The morons protest outside the PP clinic near me, despite it not being a clinic that offers abortions. They’re literally protesting cancer screenings and condoms. 🤣
>literally protesting cancer screenings and condoms
Yeah, they do that… I worked for PP as an educator in PNW. My base clinic didn’t offer AB’s, had nasty protesters. Then at another clinic, AB days were Thursday. Protesters showed up on Teen Clinic days for a year SMH (no AB’s.)
OP, thanks so much for sharing your story; I promise people will find it helpful when googling. I’m glad they were really clear about everything to you; it sounds like you were fully informed.
As for the affect, it comes with the territory. Many patients feel great relief when they terminate- but it can also be one of the worst days in someone’s life- we can’t guess. (Does that make sense?) Between that & the crazy atmosphere around abortion, it can be hard to be lighthearted. *IME, most folks who work for PP, REALLY CARE; it’s rarely just a job.*
(I’m also relieved this is being upvoted, NGL.)
The protesters outside of the Annapolis PP are how I realized it was there. I hadn't noticed the sign outside the building, it looks like any of the other office buildings in town. But seeing protesters outside it one day made me look at why they were there, and that's when I realized it was there. I had driven past it a few dozen times and hadn't noticed it. Now if I ever lose my insurance I know where they are.
The sad truth about some of these protestors is a lot of them have had abortions themselves. I used to work in abortion care. We'd have people call and say how they're not like "other women who get abortions", that their situation is "so different"...then they'd get their abortions and go to harassing other women seeking abortions. It's so hypocritical and sick.
I could respect people having strong positions against abortion IFF they were actually pro-life, rather than just pro-birth, and would support measures that would ensure a baseline high level of care for both the mother and the child. A large number of people who seek abortions due not have the means (financial or otherwise) to raise a child well. They're not having abortions for funsies, it's typically in the best interest of all involved.
However, the pro-birth crowd suddenly develops strong sentiments against both the mother and the child immediately upon birth. They transition from innocent angels to scumbag welfare queens living a life of luxury on the taxpayer dime in the blink of a contraction. And this crowd consistently holds strong opinions against programs that could provide some of the aforementioned level of care, such as universal health care, UBI, parental leave, etc.
I'm not convinced they actually care about abortion one way or another. They just want to hate someone and/or something. They're easily susceptible to messaging that enables that hate and give in to politician soundbites and foreign government propaganda. They then use social media and the like to form echo chamber communities around their disguised hate.
Really, really not good.
Right I always wonder why they don’t use the time to volunteer for big brothers/big sisters or any other network that actually helps actual born kids, since they’re so worried about babies being born. But no, they only care about kids on this side of the uterus SMDH
They're wrong, but I get it. If I genuinely believed the regressive bullshit they do, I'd probably want to take action about it. The silver lining is they haven't figured out how to do anything productive in the service of their beliefs.
That's exactly why I don't believe they're genuine. If the pro-life position is that real people are being murdered at an industrial scale daily, and only an infinitesimal fraction of anti-choicers do anything more radical than whine on social media in response, then why should anyone else view their belief as sincerely held? Is it not more easy to believe it's about controlling women than about a genuine concern for human life if the few of them that are actually active limit their activity to holding some signs? At least I can believe the bona fides of someone who bombs an abortion clinic.
I read an incredible blog post years back from a former evangelical, anti-choice woman who researched a condition that causes a major amount of miscarriages. She tried to raise money for research and generally just spread awareness, especially since catching it early can save so many wanted pregnancies. But her church and fellow protesters didn't care- despite how easy and effective it would be to help- and that was a watershed moment for her.
I have no idea. There are a whole lot of political beliefs whose most extreme adherents are willing to use violence in service of their beliefs. Eco-terrorism is a thing, but that doesn't impact my views or actions regarding climate change.
>There are a whole lot of political beliefs whose most extreme adherents are willing to use violence in service of their beliefs
There are quite a few political tendencies in which the moderates support violence in service of their beliefs. Capitalism is pretty much the unchallenged orthodoxy and requires highly visible violent enforcement.
>Eco-terrorism is a thing, but that doesn't impact my views or actions regarding climate change.
Probably should. The other team doesn't have the same squemishness about the use of force.
>Probably should.
We are never going to out-might or out-money the ruling class, nor is violence capable of producing the lasting systemic change needed to address capitalism in a meaningful way. This is not a viable strategy.
Protesting is usually done at the location of an organization where the disliked practice occurs, hor the home/office of a person involved in an issue in some way.
You wouldn't go to City Hall to protest a case being heard before the Supreme Court.
You would not go to the Supreme Court to protest a bill being considered at City Hall.
You would not go to a movie theater to protest a library burning a book.
You would not go to the Family Birthing Center at a hospital to protest Abortion.
Would you?
As a man I have no dog in this fight directly but I can say you will never see me near a Planned Parenthood facility.
However I am an activist in other issues that affect me and I can fully understand why people protest where they do.
Quick PSA for anyone who may require abortion care in the future: the PP in Towson is located inside a privately owned office building, and protesters are prohibited. The PP on Howard is in a city owned building and protesters are permitted. I recommend the PP in Towson to anyone who has transportation.
PS. Thank you for sharing your experience <3
Same with Whole Women’s Health in Overlea.
They have protestors, but as the clinic is on private property they are required to stay behind a fence line outside of the parking lot.
I go to Diablo Donuts every Saturday morning. Occasionally I see protesters, but they are limited to the side of Belair Road which is fortunately far from the actual clinic. I enjoy screaming "MY BODY, MY CHOICE!!!" out my car window at those losers when I'm leaving. 😁
Very interesting review of your experience. Thank you for sharing your hard-to-find detailed description. I hope you felt you were treated well. Sorry to hear that there were any busybodies or sociopolitical agitators at all involved in your journey, but they seem to be everywhere nowadays. Best wishes for your future and your good health.
It’s vital that people share their experiences so we can maintain these services for others. That planned parenthood actually helped me switch birth controls because the one I was on was leaving me with an elevated stroke risk due to my migraines with aura.
Kinda surprised you saw a protester, I haven’t when I’ve visited but they obvi have armed security and bulletproof entry for a reason
The PP on N Howard has a regular group of protestors that are out there every single day from about 9am until 1pm.
Some are more aggressive than others, but they are always there.
I went to PP on Howard for all my OB appointments until my first complex diagnosis, but I really appreciate being in a place that serves diverse clientele. They placed my first IUD on a 3rd attempt when I was in college, I was so grateful!
Hope your recovery is going smoothly! Thank you for taking the time to detail it and provide us with a resource :)
Out of curiosity, and I totally understand if you don’t wish to answer, did you have the procedure done here because of restrictions where you live? If so, I’m sorry you had to do all that.
No, this trip back had already been in the works for a few months. The state I currently live in fortunately has no restrictions on abortion access, but appointments were backed up and I did not know how far along I was (I’ve been on progestin only birth control and have had a steady sexual partner), so I got in here.
As a volunteer with Baltimore Abortion Fund, thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m so glad you got the care you needed! There is so much misinformation around abortion and this will help dispel it. I speak to people all the time who are going to the Howard St. PPMD (or another location) and it’s so reassuring for them to hear that it will be okay and they’ll be cared for. Maryland is truly a destination state for abortion seekers from all over the country. If anyone reading wants to get involved in abortion advocacy or needs help paying for their appointment, please look us up. The work is sometimes difficult but extremely important.
Brave strong woman. I’m crying with relief reading that your experience was better than mine 1988. And so much worse before you and me. If there is anyone reading this in need of transportation or support please feel free to DM me.
Your detailed and informative narrative is appreciated and is sure to be of benefit to people reading it. I'm so glad you had an uneventful procedure and hope that your recovery will be equally uneventful.
I am far too old to require any sort of pregnancy-related services at all, but I do have a younger friend who receives her reproductive care at that same clinic. I remember a few years back that she mentioned that the harassment by protesters was getting steadily worse. I'm very glad to hear, and glad on your behalf, that it wasn't a problem for you.
Thanks again for posting this. It really is important.
Wishing you well on your recovery. I'm glad Baltimore PP could get you the healthcare you needed when you needed it and you had every option available to you to make the best decision for yourself.
Everyone deserves all of that.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I hope you’re doing well now.
If you’d rather not answer this question or provide any more details, I completely understand. But I was wondering, what other sedation options were you given? Specifically, what medications would the IV drip have been?
The medications would have been the same or similar, but they would have worked immediately, and I could have asked for more had I needed to. I also would’ve needed to stay for up to 3 hours in the recovery room. With mild/oral, I only had to stay for 15-45 minutes after in the recovery room, but I could’ve stayed longer if I needed to.
With surgical, there’s less risk of an incomplete procedure and the pros of medication (more natural, more private) weren’t the things I was most concerned with. I will say I am glad I chose to go ahead with surgical.
Thank you so much for generously sharing details about your experience.
The 1980s, 15 year-old version of me would have benefitted from having this info from a woman with lived experience instead of going to a crisis pregnancy center.
You’ve done important work with this post. Thank you. Wishing you all the best.
Yes. The organization that escorts there is called Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force (WACDTF). You can sign up to get training [here](https://www.wacdtf.org/training-interest-form/).
Escorting is scheduled Wednesday through Friday. There are 2 shifts each of those days. 9-11, 11-1.
You sign up for shifts as your schedule allows.
You need a bit of a thick skin. The protesters are really nasty people. I'm not exaggerating.
Could you elaborate a bit on how the protestors act towards clinic escorts? Do they “just” shout terrible things at you during your whole shift, or… do they physically intimidate you, take photos of you, harass you in other ways?
I’m interested in becoming a clinic escort and want to know what to expect.
There are periods of calm between the diatribes. Baby killers is the least offensive thing they say to us.
Some do crowd us and will reach over us to try and give literature to people walking into the clinic.
Over the past couple of years we've successfully prosecuted 3 of them for simple assault but none of them come around anymore and the others have learned the lesson.
You spend a lot of time rolling your eyes because they are detached from reality.
For me it can be mentally draining because you are always aware of what's going on.
There is required training to help prepare you.
I've been doing it pretty much once a week for 5 years and I actually enjoy it, and the other escorts are a great bunch of people. I can't emphasize enough.
Thanks for sharing your story!
I've been to that particular clinic a lot lately. PSA: if you have recurring gynecological issues that require on-time testing and treatment, Planned Parenthood is a lot easier to schedule and more responsive than a regular gynecologist. They are also quick, affordable, and non-judgmental for regular STI screening.
It's kind of sad that you have to be buzzed in through bullet proof glass doors and maybe yell at the protestors out front. But the staff is super helpful and friendly. And on the days they had them, the clinic escorts were so cheerful and calm, they made me feel better about humanity as a whole.
This post will help so many folks. I’m sorry you were alone at this moment. I’m not certain, but I believe that Baltimore Doula Project has abortion doulas to offer support. If anyone else is in need, it is worth looking into.
I terminated a pregnancy when I lived in CT and it was very similar. Unfortunately, there were many protestors the day I went and that ended up being the most traumatic part of the whole thing. Thank you for sharing your experience and please take some time for yourself to recover. I know for me the hormonal changes that had begun during the pregnancy took awhile to recalibrate and I felt mildly depressed for a month or two after.
I use PP for my regular OBGYN visits and I've always had great experiences with them in the cities where I've lived. They're so kind, gentle, trauma-informed, queer-inclusive and thorough. I so appreciate the services they provide, and I love sending my health insurance dollars their way. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Wishing you peace and ease in the days ahead. If you find yourself contemplating the process and ruminating, allow yourself the grace to go through that. Regardless of where our heads are walking into that building, we go through a difficult procedure both physically and emotionally. I've been in your shoes.
Thank you for sharing your experience, OP. It’s good to understand what the procedure may be like for those who do not wish to continue with a pregnancy for whichever reason (and all reasons are valid because abortion rights are human rights) I hope you are recovering well. ❤️
I went to that one myself for routine checkup and antibiotics, and they were very much how you described. No protesters when I went, thankfully (it was also raining cats and dogs).
I'm glad these are easily accessible for everyone despite what they may need.
I'm glad to hear able to get the care that you needed and that you have. Had a good experience there. In my high school and college days I went to Planned Parenthood in a different state for birth control and gynecological care and I found the staff to be helpful and caring and an overall great experience.
I hope to never need this information but who knows, I might. I'm really grateful that you took the time to share your experience as I'm sure it will help many. I think it's inhumane that people protest outside of abortion clinics and I can't believe we tolerate that as a society. I'm glad it didn't ruin your day. Hope you are recovering well and feeling good now.
Thanks for taking the time and emotional work it takes to share these experiences. So important for women to know it’s a choice we are allowed to make and it’s OK when we do. I wish you a speedy recovery both physically and mentally/emotionally. Whether you wanted to stay pregnant or not doesn’t matter to the hormones that we’re gearing up, so allow yourself to feel any emotions as they pass. Take care ♥️
I really thought this was gonna go a weird anti choice route and I’m ashamed of that but OP, I’m sorry for your previous loss and simultaneously glad that you were able to get what you needed this time without (as much) hassle as elsewhere. I wish this was the case for pregnant people everywhere.
I wanted to also comment on the income thing- I have not had to use PP for anything but I have a lot of friends who have and still do use PP and I hope people see the value in what PP does (of which abortion is very little of their overall services). $500 seems to be the base (which I think is also kind of crazy and way too much but I also understand to an extent why it is structured that way) but they have at times offered payment plans rather than reduced cost and I assume they kind of “budget” it at a reduced cost for people who are unable or for whatever reason don’t pay.
Anyway, hope you’re on the mend, OP. 🩷
Man, I had two surgical abortions in the mid 2000s, one at 6 weeks and one at 7 weeks, at the PP in Silver Spring, and they gave me zero pain relief, either during or after. Not even an ibuprofen. Glad they’ve seen their way to providing pain management now.
I read a couple of accounts of people not receiving pain relief recently at other clinics. I’m not sure why some offer and others don’t. Kind of wished I’d asked.
I get my bc shot at the PP on Howard and have never seen protestors, I’m so sorry you had to experience that on top of what was already a stressful event.
I really don’t think Planned Parenthood gets nearly enough appreciation. I am on BC to stop my period because I have severe PMDD that made me genuinely suicidal a week before and during my period. PP has always been there for me in times where I was uninsured or unable to access care any other way, despite what the pro-lifers would have you believe, they truly are life savers.
Side note, I’m uninsured until open enrollment in November because I didn’t go through a qualifying life event in the window of time I was supposed to. Isn’t being alive enough to qualify for health insurance? The healthcare in this country is so ridiculous
I’m glad you had an overall good experience and I hope you’re doing okay. I got care there about ten years ago and had an very similar experience, except I was only given ibuprofen… no Valium, no oxy. And it did hurt, I almost passed out. I’m so glad to hear they are taking pain much more seriously now and medicating appropriately.
Echoing the other comments, thank you for sharing your experience. For anyone reading and having trouble finding resources regarding abortion, the [Baltimore Abortion Fund](https://www.baltimoreabortionfund.org) provides financial assistance and transportation for Marylanders who are struggling to access abortion.
I'm glad to hear it went well for you. I also had a surgical termination at that location but back in 2017, and I did not have a good experience at all.
I got a surgical abortion done a week ago, I’m having spotting still. Does anybody know if I can use boric acid inside. I feel like I have a incoming yeast infection
How did you stomach look at the time of going in to get your exam? I made an appointment this week and didn’t know how far a long I am to know what to expect. If I’m passed 6 weeks for Florida I have to go to my families town up north and do it there.
Maybe move to a state or city that better reflects your political values. We in Maryland firmly believe in the woman’s right to choose. I hate abortion as well but it’s her right and I respect that she had the guts to do what she had to do to help herself.
I'm actually glad that my mother had a choice. Every child should be brought into the world by someone who is actively choosing to do so. My mother deeply wanted to have a child and I am much better off for it. If she had felt otherwise and gotten an abortion, that would have been completely fine. And FYI, not everyone buys into your religious nonsense about repentance or what have you.
Thank you for sharing your experience, it is so important
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The morons protest outside the PP clinic near me, despite it not being a clinic that offers abortions. They’re literally protesting cancer screenings and condoms. 🤣
>literally protesting cancer screenings and condoms Yeah, they do that… I worked for PP as an educator in PNW. My base clinic didn’t offer AB’s, had nasty protesters. Then at another clinic, AB days were Thursday. Protesters showed up on Teen Clinic days for a year SMH (no AB’s.) OP, thanks so much for sharing your story; I promise people will find it helpful when googling. I’m glad they were really clear about everything to you; it sounds like you were fully informed. As for the affect, it comes with the territory. Many patients feel great relief when they terminate- but it can also be one of the worst days in someone’s life- we can’t guess. (Does that make sense?) Between that & the crazy atmosphere around abortion, it can be hard to be lighthearted. *IME, most folks who work for PP, REALLY CARE; it’s rarely just a job.* (I’m also relieved this is being upvoted, NGL.)
The protesters outside of the Annapolis PP are how I realized it was there. I hadn't noticed the sign outside the building, it looks like any of the other office buildings in town. But seeing protesters outside it one day made me look at why they were there, and that's when I realized it was there. I had driven past it a few dozen times and hadn't noticed it. Now if I ever lose my insurance I know where they are.
The sad truth about some of these protestors is a lot of them have had abortions themselves. I used to work in abortion care. We'd have people call and say how they're not like "other women who get abortions", that their situation is "so different"...then they'd get their abortions and go to harassing other women seeking abortions. It's so hypocritical and sick.
That's definitely the most upsetting part to me as well. The hypocrisy is so beyond unreasonable
The only moral abortion is my abortion.
I could respect people having strong positions against abortion IFF they were actually pro-life, rather than just pro-birth, and would support measures that would ensure a baseline high level of care for both the mother and the child. A large number of people who seek abortions due not have the means (financial or otherwise) to raise a child well. They're not having abortions for funsies, it's typically in the best interest of all involved. However, the pro-birth crowd suddenly develops strong sentiments against both the mother and the child immediately upon birth. They transition from innocent angels to scumbag welfare queens living a life of luxury on the taxpayer dime in the blink of a contraction. And this crowd consistently holds strong opinions against programs that could provide some of the aforementioned level of care, such as universal health care, UBI, parental leave, etc. I'm not convinced they actually care about abortion one way or another. They just want to hate someone and/or something. They're easily susceptible to messaging that enables that hate and give in to politician soundbites and foreign government propaganda. They then use social media and the like to form echo chamber communities around their disguised hate. Really, really not good.
Right I always wonder why they don’t use the time to volunteer for big brothers/big sisters or any other network that actually helps actual born kids, since they’re so worried about babies being born. But no, they only care about kids on this side of the uterus SMDH
They're wrong, but I get it. If I genuinely believed the regressive bullshit they do, I'd probably want to take action about it. The silver lining is they haven't figured out how to do anything productive in the service of their beliefs.
That's exactly why I don't believe they're genuine. If the pro-life position is that real people are being murdered at an industrial scale daily, and only an infinitesimal fraction of anti-choicers do anything more radical than whine on social media in response, then why should anyone else view their belief as sincerely held? Is it not more easy to believe it's about controlling women than about a genuine concern for human life if the few of them that are actually active limit their activity to holding some signs? At least I can believe the bona fides of someone who bombs an abortion clinic.
I read an incredible blog post years back from a former evangelical, anti-choice woman who researched a condition that causes a major amount of miscarriages. She tried to raise money for research and generally just spread awareness, especially since catching it early can save so many wanted pregnancies. But her church and fellow protesters didn't care- despite how easy and effective it would be to help- and that was a watershed moment for her.
The world is full of people who are sincere in their beliefs but know nothing about creating the social change they wish to see.
How many anti-choicers do you believe are completely unaware of the fact that the most sincere among them bomb clinics and shoot doctors?
I have no idea. There are a whole lot of political beliefs whose most extreme adherents are willing to use violence in service of their beliefs. Eco-terrorism is a thing, but that doesn't impact my views or actions regarding climate change.
>There are a whole lot of political beliefs whose most extreme adherents are willing to use violence in service of their beliefs There are quite a few political tendencies in which the moderates support violence in service of their beliefs. Capitalism is pretty much the unchallenged orthodoxy and requires highly visible violent enforcement. >Eco-terrorism is a thing, but that doesn't impact my views or actions regarding climate change. Probably should. The other team doesn't have the same squemishness about the use of force.
>Probably should. We are never going to out-might or out-money the ruling class, nor is violence capable of producing the lasting systemic change needed to address capitalism in a meaningful way. This is not a viable strategy.
According to who, you?
Me, Marx, and MLK among others.
Protesting is usually done at the location of an organization where the disliked practice occurs, hor the home/office of a person involved in an issue in some way. You wouldn't go to City Hall to protest a case being heard before the Supreme Court. You would not go to the Supreme Court to protest a bill being considered at City Hall. You would not go to a movie theater to protest a library burning a book. You would not go to the Family Birthing Center at a hospital to protest Abortion. Would you? As a man I have no dog in this fight directly but I can say you will never see me near a Planned Parenthood facility. However I am an activist in other issues that affect me and I can fully understand why people protest where they do.
Quick PSA for anyone who may require abortion care in the future: the PP in Towson is located inside a privately owned office building, and protesters are prohibited. The PP on Howard is in a city owned building and protesters are permitted. I recommend the PP in Towson to anyone who has transportation. PS. Thank you for sharing your experience <3
Same with Whole Women’s Health in Overlea. They have protestors, but as the clinic is on private property they are required to stay behind a fence line outside of the parking lot.
I go to Diablo Donuts every Saturday morning. Occasionally I see protesters, but they are limited to the side of Belair Road which is fortunately far from the actual clinic. I enjoy screaming "MY BODY, MY CHOICE!!!" out my car window at those losers when I'm leaving. 😁
The PP in Annapolis is also in a private office building where protesters are prohibited 💜
Very interesting review of your experience. Thank you for sharing your hard-to-find detailed description. I hope you felt you were treated well. Sorry to hear that there were any busybodies or sociopolitical agitators at all involved in your journey, but they seem to be everywhere nowadays. Best wishes for your future and your good health.
It’s vital that people share their experiences so we can maintain these services for others. That planned parenthood actually helped me switch birth controls because the one I was on was leaving me with an elevated stroke risk due to my migraines with aura. Kinda surprised you saw a protester, I haven’t when I’ve visited but they obvi have armed security and bulletproof entry for a reason
The PP on N Howard has a regular group of protestors that are out there every single day from about 9am until 1pm. Some are more aggressive than others, but they are always there.
That’s 4 hrs a day they could be putting into actual needy children that exist in the local area. Its 🤯
I went to PP on Howard for all my OB appointments until my first complex diagnosis, but I really appreciate being in a place that serves diverse clientele. They placed my first IUD on a 3rd attempt when I was in college, I was so grateful!
I used to volunteer there in high school as a peer educator and I'm so happy you had a nice experience with them
Thank you for this 💚
Thank you for sharing this. And I’m sorry you had to experience it but glad you were able to get this important procedure done.
Glad you were visiting Baltimore and not Miami, or Austin, or Columbus...
There are protesters from Canada standing outside an Orlando clinic right now getting sun poisoning. It’s bonkers.
I didn't realize clinics were still open in Florida.
Clinics are open in Florida and Ohio…
That video is pure gold
Hope your recovery is going smoothly! Thank you for taking the time to detail it and provide us with a resource :) Out of curiosity, and I totally understand if you don’t wish to answer, did you have the procedure done here because of restrictions where you live? If so, I’m sorry you had to do all that.
No, this trip back had already been in the works for a few months. The state I currently live in fortunately has no restrictions on abortion access, but appointments were backed up and I did not know how far along I was (I’ve been on progestin only birth control and have had a steady sexual partner), so I got in here.
As a volunteer with Baltimore Abortion Fund, thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m so glad you got the care you needed! There is so much misinformation around abortion and this will help dispel it. I speak to people all the time who are going to the Howard St. PPMD (or another location) and it’s so reassuring for them to hear that it will be okay and they’ll be cared for. Maryland is truly a destination state for abortion seekers from all over the country. If anyone reading wants to get involved in abortion advocacy or needs help paying for their appointment, please look us up. The work is sometimes difficult but extremely important.
This is good information, thank you for sharing. I'm glad the staff were helpful and professional.
I’m glad you got the care you needed in a safe and dignified way. I wish the same for everyone.
Brave strong woman. I’m crying with relief reading that your experience was better than mine 1988. And so much worse before you and me. If there is anyone reading this in need of transportation or support please feel free to DM me.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Your detailed and informative narrative is appreciated and is sure to be of benefit to people reading it. I'm so glad you had an uneventful procedure and hope that your recovery will be equally uneventful. I am far too old to require any sort of pregnancy-related services at all, but I do have a younger friend who receives her reproductive care at that same clinic. I remember a few years back that she mentioned that the harassment by protesters was getting steadily worse. I'm very glad to hear, and glad on your behalf, that it wasn't a problem for you. Thanks again for posting this. It really is important.
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Woah, what the hell? This is not ok at all. This can absolutely be reported. I’m so sorry you received this kind of treatment.
Was it Planned Parenthood or some other type of clinic?
Wishing you well on your recovery. I'm glad Baltimore PP could get you the healthcare you needed when you needed it and you had every option available to you to make the best decision for yourself. Everyone deserves all of that.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I hope you’re doing well now. If you’d rather not answer this question or provide any more details, I completely understand. But I was wondering, what other sedation options were you given? Specifically, what medications would the IV drip have been?
The medications would have been the same or similar, but they would have worked immediately, and I could have asked for more had I needed to. I also would’ve needed to stay for up to 3 hours in the recovery room. With mild/oral, I only had to stay for 15-45 minutes after in the recovery room, but I could’ve stayed longer if I needed to.
That makes sense. Thanks for the response!
Thanks for sharing your story! Would you mind going into the reasons for opting to stay with the surgical procedure as opposed to the medication.
With surgical, there’s less risk of an incomplete procedure and the pros of medication (more natural, more private) weren’t the things I was most concerned with. I will say I am glad I chose to go ahead with surgical.
Thank you so much for generously sharing details about your experience. The 1980s, 15 year-old version of me would have benefitted from having this info from a woman with lived experience instead of going to a crisis pregnancy center. You’ve done important work with this post. Thank you. Wishing you all the best.
OP, I hope that you are doing well. I’m truly grateful that MD is led by a governor who cares about women’s reproductive rights.
Thank you for sharing ❤️
r/abortion
Can we volunteer as escorts?
Yes. The organization that escorts there is called Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force (WACDTF). You can sign up to get training [here](https://www.wacdtf.org/training-interest-form/).
I volunteered with WACDTF in Virginia. Great org.
Escorting is scheduled Wednesday through Friday. There are 2 shifts each of those days. 9-11, 11-1. You sign up for shifts as your schedule allows. You need a bit of a thick skin. The protesters are really nasty people. I'm not exaggerating.
Thank you. I never thought of this but I will look into it.
Could you elaborate a bit on how the protestors act towards clinic escorts? Do they “just” shout terrible things at you during your whole shift, or… do they physically intimidate you, take photos of you, harass you in other ways? I’m interested in becoming a clinic escort and want to know what to expect.
There are periods of calm between the diatribes. Baby killers is the least offensive thing they say to us. Some do crowd us and will reach over us to try and give literature to people walking into the clinic. Over the past couple of years we've successfully prosecuted 3 of them for simple assault but none of them come around anymore and the others have learned the lesson. You spend a lot of time rolling your eyes because they are detached from reality. For me it can be mentally draining because you are always aware of what's going on. There is required training to help prepare you. I've been doing it pretty much once a week for 5 years and I actually enjoy it, and the other escorts are a great bunch of people. I can't emphasize enough.
You kick ass OP, thanks for this!
Thanks for sharing your story! I've been to that particular clinic a lot lately. PSA: if you have recurring gynecological issues that require on-time testing and treatment, Planned Parenthood is a lot easier to schedule and more responsive than a regular gynecologist. They are also quick, affordable, and non-judgmental for regular STI screening. It's kind of sad that you have to be buzzed in through bullet proof glass doors and maybe yell at the protestors out front. But the staff is super helpful and friendly. And on the days they had them, the clinic escorts were so cheerful and calm, they made me feel better about humanity as a whole.
Thank you. As an escort there it's nice to know that being there helps.
Thank you for your service!
Seconded! I was able to schedule an IUD consult/insertion within 2 days there. Going to my regular gyno would have been months.
This post will help so many folks. I’m sorry you were alone at this moment. I’m not certain, but I believe that Baltimore Doula Project has abortion doulas to offer support. If anyone else is in need, it is worth looking into.
Thank you for sharing this 💜
I terminated a pregnancy when I lived in CT and it was very similar. Unfortunately, there were many protestors the day I went and that ended up being the most traumatic part of the whole thing. Thank you for sharing your experience and please take some time for yourself to recover. I know for me the hormonal changes that had begun during the pregnancy took awhile to recalibrate and I felt mildly depressed for a month or two after.
I went there about 28 years ago and had a positive experience also. Hope you are getting rest. Wishing you peace and comfort.
I had a similar experience there about 20yrs ago as well. Everyone there was very compassionate and comforting.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience so that others know what to expect. Hope your recovery goes well!
I use PP for my regular OBGYN visits and I've always had great experiences with them in the cities where I've lived. They're so kind, gentle, trauma-informed, queer-inclusive and thorough. I so appreciate the services they provide, and I love sending my health insurance dollars their way. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Wishing you peace and ease in the days ahead. If you find yourself contemplating the process and ruminating, allow yourself the grace to go through that. Regardless of where our heads are walking into that building, we go through a difficult procedure both physically and emotionally. I've been in your shoes.
thanks for sharing your experience. I hope you’re having a safe and quick recovery!
Thank you for sharing your experience, OP. It’s good to understand what the procedure may be like for those who do not wish to continue with a pregnancy for whichever reason (and all reasons are valid because abortion rights are human rights) I hope you are recovering well. ❤️
Really glad you were able to get the care you needed. Take care of yourself.
Thank you for sharing this OP, it is such valuable information and I'm sure this post will help others in the same position know what to expect.
Hey OP, thank you for sharing your story. It is so important for women to be able to talk frankly about our lives. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
I cant wrap my head around why these nutjobs want to control womens bodies . Rest up and feel better soon .
Thank you for sharing your experience. Hope you’re doing well.
I went to that one myself for routine checkup and antibiotics, and they were very much how you described. No protesters when I went, thankfully (it was also raining cats and dogs). I'm glad these are easily accessible for everyone despite what they may need.
Really glad that you were able to get quality care here.
I'm glad to hear able to get the care that you needed and that you have. Had a good experience there. In my high school and college days I went to Planned Parenthood in a different state for birth control and gynecological care and I found the staff to be helpful and caring and an overall great experience.
I hope to never need this information but who knows, I might. I'm really grateful that you took the time to share your experience as I'm sure it will help many. I think it's inhumane that people protest outside of abortion clinics and I can't believe we tolerate that as a society. I'm glad it didn't ruin your day. Hope you are recovering well and feeling good now.
Thanks for taking the time and emotional work it takes to share these experiences. So important for women to know it’s a choice we are allowed to make and it’s OK when we do. I wish you a speedy recovery both physically and mentally/emotionally. Whether you wanted to stay pregnant or not doesn’t matter to the hormones that we’re gearing up, so allow yourself to feel any emotions as they pass. Take care ♥️
I really thought this was gonna go a weird anti choice route and I’m ashamed of that but OP, I’m sorry for your previous loss and simultaneously glad that you were able to get what you needed this time without (as much) hassle as elsewhere. I wish this was the case for pregnant people everywhere. I wanted to also comment on the income thing- I have not had to use PP for anything but I have a lot of friends who have and still do use PP and I hope people see the value in what PP does (of which abortion is very little of their overall services). $500 seems to be the base (which I think is also kind of crazy and way too much but I also understand to an extent why it is structured that way) but they have at times offered payment plans rather than reduced cost and I assume they kind of “budget” it at a reduced cost for people who are unable or for whatever reason don’t pay. Anyway, hope you’re on the mend, OP. 🩷
I've been to this location before & had a positive experience with the medication abortion. Thank you so much for sharing your story :)
Man, I had two surgical abortions in the mid 2000s, one at 6 weeks and one at 7 weeks, at the PP in Silver Spring, and they gave me zero pain relief, either during or after. Not even an ibuprofen. Glad they’ve seen their way to providing pain management now.
I read a couple of accounts of people not receiving pain relief recently at other clinics. I’m not sure why some offer and others don’t. Kind of wished I’d asked.
I get my bc shot at the PP on Howard and have never seen protestors, I’m so sorry you had to experience that on top of what was already a stressful event. I really don’t think Planned Parenthood gets nearly enough appreciation. I am on BC to stop my period because I have severe PMDD that made me genuinely suicidal a week before and during my period. PP has always been there for me in times where I was uninsured or unable to access care any other way, despite what the pro-lifers would have you believe, they truly are life savers. Side note, I’m uninsured until open enrollment in November because I didn’t go through a qualifying life event in the window of time I was supposed to. Isn’t being alive enough to qualify for health insurance? The healthcare in this country is so ridiculous
I’m glad you had an overall good experience and I hope you’re doing okay. I got care there about ten years ago and had an very similar experience, except I was only given ibuprofen… no Valium, no oxy. And it did hurt, I almost passed out. I’m so glad to hear they are taking pain much more seriously now and medicating appropriately.
Thanks so much for this. Genuinely so reassuring and helpful.
Echoing the other comments, thank you for sharing your experience. For anyone reading and having trouble finding resources regarding abortion, the [Baltimore Abortion Fund](https://www.baltimoreabortionfund.org) provides financial assistance and transportation for Marylanders who are struggling to access abortion.
Thank you for sharing this. Its so important to demystify. Wishing you a speedy recovery and the best going forward 💓
Heroic post, thanks so much.
As an abortion nurse…this made my heart happy 🌸I’m happy you had the proper care and a good experience OP! Rest up !
Thank you for this. I hope you have a speedy recovery!
I'm commenting so I can share my story tomorrow. I am falling asleep. Thank you for sharing your own story and know you are not alone.
Thank you for sharing your story. Another woman in need of an abortion may find this and the information may assuage her fears.
Thank you for sharing your story! 🫶🏼
I'm glad to hear it went well for you. I also had a surgical termination at that location but back in 2017, and I did not have a good experience at all.
Thank you for sharing this. I hope you are recovering well. This could be good to share on r/twoXchromosomes also
Thank you so much for sharing this. All the best to you in your journey. We need insightful and honest people such as you in the world.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. This may save someone’s life who is searching for info. I appreciated reading your thoughts.
I got a surgical abortion done a week ago, I’m having spotting still. Does anybody know if I can use boric acid inside. I feel like I have a incoming yeast infection
How did you stomach look at the time of going in to get your exam? I made an appointment this week and didn’t know how far a long I am to know what to expect. If I’m passed 6 weeks for Florida I have to go to my families town up north and do it there.
Stomach looked and felt normal. I may have been a bit bloated but that’s not out of the norm for me. Sorry you’re dealing with this in Florida.
Thanks for sharing! There are many stories like this one on r/abortion, but it’s great when people share in their local subreddits!
Hey can you DM me. It’s a private matter about the abortion and my life and wouldn’t want to blast it online. I would so greatly appreciate it!
WTF it's been closed for years.
This is so sad 😔
What's sad is that others don't get the medical care that they need. This person got the care they needed when they needed it with professionalism.
Yes your opinion is sad.
Maybe move to a state or city that better reflects your political values. We in Maryland firmly believe in the woman’s right to choose. I hate abortion as well but it’s her right and I respect that she had the guts to do what she had to do to help herself.
Very sad.
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For…?
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If I was aborted I literally would not care. I think you need to reexamine what you consider horrific. Abortion is healthcare.
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Nope!
I'm actually glad that my mother had a choice. Every child should be brought into the world by someone who is actively choosing to do so. My mother deeply wanted to have a child and I am much better off for it. If she had felt otherwise and gotten an abortion, that would have been completely fine. And FYI, not everyone buys into your religious nonsense about repentance or what have you.
When were you due?
Okay and.