But I had the same medical procedure--a D&C, or "Dilation and Curettage," that is often used to perform an abortion.
What I would like to know is why every woman who decides, with her doctor, to undergo this procedure doesn't have the same ease, availability, and standard of care that I was fortunate enough to experience when I needed this surgery?
Cross Posted at Street Prophets
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Here's the way my story went. After a diagnosis of endometrial & cervical polyps, my doctor and I decided together on a course of treatment to relieve the painful symptoms that were causing me misery each month.
I learned about the procedure, weighed the risks and benefits, and gave informed consent. My insurance covered all the costs except our standard deductible.
We scheduled the surgery, went through the pre-op appointments getting all necessary medical history, blood and urine tests, the usual.
I checked into our local hospital, only 4 miles from my doorstep, at 5:30 am. I was treated with incredible grace and gentleness--my privacy was respected at all turns. I was given a private room for changing. The anesthesiologist and surgical nurses all came in and greeted me warmly, shaking my hand, introducing themselves, and explaining exactly what part they would play in the procedure.
They started an IV that dripped an antibiotic, a sedative, pain medication, and some anti-nausea meds, too. I was "out" before my feet were even up in the stirrups, and have no memories of the procedure. I woke up about 45 minutes later in the recovery room, where pleasant nurses brought me ginger ale and warmed blankets.
An hour or so later I was discharged, escorted out in a wheelchair and soon was home, resting comfortably, with Rx's for pain meds and directions for follow-up care.
Here's what I didn't have to do: Take a mandatory pregnancy test. Drive an incredible distance from my home. Get signed consent from my husband. Receive mandatory counseling that showed me various pictures of my uterus. Pass through protestors. Get any kind of "looks" or negative feedback from passersby, staff, or fellow patients. Be subjected to any kind of patronizing comments or derogatory remarks. Have to tolerate any kind of pain or nausea because all I could receive was local anesthetic. Have my "choice" of surgery questioned, and questioned again.
I am incredibly blessed to be in my current circumstances. My heart goes out to some young woman sitting out there, right now, who knows this is not the right time for her to become a mother, and who is contemplating the exact same medical procedure I had yesterday, but facing a literal long road and more pain, embarrassment, and discomfort than I ever had to deal with for even a moment.
I don't take abortion lightly. I think abortion as a form of birth control should be a measure of last resort. But when two women in America choose an identical medical procedure, don't you think the same high standard of care should apply to both?