“The mentorship in OBGYN is huge.
We have to depend on each other; we cannot do this alone.”
The following story extract is from a conversation with an OBGYN mentor and mentee.
Mentee: With COVID we went from heroes—people ringing bells, wearing t-shirts—to “we don’t trust you,” almost overnight. At the ballot initiative unveiling on the Capitol steps, anti-protesters across the street had signs saying “Children are a blessing.” And I thought: I agree. That’s why I do this. Women are a blessing too. But being called a murderer when I start speaking is unkind. When the coalition met with 26 legislators last year, each time we thought, how can we make you trust us? What do you need to hear? But it’s one by one, again and again.
Mentor: One legislator basically said, “If the woman has to die to save the baby, so be it.” That’s crazy. I don’t even know where to begin when women are that devalued.
Mentee: And recognizing this isn’t only about abortion. It’s about whether our health matters at all. I heard a woman’s story about wanting to raise a family in a remote part of Idaho. She miscarried on the side of the road after being sent to another hospital because hers didn’t have an OB. Later, she had to travel five hours for prenatal care because Idaho Medicaid doesn’t work across the border. That’s not just about abortion, that’s about women’s health not penciling out.
Our state doesn’t respect our healthcare. That’s not OK. Why do I stay? I’m not sure.
Patients’ understanding of what’s going on runs the gamut. Some say, “Thank you for staying.” Some don’t believe in abortion. Some are clueless. The ones who totally disagree usually don’t come to us. I’m grateful for my community. I did have a panic attack last fall, but my friends helped me. I worry about other OBGYNs here.
Mentor: OBGYN is already stressful, and this is just one more thing.
Mentee: I want to give every OBGYN a hug.
