For 5 years in the early 80's near Seattle. The first thing after the medical history was a pelvic exam to determine the gestation of the pregnancy. It was standard practice. Some women have very irregular menses, and can be off in terms of how far along she is. Measuring the size of the uterus via pelvic exam gives a good idea as to gestational age.
Another reason to examine is to determine the position of the uterus in relation to the cervix, which helps determine instrument placement. It can lie to front of pelvis, to the back or in the middle. Important info for the procedure.

Gblady the problem here is in the years that you worked chemical abortions were not really a thing. Now they are and the pelvic requirement is now being used as an assault to woman's rights. The ACOG does not recommend pelvics prior to an abortion by medicine and these laws make no distinction between the different procedures. In MO in particular the exams are done and then the 72hr waiting period begins. I could see these being done immediately prior to an abortion that is not chemical but to require for both is medically unnecessary and I am sure that placement for instruments is done if its not chemical and that means a woman is then put through two if them.

There really is no medical reason for it except they are cruel assholes.

to sway them not to have the abortion. Texas has a similar law.

Thanks for your response.

It may have changed now but in 2005, Ultra sound was done and followed by a 5 day waiting period.

I really think the men doing this get some sort of satisfaction?? out of talking about women in this way. It seems like a way to talk and think about women's "lady parts'.
I can't imagine they care about all this in a real way.
It is sadistic too.

Yes pols in MO might need a kick in the nuts. Actually, not might.. they do. A very hard kick.

Was watching it this week. In the beginning it started little by little, first women had to get husbands signature for birth control, then it got worse and worse.

These people sit around and strategize about these things. Nothing is too humiliating, too cruel, too idiotic to use in their will to dominate women. They disguise it as concern for the unborn though because that sells. It’s prurient. Dirty minded fun.

There is no medical reason for the exam and the doctors hate doing it. It is strictly punitive.

Some from having an abortion.

if not impossible, to get. This comes on top of a mandatory 3-day waiting period and the state's unwillingness to renew the licence for the last abortion provider in the state.

It honestly wouldn't surprise me. In fact, I'm sure there ARE some. (All Devout Christians, of course!)

Doctors have objected to this policy. It’s the politicians who aim to shame women....let’s be clear on that.

...dedicated professionals who literally put their own lives at risk every day. Look up Dr. Tiller -- he was only one of many gunned down.

They’re being made to perform an invasive technique for no medical reason. They are protesting loudly.

They probably get hat-racks just thinking about it.

I'm sure "they" are giggling and coming up with more obstacles. These are concentration camp guards in training.

to further discourage and punish them, and to force the doctors to do something they don't want to do and that actually violates their medical oath. If they do the exams they are inflicting an unnecessary, uncomfortable and invasive procedure on their patients; if they don't, the clinic will be shut down - and the state is looking for any excuse, any small violation, to shut down the clinic.'

There is a special place in Hell for the Missouri GOP.

Doing these unnecessary exams eats up time they have to actually do abortion procedures.

... every time they go to the optometrist, dentist, or get a haircut ... medically speaking.

What’s “good” for the goose...

They can fancy it up all they want, but that is it. Because they can.