What Passes for Professionalism at Abortion Clinics?
"Lisa" sought abortion counseling at Women's Health Services in Pittsburgh on March 22, 1986. She was told that she was 11 to 12 weeks pregnant. Lisa decided not to have an abortion at that time, and asked for a consultation about possible genetic complications due to her epilepsy. She was referred to Magee Women's Hospital. She returned to Women's Health Services on April 5 for an abortion.
In the counselilng rooom, an employee "set a form in front of the [Lisa]. Most of the information on said form was typed in extremely small black print. The WHS employee then said 'This just allows us to perform the abortion and syas you're over 18. Please sign here.'" Lisa waid that she was discouraged from reading the form, and she was nervous, so she signed it as instructed. She said that she was not informed of the risks or alternatives, or the nature of the procedure.
She was examined by Dr. Michael Barnett and several others who "were talking back and forth, unsure as to the age of the fetus. Finally, one individual said 'we'll say 13 weeks' and they all agreed on that." Barnett them began to do a suction abortion. After a few minutes he left the room.
Lisa was led to a waiting room, then discharged. On April 6, 7, & 8, she had a bloated and sore abdomen and was unable to go to work. In the early afternoon of April 9, the pain escalated to the point where Lisa was alarmed, so she called her sister. Toward later in the afternoon, Lisa began to bleed heavily and pass clots and tissue. Her sister wanted to call an ambulance, but in compliance with clinic instructions her sister instead called the clinic. There was no answer.
Lisa's sister called the ambulance. When it arrived, the crew found Lisa bleeding profusely, discharging fetal tissue, and in severe pain. They took her to Sewickley Valley Hospital. She was admitted, and had a D&C to remove retained tissue.
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