Casey came into the school based health clinic crying. She was three weeks late for her period. She was so scared she was pregnant. She had been having sex with her boyfriend for about two months, and the last couple of times she wasn’t sure he put a condom on.

It had been about three weeks since they last had sex. She wasn’t on any birth control. I did the best counseling I could, given the state restriction NOT to discuss abortion, and performed the pregnancy test. It was negative.

I counseled her on contraception but informed her I couldn’t give her anything at the school clinic. I gave her several options, including our other adolescent medicine clinics. We made an appointment, and she called her Mom, who was supportive but would have to drive her. She was scheduled to come see me on Friday and get an IUD. Friday came and went, no Casey…