I decided to do my observation at Planned Parenthood. I chose the clinic located at 201 29th Street, Suite B in downtown Sacramento. ÃÂPlanned Parenthood affiliates provide sexual and reproductive health care, education, and information to five million women, men, and adolescents worldwide each yearÃÂ(Planned Parenthood, 2007). Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of services that include, primary care services, prenatal care, birth control options, cancer screenings, HIV testing and counseling, STD testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, female and male sterilization, and the most controversial service, medical and surgical abortion procedures. Planned Parenthood is open Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturday. They are closed on Sundays, but they stay open until 7pm on Thursdays to accommodate people who work a 9-5 job all week.
As I pulled up to the clinic I noticed many protesters out front right away. They were walking up and down the sidewalk holding up signs about abortions being wrong and they also had large posters with pictures of aborted fetuses.
English: Rep. Albert Wynn (left) joins Gloria Feld...
Planned Parenthood volunteers help bring the fight...
Entrance to the Planned Parenthood Federation of A...As I pulled into the parking lot I was immediately greeted by a woman who told me she would escort me to the door to avoid being harassed by the protesters. She also had loud music playing to help drown out the loud voices of the protesters. I can only assume that some of the clients coming there for help may be scared when faced with the possibility of encountering the protesters. Ultimately the clinic has no control over the protesters, so it is a very nice service to provide an escort for their patients.
As I walked in I saw the receptionist area behind what appeared to be bulletproof glass. There were two separate waiting areas, one on each side of the check in window. I walked to...