My Year As an Abortion Doula

[Deleted]

I'm glad you posted this, I read it earlier in the week and was very moved. I continue to be grateful for people who serve women in this capacity, and can write so eloquently about its complexity and importance.

[karinothing]

I really enjoyed this article. I just really appreciate the view about mixed feelings, because it is exactly how I feel. I am very thankful their are people like her in the world that are able to provide comfort to the women that have to go through this.

Also, I don't know if I really realized that women were awake during first tri abortions, I mean I guess I did, but I can't imagine. I thought they would at least give headphones.

[gottadobe]

Thank you for sharing.

[Kattey]

This article made me tear up. I'm glad there are women who do this job and show such support to other women making this decision.

[wawa]

Sept 17, 2014 9:17:16 GMT -5 karinothing said:

I really enjoyed this article. I just really appreciate the view about mixed feelings, because it is exactly how I feel. I am very thankful their are people like her in the world that are able to provide comfort to the women that have to go through this.

Also, I don't know if I really realized that women were awake during first tri abortions, I mean I guess I did, but I can't imagine. I thought they would at least give headphones.

I don't know that they always are.  I had a D&C for a m/c, which to my understanding is basically the same procedure as a 1st tri abortion (and is coded that way on my medical records) and I was out.  Not like, intubated type anesthesia, but absolutely zero memory of anything. 

[karinothing]

Sept 17, 2014 12:01:11 GMT -5 wawa said:

Sept 17, 2014 9:17:16 GMT -5 karinothing said:

I really enjoyed this article. I just really appreciate the view about mixed feelings, because it is exactly how I feel. I am very thankful their are people like her in the world that are able to provide comfort to the women that have to go through this.

Also, I don't know if I really realized that women were awake during first tri abortions, I mean I guess I did, but I can't imagine. I thought they would at least give headphones.

I don't know that they always are.  I had a D&C for a m/c, which to my understanding is basically the same procedure as a 1st tri abortion (and is coded that way on my medical records) and I was out.  Not like, intubated type anesthesia, but absolutely zero memory of anything. 

Yeah, I was out for my D&C too. I didn't know though because I know that D&Cs are performed in hospitals, but wasn't sure if all abortions were. Maybe that makes the differnce?

[wawa]

Sept 17, 2014 12:02:34 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Sept 17, 2014 12:01:11 GMT -5 wawa said:

I don't know that they always are.  I had a D&C for a m/c, which to my understanding is basically the same procedure as a 1st tri abortion (and is coded that way on my medical records) and I was out.  Not like, intubated type anesthesia, but absolutely zero memory of anything. 

Yeah, I was out for my D&C too. I didn't know though because I know that D&Cs are performed in hospitals, but wasn't sure if all abortions were. Maybe that makes the differnce?

I dunno.  Mine was done in an outpatient surgery center connected to the hospital, but not in it.  The description here sounds like the clinic she volunteers at is set up similarly?

[downtoearth]

My sister went through a 14 week miscarriage outside the hospital and it was a near-birth experience and very tough. So I can only imagine that this is a much needed service. Thanks for posting.

[gottadobe]

Sept 17, 2014 12:01:11 GMT -5 wawa said:

Sept 17, 2014 9:17:16 GMT -5 karinothing said:

I really enjoyed this article. I just really appreciate the view about mixed feelings, because it is exactly how I feel. I am very thankful their are people like her in the world that are able to provide comfort to the women that have to go through this.

Also, I don't know if I really realized that women were awake during first tri abortions, I mean I guess I did, but I can't imagine. I thought they would at least give headphones.

I don't know that they always are.  I had a D&C for a m/c, which to my understanding is basically the same procedure as a 1st tri abortion (and is coded that way on my medical records) and I was out.  Not like, intubated type anesthesia, but absolutely zero memory of anything. 

I wonder if because one is a "choice" and one isn't?
Or, not being put under keeps costs low, therefore more accessible?

[karinothing]

Sept 17, 2014 12:20:26 GMT -5 gottadobe said:

Sept 17, 2014 12:01:11 GMT -5 wawa said:

I don't know that they always are.  I had a D&C for a m/c, which to my understanding is basically the same procedure as a 1st tri abortion (and is coded that way on my medical records) and I was out.  Not like, intubated type anesthesia, but absolutely zero memory of anything. 

I wonder if because one is a "choice" and one isn't?
Or, not being put under keeps costs low, therefore more accessible?

Yeah, I thought about that too, but didn't want to really think it. I will say on MMM some ladies had their D&C while awake. So maybe it just depends on your area.

[PinkSquirrel]

Sept 17, 2014 9:17:16 GMT -5 karinothing said:

I really enjoyed this article. I just really appreciate the view about mixed feelings, because it is exactly how I feel. I am very thankful their are people like her in the world that are able to provide comfort to the women that have to go through this.

Also, I don't know if I really realized that women were awake during first tri abortions, I mean I guess I did, but I can't imagine. I thought they would at least give headphones.

You have a choice, but it's more expensive to be sedated.   The procedure definitely doesn't necessitate sedation.


I have a lot of friends doing abortion doula work and it's so amazing and is so needed, especially for patients who chose to have a medical abortion and are alone at home often with no support.

[PinkSquirrel]

Sept 17, 2014 12:20:26 GMT -5 gottadobe said:

Sept 17, 2014 12:01:11 GMT -5 wawa said:

I don't know that they always are.  I had a D&C for a m/c, which to my understanding is basically the same procedure as a 1st tri abortion (and is coded that way on my medical records) and I was out.  Not like, intubated type anesthesia, but absolutely zero memory of anything. 

I wonder if because one is a "choice" and one isn't?
Or, not being put under keeps costs low, therefore more accessible?

Insurance definitely plays in, though sometimes they can get the sedation for an insurance that doesn't cover abortions to cover the anesthesia, but there are a lot of people getting abortions with no insurance who don't have the extra money to pay for sedation

[readyin07]

Thank you for sharing this. It was an excellent read on a really complicated subject.

I am, and will always be, pro choice and as such am pro choice for any reason that a woman feels she wants or needs an abortion. But as the author said, some of the situations presented make me feel...conflicted...and because of that I feel like some people would (and have) perhaps judged me as less of a feminist In one forum somewhere I stated that I am pro-choice, but that I agreed with the old adage that abortions should be safe, legal and rare. I got flamed to high heaven.  In any case, I really appreciated her perspective that someone can experience some cognitive dissonance surrounding the procedure and its circumstances while still being pro choice.