#patronsaintofsmartasses

[angryladies]

Hey this is one of the least informed posts I have ever seen on this godforsaken website, but I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you’ve been fed a shitload of propaganda re: Planned Parenthood and have no information about the actual services that they provide. Just so you know, PP does literally ALL of the things you mentioned in this post. Here’s some information for you:

FERTILITY AWARENESS: 

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/fertility-awareness

They have a whole page about this birth control method on their website? Where they clearly lay out what it is and how to use it and its effectiveness rate? I’m not quite sure why you think they refuse to talk abut it when the Planned Parenthood website is literally the first thing that comes up when you google “fertility awareness birth control”, but hey.

PRENATAL CARE:

 https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/prenatal-care/where-can-i-get-prenatal-care 

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-hudson-peconic/patient-resources/prenatal-care

 https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-rocky-mountains/patient-resources/prenatal-plus-program

http://www.snopes.com/planned-parenthood-prenatal-care/

“If you don’t have health insurance, you may be able to get low-cost or free prenatal care from Planned Parenthood".

“You may be eligible for FREE prenatal care through the Medicaid for Pregnant Women program offered at PPHP medical centers”. 

“In California alone, we found 13 Planned Parenthood clinics that advertise prenatal services. Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP), which operates health centers in Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland counties, New York, provides prenatal care in 6 of their 10 health centers.We also found that many of the Planned Parenthood clinics that do not provide prenatal care services do nonetheless state they offer resources to assist those in need of finding such care: ‘If you choose to continue a pregnancy, we will provide you with a list of resources to help you obtain prenatal care.’”

ADOPTION SERVICES: 

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/considering-adoption

“Many family planning clinics (including your local Planned Parenthood health center) have specially trained staff that can give you accurate information about all your options and other resources. The staff at your local Planned Parenthood can also refer you to adoption agencies or other resources in your area”.

MAMMOGRAMS:

 http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2015/aug/21/alliance-defending-freedom/numbers-right-mammogram-claim-missing-context/

Planned Parenthood cannot administer mammograms themselves, as mammograms are required to be administered at a licensed radiology facility (this is true, just, like, across the board  – you will need to go to a radiologist for a mammogram regardless of who your primary care physician is or where you get your breast exams). HOWEVER, saying that Planned Parenthood doesn’t help people get mammograms is a lie, given that they provide breast exams, referrals to mammogram specialists, and financial assistance for mammograms to people in need:

“Planned Parenthood provided 487,029 breast exams or breast care services in 2013, the most recent year available. Based on those clinical exams and a doctor assessing risk factors, the group refers patients for mammograms and/or specialist follow-ups for procedures such as biopsies and, in some cases, financial assistance”.

INFERTILITY: 

http://plannedparenthoodfertility.org/index.html

Planned Parenthood LITERALLY has a program called Fertility First Steps for people who need help identifying the causes of their infertility oh my god did you even bother googling these issues, like, at all:

“Fertility First Steps is a program for women and men who’ve been trying to conceive for at least 6 months. We evaluate possible reasons for infertility with initial diagnostic services, including: consultation with a nurse practitioner fertility specialist; testing for both women and men, including evaluation of fallopian tubes and semen analysis; referrals to partnering physicians specializing in advanced fertility treatments; All test, labs, and office visits are offered at Planned Parenthood’s discounted rates. If you are uninsured, you may qualify for state funding to cover a portion of the testing.

BREASTFEEDING:

http://www.getwic.org/breastfeeding/

Planned Parenthood has a program called WIC (women, infants, and children) that provides education and resources for those who are pregnant or who have recently had a child. 

“Services provided:

-Trained certified lactation educators onsite -Lactation consultants -One-on-one personalized breastfeeding education and support -Individual and group classes for prenatal and breastfeeding moms -Routine follow-up calls to breastfeeding moms -Breastfeeding Warm Line -Electric breast pumps -Referrals”

RAPE CRISIS: 

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/bullying-safety-privacy/sexual-assault-abuse-rape

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-mohawk-hudson/rape-crisis-sexual-assault-services

“Medical care is important after a sexual assault. You can go to the emergency room or go to your nearest Planned Parenthood health center.

The doctors and nurses who take care of people after sexual assault are usually specially trained. They know how to be gentle, caring, and sensitive. They will:

-Examine you to see if you were harmed in any way -Give you medical care that may include emergency contraception (if there is a risk of pregnancy), tests for STDs, and medicine to help prevent HIV (post-exposure prophylactics). -Collect evidence, so you have the option to press charges if you decide that’s right for you. Evidence might include semen, hair, or skin cells from the person who assaulted you”.

“Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson offers free and confidential help for Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Services and their families. Call our 24-hr hotline for crisis counseling and advocacy. We can give you support at the hospital, police station, throughout police and court proceedings, and your recovery. If you or someone you know is in need help, call our 24-Hour Hotline. All hotline numbers listed by county below. Whether the assault was 10 minutes or 10 years ago, we're here to support you.

As for being pregnant, Planned Parenthood can help in any of the ways I’ve already mentioned in this post, as well as by offering safe & legal abortion procedures! Which yes, a 14 year old may not want to have a baby!!!! Believe it or not that might not be safe, physically or mentally!!

BIRTHING CLASSES:

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-nassau-county/newsroom/planned-parenthood-nassau-county-receives-community-service-award-prenatal-program

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-michigan/healthcare/prenatal-program

“For the past 20 years, PPNC's prenatal program has provided low-income, uninsured women with general health education, information about childbirth and parenting, one-on-one counseling from certified social workers and nutritional guidance, as well as free prenatal vitamins, flu shots and Lamaze classes--all at no cost”.

“Our prenatal program services include:

-family planning counseling -well-woman exams -preconception counseling -prenatal care -education on nutrition, exercise, labor and birth, parenting, breast feeding, and baby care -labor support and management -assistance during your baby’s birth -care after your baby’s birth”

It’s true that not every planned Parenthood Clinic will provide all of these services, and that services provided can vary from clinic to clinic. That’s a direct result of: 1) the clinics being underfunded and overworked, and 2) restrictive state laws that limit what Planned Parenthood can do. It’s no surprise that clinics in California, a state that has historically supported and funded Planned Parenthood, lead the pack in terms of consistently offering these services. The solution is to give PP MORE funding and legislative support, not less! 

I know Planned Parenthood is a convenient boogeyman for you, but they really, truly do help hundreds of thousands of people each year. Please try to look past the fear-mongering and do some research into the actual programs and services that they provide.

[all-the-other-humans]

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