A book in which the author interviewed post-abortion women had the following story:
“Wanda’s first abortion experience was not easy, and she holds not only Stuart [her partner] responsible, but also the clinic. Wanda’s abortion occurred at 15 weeks. The procedure lasted 2 days. The clinic staff inserted laminaria in her cervix so that it would dilate overnight, and sent her home without preparing her for the terrible cramps she would feel. That evening, in great pain, Wanda called a hospital; the staff said she was having contractions. Wanda cannot believe the clinic didn’t warn her of this. The clinic’s staff members were impersonal. Their attitude was almost, “Here’s another one. Get her over with.” Wanda says, “It was like a cattle haul. They brought us in all at the same time.” Those in the waiting room could hear noises from the operating room. Wanda observes, “They didn’t have the room soundproofed. You could hear the machine. So was like waiting to be branded.” Once Wanda arrived in the operating room, the clinic staff did an ultrasound and told her, “The baby’s perfectly healthy.” Wanda thought sarcastically, “Thank you. That’s just what I needed to know.” Wanda saw the ultrasound picture of her 15 week fetus, which disturbed her. After the procedure, as Wanda awoke from the anesthesia, she anxiously asked a nurse, “Am I all right?” The nurse responded, “You’re fine,” and pouted, “You pulled my hair.” Wanda recalls thinking, “I’ve got bigger fish to fry at the moment.” She adds, “Even in my state I was like, “a little sympathy would be nice.”
Eve Kushner Experiencing Abortion: a Weaving of Women’s Words (Binghamton, New York: The Haworth Press, 1997) 42
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