Women's Health Services in Southern US?
September 15, 2012 10:17 PM Subscribe
Please tell me about Women's Health Services in a particular southern state, specifically access to what I will term pharmaceutical termination. Online it looks bleak. It seems this medication can be ordered online, here. Is ordering online a legit option? Is it safe? Snowflakes inside.
A fews years ago, my roommate was prescribed the medication I'm asking about in California, so I am not asking if the medication itself is safe.
I'm asking if there is a way of obtaining this med in the particular state mentioned in the article I linked to, especially with a doctor's supervision, or if there are none to few options in this particular city.
The article cited seems to say this clinic is operating there, but it is not conclusive.
All state names and clinic names are not in this question, because I know it will appear on google, and I want the info to remain discreet.
I'm disappointed I must be so cagey about this subject in 2012, but the internet indicates this is a sensitive subject in this part of the world.
Thank you for any info. Please use general phrases + links, or just use Memail.
A fews years ago, my roommate was prescribed the medication I'm asking about in California, so I am not asking if the medication itself is safe.
I'm asking if there is a way of obtaining this med in the particular state mentioned in the article I linked to, especially with a doctor's supervision, or if there are none to few options in this particular city.
The article cited seems to say this clinic is operating there, but it is not conclusive.
All state names and clinic names are not in this question, because I know it will appear on google, and I want the info to remain discreet.
I'm disappointed I must be so cagey about this subject in 2012, but the internet indicates this is a sensitive subject in this part of the world.
Thank you for any info. Please use general phrases + links, or just use Memail.
Best answer: Could you just call https://www.plannedparenthood.org/mid-east-tennesee/patients-30418.htm and see if they provide this service?
posted by c'mon sea legs at 10:25 PM on September 15, 2012
posted by c'mon sea legs at 10:25 PM on September 15, 2012
Response by poster: The answers are so swift. I am humbled. Thank you all so much.
More, please!
Of course I will call PPH, did not know they could advise about states they do not appear to operate within!
I'm also deeply saddened I can not ask this question directly.
If no other great options present, anyone with experience relating their experience with ordering the meds online vs. the surgical procedure are very much appreciated.
My friend is a 4 week, if anyone needs to know that.
Thank you.
posted by SockyMcSockyPants at 10:57 PM on September 15, 2012
More, please!
Of course I will call PPH, did not know they could advise about states they do not appear to operate within!
I'm also deeply saddened I can not ask this question directly.
If no other great options present, anyone with experience relating their experience with ordering the meds online vs. the surgical procedure are very much appreciated.
My friend is a 4 week, if anyone needs to know that.
Thank you.
posted by SockyMcSockyPants at 10:57 PM on September 15, 2012
Best answer: The clinical procedure takes about 5-10 minutes (the appointment is, of course, longer), while the medication procedure can have up to 48 hours of bleeding and cramping (potentially passing clots up to the size of a lemon). It's completely up to your friend what feels better for her, but I would pretty much always recommend against doing a medical procedure without medical supervision. Especially because PP does operate in TN...
posted by c'mon sea legs at 11:24 PM on September 15, 2012
posted by c'mon sea legs at 11:24 PM on September 15, 2012
Best answer: does the person who needs the procedure have insurance? have they tried asking their gynecologist? it's my impression that some provide the medication you're looking for in a quiet manner.
posted by nadawi at 12:15 AM on September 16, 2012
posted by nadawi at 12:15 AM on September 16, 2012
Best answer: It really sux to live in a state with so little support. For my last procedure, I made it a weekend trip to a much more blue, northern state. Hands down it was easier to drive than it was to deal with all that in my bible belt state (way further south than yours).
And, in my life (over the course of about 15 years), I have tried surgical without anesthesia, the medical pill, and surgical with twilight anesthesia. The worst experience, by far, was the medical option. As stated above, it is drawn out (to put it lightly). The stuff you see coming out is pretty gross. And the prices for the procedures are pretty comparable. I would recommend the surgical option to women every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Without twilight, it can be pretty painful, but it's just easier.
Good luck to you and your friend.
posted by socky mcsockerton at 1:37 AM on September 16, 2012
And, in my life (over the course of about 15 years), I have tried surgical without anesthesia, the medical pill, and surgical with twilight anesthesia. The worst experience, by far, was the medical option. As stated above, it is drawn out (to put it lightly). The stuff you see coming out is pretty gross. And the prices for the procedures are pretty comparable. I would recommend the surgical option to women every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Without twilight, it can be pretty painful, but it's just easier.
Good luck to you and your friend.
posted by socky mcsockerton at 1:37 AM on September 16, 2012
Best answer: Before ordering online, please think very carefully about the information in these two links, as they point to things that you really can't do at home:
1 (note the word "later" because that's why it's important in this case)
2 (link unfortunately doesn't show the question; scroll up one notch to see that the question starts with "where" and addresses one of the important points in your follow-up comment about timing)
With a 13-hour drive, your friend could be in Dallas if all else fails.
posted by Houstonian at 1:52 AM on September 16, 2012
1 (note the word "later" because that's why it's important in this case)
2 (link unfortunately doesn't show the question; scroll up one notch to see that the question starts with "where" and addresses one of the important points in your follow-up comment about timing)
With a 13-hour drive, your friend could be in Dallas if all else fails.
posted by Houstonian at 1:52 AM on September 16, 2012
Best answer: I don't know about the legitimacy of being able to order this online, but I would definitely recommend against it. There is a failure rate of around 95-97% for medical termination even at an early stage of pregnancy, and there can be serious complications like hemorrhage, infection, etc that can even be life threatening. Please do this under the care of a physician.
And by the way, I think it is important to point out that your link is only to a website selling one of the medications used for medical termination. The 95-97% figure is for the use of that medication along with a second medication, both are needed. MeMail me if you want more information. I am keeping specific words out of this posting as you requested, but I actually do not think this level of secrecy is necessary when you post something from a sock puppet account on a random internet set - relax a bit!
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:09 AM on September 16, 2012
And by the way, I think it is important to point out that your link is only to a website selling one of the medications used for medical termination. The 95-97% figure is for the use of that medication along with a second medication, both are needed. MeMail me if you want more information. I am keeping specific words out of this posting as you requested, but I actually do not think this level of secrecy is necessary when you post something from a sock puppet account on a random internet set - relax a bit!
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:09 AM on September 16, 2012
Best answer: With the more-common combination, it has a success rate of 95% - 98%, dropping only as low as 77% if you are at 9 weeks. Sources: 1, 2, 3.
posted by Houstonian at 7:25 AM on September 16, 2012
posted by Houstonian at 7:25 AM on September 16, 2012
Best answer: I can't speak to services in Chattanooga, but Knoxville is about an hour and a half up I-75 and is home to the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health. I do not know for certain if they prescribe misoprostol, but it would be worth a phone call.
Knoxville is a small blue dot in a large red state.
posted by workerant at 8:58 AM on September 16, 2012
Knoxville is a small blue dot in a large red state.
posted by workerant at 8:58 AM on September 16, 2012
Best answer: Atlanta is approximately two hours away from your friend's location. PP here offers the services you describe (at all ATL-area centers except downtown), as do other providers in the area: 1, 2, 3. PP Southeast also operates centers in Knoxville and Birmingham that may suit, if those happen to be easier drives than coming down here.
posted by catlet at 1:40 PM on September 16, 2012
posted by catlet at 1:40 PM on September 16, 2012
Best answer: Whoops, sorry - misread the question and thought you were asking on a friend's behalf.
Note that PP only offers medication here, but their Web site says "Call us for a referral list of health care providers in your area" (I am looking at the Cobb County office's page). That may be another option for you; I expect that people across north Georgia and southeastern TN call them for that information frequently, since that region doesn't have a lot of options for various kinds of health care.
posted by catlet at 1:46 PM on September 16, 2012
Note that PP only offers medication here, but their Web site says "Call us for a referral list of health care providers in your area" (I am looking at the Cobb County office's page). That may be another option for you; I expect that people across north Georgia and southeastern TN call them for that information frequently, since that region doesn't have a lot of options for various kinds of health care.
posted by catlet at 1:46 PM on September 16, 2012
Best answer: ooh yes, I am glad that Houstonian corrected my typo - that was a key point. I meant to say success rate!! Apologies, how embarrassing! My point was supposed to be that it is most often successful but that there is still a non-negligible risk of failure or complication.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 2:51 PM on September 16, 2012
posted by treehorn+bunny at 2:51 PM on September 16, 2012
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I'm so sorry that ignorance and politics are making your situation any more difficult than it already is.
posted by decathecting at 10:24 PM on September 15, 2012 [2 favorites]