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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 12, 1993                   TAG: 9302120527
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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WAITING PERIOD AN UNDUE BURDEN

THE 24-HOUR waiting period being considered by our legislators for women who wish abortion services has always been of great interest to us.

At the Roanoke Medical Center for Women, we perform first-trimester abortions. Patients who live in Roanoke and do not have family or work conflicts are asked to come in for their abortion counseling anywhere from one day to two weeks prior to the actual procedure. This pre-counseling is available to all abortion patients.

Counseling consists of ensuring that abortion is the woman's choice, that she knows alternatives to abortion, risks and complications, follow-up care and birth control. Fetal-development pictures are available upon request. A not uncommon response made by women when told a counseling session is required is, "Do I have to? I've already made up my mind."

We pre-counsel about one-third of our patients. The number of women who choose not to terminate their pregnancies is no higher in the pre-counseled group than in the group of patients who are counseled and have abortions in one day.

This is just another example of wasted legislative effort that could cause undue burden on women if enacted.

There will always be a very small percentage of women who regret their decision to terminate. Unfortunately, they are usually quite vocal. However, the vast majority of women want to make the decision for themselves and resent any interference.\ MONA BARRINGER\ MARSHA SCOTT\ Staffers, Roanoke Medical Center for Women\ ROANOKE

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