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Southern BY MERRY BATEMAN Of'Tbe Gamecock staff The six women were called into the room. The roomed filled with an atmosphere of fright, ap prehension, anxiety. I' am sick and disturbed. I am here becase of my parents. If they knew, they would disown me. I just don't feel right," a 19-year old woman said. "1 am scared. There is not a real word for It." another woman said. "After today I don't ever want to see any of you again." "Is It going to hurt? . Pain frightens me. I wish I could fall asleep and wake to find It over," an older woman stumbled out. 1 feel comfortable about being; here, nervous though. I'd hate to have a child I didn't want. I have nothing to offer It," a woman commented. The other two women remained silent and listened while the others communicated what they were feeling. The six women could be any of the hundreds of women who have abortions performed in Columbia every week. These are some of the GAME The Gamecock is the official-st of South Carolina and is published Thursdays. during the .fall and sp during the summer by the USC I munications. Opinions expressed in The Gamece thse of the University of South ( Change of address forms, sul correspondence should be sent to' Columbia. 292. Subscription rat4 the summer sessions. Second class postage paid at c Women 's 'SWS doesn't u h is by no meanj We se repsons why women say they feel sadand depressed about having an abortion even though it is now easy to get. For most it is frightening to take control of their bodies instead of letting fate decide. While women feel relief and happiness in ridding themselves of such a burden, they also feel guilt. Emotional support is needed. Feelings must be brought out, as with those six women sitting in their pre-abortion counseling session. Prior to the legalization of abortion in South Carolina in 1973, women did not know where to turn (X)CK lent newspaper of the University I twice weekly, on Mondays and ring semester and once. a week Board of Publications and com k are those of the editors. and not arolba. scription requests and other he Gamecock. Drawer A. USC. s are $3 per semester and $2 for dumbia, S.C. 4 11 XIAW Servtces Abortion agency ant to see women comi or another abortion. i a good method of birt Rk to educate women.' for 'health care needs. Many feared a run in with un symphathetic, intimidating doctors or others did not know where to go to get the kind of care they needed. In August, i973, Linda Drilling opened Southern Womens Services (SWS), a physicians facility for the ter mination of pregnancy in Columbia. She came to Columbia with the experience and background from New York clinics, basing SWS on similar programs. "Terminating a pregnancy is not just a surgical procedure. It in volves a psychological strain," Drilling said. "While we maintain the highest degree of medical and psychological care, SWS's main interest is the patient herself. So the emotional well being is just as important as the physical care a patient receives." At SWS, the patient will be ad mitted and discharged within a five-hour period. The patient will have lab work to confirm the pregnancy along with tests on blood, for venereal disease and sickle cell. Group counseling is provided before and after the procedure. The abortion procedure lasts 10 minutes. After being checked in the recovery room and going through coun C ..The perfect gi me. He's got to Won't your whatyoumaycall ture of you for Right now you c Christmas ofi Photography Sta oupon below.. works to relieve ps) ig back controL m Linda Drilling seling, the patient is discharged. The most important phase in the abortion procedure is the coun seling. During the pre-operative counseling, each patient is in terviewed and counseled as to the actual procedure. The patients are treated with sensitivity and a respect that will allow them to maintain their dignity. The post operative counseling allows the woman to ventilate her experiences and review in structions to follow. She discusses birth control and is helped to select a desired method of contraception for the future. "SWS doesn't want to see women coming back for another abortion. It is by no means a good method of birth control. We seek to educate women," Drilling said. "Seventy five per cent were not on birth control upon coming to us. Eighty five per cent became birth-control users when leaving us." An abortion at SWS for those up to 12 weeks of pregnancy costs $175. A sliding scale .has been worked out for those in severe financial situations. For those over 12 weeks of pregnancy, SWS maintains referrals to hospitals. Governor John C. West signed into law what is commonly known as "The Anderson Bill" on-July 18, 1974. The act provides for and Hi ... I'm Ms. Santa Claus. Just like you, I've been looking for that perfect gift to give my old man ... Santa. [ft ... a picture of like it. ...er, ah bim want a pie Xmas this year? n get in on the big er at George die by using the 5x7 Color CHOICE 0 PLUS $.50 HAND] Wiah presenitation 4 GEORGE PHOTO( 1226 Laurel St. Offer good N rchological strains controls legalized abortion in South Carolina. Drilling pointed out the aspects that pertain to patient eligibility at SWS. "We can accept unmarried women over the age of 16 during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy without parental consent. We no longer need a husband's consent. The average age of our patients is between 16 and 20." "In facing the growing pains -of being new women, free and strong in control of their bodies, Womens Education Services (WES) was developed as a larger body of SWS," according to Drilling. Genie Skypek, a psychologist and Director of Social Services with SWS, is expanding WES. "WES is a non-profit organization. The possibility of what we can expand into is exciting and really hard to comprehend to its size at this point," Skypek said. "We are working with with the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Organization of Women chapter, Womens Equity Action League and other women's groups. Our goal is to focus on women and to gear to their needs." WES has made plans for af firmative action consultation, consciousness raising, rape counseling, abortion counseling, special interest workshops, speakers collective and referral for all types of counseling and legal aid. "In essence this will be a type of women's center. It will depend upon demand. We will have our plans materialized by January, if not sooner. Men are encouraged to get men's groups oirganized here," Skypek mentioned. Portrait. P POSES B 2ING CHARGES ,f this coupon at R APHIC CORP 254-4288 ivember 19-23.