Interviewer: Are there any consistent myths that you’ve heard before Roe was overturned or after? Or is there anything completely new that’s come up where you’re like, “This is completely ridiculous”?

Anonymous M.D.: “If I have an abortion will I be able to get pregnant again?” I hear that not infrequently. But the one that comes to mind is based in religion. “Is God going to be upset with me?””I feel like I’m killing my baby and will God forgive me?” I’m not a religious person, so I try to sit in their shoes if I was religious and a lot of the patients that I’ve seen are religious, so I’m sure that’s very disturbing to them. So I just listen and I also say something to the effect of, “You know, God is a very loving, caring person, and God is going to support you in whatever decision you make,” something to that effect. But I would say that’s the most common one. “Will I be able to get pregnant again?” is probably the other. And then also, we’ve had a few people over time who were concerned that their family would reject them. They’re scary myths. We help them when they’re struggling with parental rejection, and we have always plugged people into therapists if that’s needed. It’s hard enough to make these horribly painful decisions to then have these myths or worries on top of it. The stigma is still very clear. I will say, “Who do you have for your support?” “Well, nobody knows.” “Well, you don’t have anyone you can talk to that will support you in your decision?” On occasion they’ll say “No, I don’t.” And that’s horrible to have these people feel so cut off and alone while they’re facing this very difficult decision. On occasion we’ll have women whose partners are not supporting their decision and sometimes they’re concerned about abusive behaviors so they come in on their own. Their partner is not aware what’s going on. There’s just so many issues that women have to be confronted with, all on top of having to terminate.