Dr. Robyn Schickler, the Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, recently shared insights on counseling patients who may be considering abortions after the six-week mark. With the implementation of Florida’s new abortion ban, it is crucial for healthcare providers to provide comprehensive guidance and support to individuals facing difficult decisions regarding their pregnancies.
Informing patients that Florida does not provide abortion services has been a challenging conversation for Schickler. She often has to refer them to neighboring states that offer such services.
During an interview with ABC News Live, Schickler shared her insights on the recent abortion ban in Florida.
ABC NEWS LIVE: To gain further insights into the recent abortion ban in Florida, we are fortunate to have Dr. Robyn Schickler, Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. We sincerely appreciate your presence, Doctor. Could you shed some light on the discussions you have with patients who visit Planned Parenthood seeking abortions when they are already more than six weeks pregnant?
Having those conversations with patients about the 24-hour waiting period in Florida is always difficult. We have been proactive in initiating these discussions even before today, because there were patients we saw yesterday and the day before who wouldn’t be able to get the abortion before May 1. We are honest with them, letting them know that we cannot provide the abortion in the state of Florida, but we do offer them options. If they still wish to proceed with the abortion, we have patient navigators who can assist them in finding the necessary resources and guiding them to the right place.
SCHICKLER: Absolutely. We offer them suggestions for various clinics located outside of the state. Additionally, if they require any assistance with navigation services, we are more than happy to provide that.
During interviews, it is often discussed that many women may not even realize they are pregnant until they reach the six-week mark. This issue is also encountered in my line of work.
According to Dr. Schickler, when it comes to dating a pregnancy, the starting point is the first day of the last menstrual period. This is also the basis for ultrasound measurements. In the case of someone with a regular menstrual cycle, by the time they miss a period, they are already four weeks into the pregnancy. This leaves them with very little time to realize that they missed their period and seek the necessary care. Six weeks is indeed a very short period of time, and most of Dr. Schickler’s patients are not even aware of their pregnancy until they are at least six weeks along.
According to Schickler, patients facing this situation are experiencing a range of emotions. Some patients are well-informed about the current circumstances, while others are too preoccupied with their daily lives to keep up with the developments. For those who are hearing about it for the first time, it comes as a shock to learn that they will not receive the care they need. Understandably, they feel frustrated and angry. After all, they sought healthcare assistance and now find themselves being turned away, with the added burden of having to travel long distances, sometimes even out of state, to access the necessary care.
According to Schickler, it is anticipated that individuals will opt to proceed with pregnancies that pose significant risks to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This decision may result in an escalation of maternal morbidity, as women will not have the opportunity to intervene prior to experiencing any potential harm, anguish, or distress.
ABC NEWS LIVE: Let’s delve into what lies ahead. There is still much uncertainty, as you mentioned, particularly when it comes to defining the circumstances that endanger a mother’s life. Furthermore, there is an upcoming amendment on the November ballot that aims to restrict the government’s authority. Can you explain the intentions behind this amendment?
According to Schickler, the purpose of this amendment is to restore our rights. It aims to ensure that individuals can freely access and receive medical care without government interference. Schickler emphasizes that patients have the right to seek any necessary medical treatment, including abortion, as part of their healthcare needs.