Appreciation post for Planned Parenthood in the hellscape that is women’s healthcare
I am very decidedly childfree (F37, USA). I’ve known my whole life I do not want to be a mother. A few years ago, I tried to get sterilized, and although I did find a willing doctor my insurance deemed it “not medically necessary” and it would have cost me way more than I could afford. I stayed on the hormonal birth control I’d been on for about 20 years for a while longer, and then six months ago changed to a copper IUD (in an effort to get away from hormones).
A week ago, I realized I hadn’t had a period for a while. I felt normal but just in case, did a pregnancy test. Sure enough… immediately positive. Took a second one… same result. Damn. So I called my regular OBGYN and told them that I want both of these things out of me. It’s worth mentioning I’m in a “blue” state, and that with a copper IUD the chance of an etopic pregnancy that could, you know, *kill* me is very high. They wouldn’t agree to see me for three weeks to take out the IUD because it could “hurt the baby at this time.” I was and still am blown away they wouldn’t agree to even see me to see if I had a life-threatening concern. I went from being a patient to an incubator only, and frankly they were very rude and judgmental to me on the phone.
I went ahead and called Planned Parenthood and they agreed to see me the next day, and they took care of both concerns for me with a great deal of compassion and kindness. I honestly can’t say enough good things about them. There was no judgement or questions and they were so, so understanding and kind. The determination was that the IUD slipped down in my uterus and wasn’t doing its job, unbeknownst to me.
All of this has been a physically and emotionally horrible thing that I wouldn’t wish on anyone, but I am absolutely proof that it can happen to *anyone*. I feel I did everything “right” and it still happened to me. I am now and will be moving forward a very strong advocate for and donor to Planned Parenthood; they really stepped up and took care of me when I needed it (and I do recognize that I am lucky to live close enough to be able to have their help).