Post-Roe, Planned Parenthood Trains Clinicians To Meet New Demand

Two clinicians at New Haven’s Planned Parenthood used a ripe papaya last week to practice a procedure they’re now legally allowed to conduct under a new state law: surgical abortions.

That was among the information Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz learned during a visit Thursday to the Whitney Avenue Planned Parenthood New Haven headquarters.

She paid the visit to obtain a firsthand look at how the Connecticut Reproductive Freedom Defense Act — passed in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade — is playing out on the ground. 

The act was signed in on May 5, 2022. It removed restrictions for qualified advanced practice clinicians (APCs) to provide aspiration (surgical suction) abortions to patients. (APCs were previously allowed to administer medication abortions and other procedures such as placing IUDs and gynecological exams.) The act legally protects medical providers and patients traveling to Connecticut to obtain abortions.

Planned Parenthood Chief Medical Officer Nancy Stanwood reported that she is teaching her first cohort of APCs how to perform aspiration abortion, including last week’s lesson practicing the procedure on a ripe papaya, which is similar in appearance to a first trimester pregnancy.

Planned Parenthood New Haven has already seen well-resourced patients traveling from Texas. By increasing the number of clinicians who are licensed and trained in performing aspiration abortions, the agency aims to decrease its current two-week waiting period for patients seeking abortions.

“We are paying attention to the ripple effect,” Stanwood said. ​“We’re working in real time to build a deep bench of abortion providers for when the ripple comes closer.” 

The Reach Fund of Connecticut is helping raise money to distribute to state clinics to pay for abortion care for patients who cannot afford the entire cost. 

Stanwood offered a ​“4Ds” list of ways people can help: ​“Donate, Destigmatize, Document, and Don’t give up.”

“People need a call to action,” she said. 

Plans are in the works for helping patients avoid copays and helping immigrants obtain state HUSKY insurance for abortions.

Another goal is to legalize medical abortions through telehealth visits, which would especially help patients in rural areas far from the 14 Connecticut Planned Parenthood locations get access to safe abortions.

Thursday’s conversation with Bysiewicz was held in the clinic’s recovery room. Stanwood beckoned around the room at the end. ​“Most patients spend 30 minutes in here, eat juice and crackers, and then move on with their lives,” she said. ​“And as they leave, we know that we helped them.”