Thinking that not only is he the grandfather, and showing his support for us, and me specifically, but that he could ask questions; we as young adults may not think of. I fill out some papers, already noting that the receptionist was slow and stupid. We wait 30 minutes past my appointment time. I asked if I could bring them back for my sonogram. I was told, "No, not for the sonogram"
To me, thats not all inclusive. Its specific. Meaning, I could bring them back at another time. When the nurse called me to get my blood and urine, I asked her. She stuttered and said, "I don't know.." Sent back into the waiting room for another 40 minutes I was eventually called and put into a room, and told to strip.
I was nervous, I wanted my boyfriend with me. It was important to me. But, I sucked it up, and thought how proud I was of myself for taking these steps alone. When the woman finally came in she was curt. I explained to her even as she pulled the stirrups out that I had never had a pelvic exam, and only had sex a few times up until this point. She merely grunted at me and told me to lay back. She was rough and impartial.
When she found the child on the sonogram she said "You're pregnant. I can see the sac."
Sac? SAC? I thought to myself. Maybe so. Maybe I would have thought of it as a sac. Some cells.. if I had decided to abort. But, that was my baby. I view it as my baby. I told her that I didnt want to go through with it. She glowered at me. GLOWERED. And said, "You dont want to have the procedure done" "No" "So, no abortion?" "No" "Fine, I guess you can go up front and they will take care of you." And she left.
As I was getting dressed I looked in the corner, there lay in the open the abortion MACHINE. It looked like a big box, attached to a large CLEAR tube, with a metal prong and what appeared to be something that looked like a steel hose... spout? In the open. In the fucking open.
When we had originally talked about abortion, I was very sure that I could do the pill. Pass the child like a period. But, not the surgery. And staring at it then as I got dressed, I was so glad of my choice. I got the little picture of my baby and walked to the front.
The receptionist told me it'd be 100 dollars... I would have argued.. given I had called 3 times in the last 2 days. But, I just wanted out by then. I paid as she rambled on SLOWLY about how my licence had a crab on it. WHAT? Bitch.
I left, and took my boyfriend and his father out, told them what happened and said I didnt want to go back. My boyfriend wanted to go back in, was rather pissed about how they treated me, how things were done, and the fact that I had to pay. But, as I showed him the picture, everything really disolved down to the fact that we had tangible evidence of our child...