Trust Women

Yesterday, I went to the regional conference for Medical Students for Choice in San Francisco.  It was such an inspiring, informative day!

Here are some lingering thoughts I have/things that really stuck out to me:

• Only 4% of women of reproductive age in the US are using long acting reversible contraception (IUD, implant, etc) vs. 20% in Europe.   I wonder why?!  I also think its very interesting that even though the IUD has been found to be safe to use in women who have not yet had children, it is still mainly marketed towards married women who have already had children.  I feel like these long acting reversible contraception methods are an untapped resource.  FYI: the Mirena IUD is more effective at preventing pregnancy than tubal ligation!
• There is much debate over whether contraceptives should be covered in health care reform as a preventative service.  I just don't get why this is even a question?!  Obviously, if you prevent pregnancies with contraception, you will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies... which translates to less abortions and live births, BOTH of which are much more expensive than contraceptives.  For every $1 you spend on contraceptives, you save $9 that would be spent later on.  Regardless of whether you believe women (and men) should have the right to chose when they are ready to become parents, not offering contraceptives as a preventative service is fiscally irresponsible.  
• I also learned a lot about Catholic Health Association, and what kind of ethical guidelines they use in treating patients in Catholic hospitals.  I'm not even going to write any details about this, but let's just say you won't ever find me working in a Catholic hospital.  And if I was pregnant, I would not go to a Catholic hospital because it could cost me my life.
• I love the "Trust Women" silver ribbon campaign.  "The silver ribbon represents science over ideology.  Those who proudly wear it support reproductive rights, free access to birth control, and keeping abortion legal and accessible."  I wear my ribbon proudly on my badge because I trust women.