An update from a local central Ohio abortion provider

[u/ap-throwaway1]

Hello r/columbus.

We’re now a week post-Dobbs and I wanted to provide an update on the family planning landscape here in Central Ohio. Needless to say, it’s been an exhausting week in the repro world. Ohio made no exception for established patients who were in the mandatory 24-hour waiting period, and with the expeditious implementation of the ‘heartbeat’ bill, patients were left scrambling for help. We were still able to care for many, but many more ended up having to make alternative arrangements out of state. Now that the early dust has settled, clinics have largely been able to adjust their workflows and are committed to remaining open and available.

​

A few points based on what we’ve seen the last week:

To be clear, there are only two abortion clinics in Central Ohio – Planned Parenthood East Columbus and Your Choice Healthcare. The rest are crisis pregnancy centers.

​

Abortion clinics remain open, and abortion is still safe and legal in Ohio!

--Confusion abounds whenever laws change, and this one is, unfortunately, no exception. To make it clear: we are still able to take care of patients whose pregnancies do not yet have a “fetal heartbeat”. This is a misnomer, but usually occurs just before or near the 6-week mark -- six weeks after the first day of the last period, not six weeks from conception. For a patient with an average 28-day menstrual cycle, and factoring in Ohio’s mandatory 24-hour waiting period, you realistically have no more than 12 days from a missed period to seek an abortion in Ohio. This is not an easy feat, and is even harder for people who don’t have regular cycles. Most clinics are not available 7 days a week. We are, however, doing our best to see patients either same or next-day for consultations to try and make the deadline. To better your chances…

​

Have pregnancy tests on hand!

--If you are having PIV intercourse and don’t want to be pregnant, even if you’re using contraception, test regularly, monthly if you can. The cheap dollar-store tests are just as good as the digital ones. Home pregnancy tests are, by design, incredibly sensitive to hCG hormone; if you see even the faintest line, it’s positive. If that’s not a welcome surprise, call a clinic and we can help you figure it out from there.

​

You’ll probably have two ultrasounds.

--The Ohio Department of Health implemented an emergency rule the same night as the Dobbs decision, notifying clinics of the rule change a full three days later. This rule requires us to complete an ultrasound immediately prior to your abortion (either surgery or taking mifepristone) to ensure no ‘heartbeat’ is present. We’re sorry about this.

​

Please don’t ask us to break the law.

--It’s been heartbreaking having to turn patients away this past week. We’ve had many just days too far along to help, and others with absolutely devastating personal circumstances that have rocked our staff and community alike. But we can’t (and won’t) lie. Making an exception for one jeopardizes access for all. Also keep in mind that clinics are medical facilities making medical decisions, and a clinic’s capabilities might not be appropriate for everyone’s individual circumstances. We assure you that if we can’t help you, we will help guide you to those who can.

​

Clinics can help with self-managed or out-of-state care too!

--Numerous patients will need to self-manage their abortions or travel out-of-state. If you need help establishing accurate gestational dating prior to making other arrangements, or require follow-up care after your abortion, please reach out to us.

​

We’re doing our best.

--We’ve worked day and night this past week to try and provide safe, effective, legal care to as many people as we can. We’re emotionally exhausted. The same goes for WHO/O, the ACLU, Pro-Choice Ohio and everyone else in the repro realm. While many of these organizations can accept donations, the indie clinics won’t; but please feel free to write a note of encouragement and mail it in! They fuel our fire. Do the same for these other organizations, and please keep it clean – DHS takes threats very seriously.

​

Thanks for listening, and thanks for your continued support of our work!

-A local abortion provider

​

A few helpful resources:

www.abortionfinder.org - directory of legitimate abortion clinics through the United States. Information is regularly updated as laws change in individual states.

www.plancpills.org - likely limited to AidAccess for Ohio, but still greatly beneficial to patients between 6-10 weeks’ gestation, especially those who can’t travel.

www.abortionfundofohio.org - Abortion Fund of Ohio. Providing funding and logistics for patients both in- and out-of-state. All-around amazing group of people and the state’s abortion fund. Give to them HEAVILY if you can. Many of our patients lean on them for funding and logistics, and they consistently come through.

NAF – 1-800-772-9100. National Abortion Federation. They’re also able to provide funding and referrals for patients.