Jane often comes to the emergency room. She does not have a family and lives in a group home. She is a victim of sex trafficking, and has been seen in the emergency room multiple times after being sexually assaulted.

During one of her visits, we did a pregnancy test, and it was positive. I discussed her options with her, including continuing her pregnancy or having an abortion, and she wanted to have an abortion.

I gave her a list of abortion providers in the area and helped her make an appointment with our teen clinic so that she could be closely followed.

Thankfully, we live in California, where a minor does not have to get parental consent for an abortion. This is not the case in states like Texas, Missouri, and many others. My patient was able to get an abortion and had an IUD placed after, which will prevent her from unintended pregnancy for the next five years and hopefully allow her to finish high school.