Missouri lawmakers continue their trend of enacting laws that restrict women’s rights and choices. Just last month, the state Senate approved a bill that bans abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy, joining several other states in implementing some of the most stringent abortion regulations in the U.S. Now, women seeking abortions in Missouri must also undergo a pelvic exam 72 hours before the procedure.
Currently, only one abortion clinic remains operational in Missouri, the Planned Parenthood in St. Louis, which is facing legal challenges to keep its services available. The uncertainty for doctors and staff at this clinic is palpable, and the new regulations imposed by Republican lawmakers add further strain.
Concerns from Medical Professionals
During a segment on MSNBC, Dr. Emma Rivers from St. Louis Planned Parenthood shed light on the implications of the pelvic exam requirement. “The exam involves inserting fingers and instruments into the vagina, which does not provide any relevant medical information,” Dr. Rivers stated. “It’s unnecessary and only serves to humiliate women seeking safe medical care.” Typically, pelvic exams are not part of prenatal care until later in pregnancy, with initial Pap smears being the only common practice early on.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pelvic exams should be conducted only when there’s a clear medical indication and through mutual agreement between the patient and her healthcare provider. Dr. James Harlow, the medical director at St. Louis Planned Parenthood, expressed concern over the new law, stating, “I’ve become an unwitting instrument of governmental overreach, forced to conduct a pelvic exam that’s not clinically warranted.”
Emotional Toll on Patients
Kara Simmons, the clinic’s director of surgical services, recounted a distressing incident involving a patient facing a difficult decision due to severe fetal abnormalities. “She completely broke down during the exam,” Simmons recalled, emphasizing the emotional toll such policies impose on women already in distress. It’s disheartening to see laws that seem designed to strip women of their autonomy and dignity.
As Dr. Rivers pointedly remarked, “Patients are essentially being asked to endure a state-sanctioned invasion of their privacy just to access necessary healthcare.”
Additional Resources
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Conclusion
In summary, Missouri’s new requirement for pelvic exams before abortions adds an unnecessary layer of stress and humiliation for women. With only one clinic remaining in the state, the fight for reproductive rights continues amid a backdrop of increasingly restrictive legislation.