ClinicQuotes

In Don Sloan, M.D. with Paula Hartz, Abortion: a Doctor’s Perspective, a Woman’s Dilemma (New York: Donald I Fine Inc., 1992) 234 – 235

The following story was told to Dr. Sloan:

“The people in the [abortion clinic]office seemed real nice, so I was kind of surprised by this guy. He kind of leered at me, you know? But at the same time he really had an attitude – like I was dirt or something. I thought, was it cause I’m black? But I think it was just him.

He said, “Get your things off and lie down.” And I’m thinking isn’t there a gown or something? I was standing right there. So I asked for someplace to change and he said, “Do it in here. We have to get this over with.” But he gave a sheet to wrap up in, which was clean, at least.

When I went to put my feet in the stirrups, my legs were too long. And while he’s adjusting them, he’s making these cute little remarks about my legs and my nail polish. I’d already paid, and I wanted to get it over with too, or I’d have been out of there, I swear. I was that angry.

It hurt – a lot. And I could hear the suction thing – it was real loud, and it was like it was sucking out my whole insides. I kept asking questions, and the whole time he didn’t say one thing. Just ignored me.

…

When I got up, I felt sort of faint, and there was blood running down my leg. I showed him, and he said it was nothing. But when I went to get my clothes, the blood was getting on the floor. And he said to me, “You’re dirtying things up. Get back up here.” He did some more stuff, and I heard the machine again. It didn’t hurt as much, though, or maybe I was just so out of it I didn’t care.”

He gestured at her to get up again, and this time he gave her a sanitary napkin. “You know how to use these things, I suppose?” he sneered.”

While not all abortion providers treat women badly, there are some that do treat women with disrespect and brusqueness or even outright hostility. You can and learn more about incidents like this one here.