If I was being taken to the hospital for a non-reproductive emergency and the paramedic asked me when my last period was, I would ask for a different ambulance.
They do it to determine whether someone could be pregnant because if they give you any drugs that could harm a foetus they could be sued. It’s an important question for all parties’ safety.
The last period has little to do with whether someone is pregnant. Why not just ask if someone is pregnant? Would they not give me those drugs if I was unconscious in case it harms a surprise baby? Furthermore, if I’m in rough enough shape to need an ambulance I should hope saving my life comes first, before a pregnancy I might not be aware of, and might not even want.
They’re not going ask if someone is actively dying obviously, but if they’re in a position where they can ask those questions and the patient is able to answer then they could be seen as liable for a miscarriage if they don’t ask and they give something harmful.
It’s about protecting themselves. For example, I was a man working in childcare and I always had to be careful with my interactions with children and to minimise the times I was ever alone with a child as much as possible, because people can and will assume the worst about men in a position of power over children. So I can understand people doing everything in their power to protect themselves, even if they have to ask questions other people may be annoyed by.
It still doesn’t change the fact that the last period date has very little to do with whether a woman is pregnant.
Yes, I understand there is a reason for it borne of a clusterfuck of policy, lack of reproductive education and little respect for women’s autonomy over their own bodies. That’s what the meme is making fun of in the first place.
I live in a country with less restrictive policies on women and get by just fine without being asked this question.
If I was being taken to the hospital for a non-reproductive emergency and the paramedic asked me when my last period was, I would ask for a different ambulance.
They do it to determine whether someone could be pregnant because if they give you any drugs that could harm a foetus they could be sued. It’s an important question for all parties’ safety.
The last period has little to do with whether someone is pregnant. Why not just ask if someone is pregnant? Would they not give me those drugs if I was unconscious in case it harms a surprise baby? Furthermore, if I’m in rough enough shape to need an ambulance I should hope saving my life comes first, before a pregnancy I might not be aware of, and might not even want.
They’re not going ask if someone is actively dying obviously, but if they’re in a position where they can ask those questions and the patient is able to answer then they could be seen as liable for a miscarriage if they don’t ask and they give something harmful.
It’s about protecting themselves. For example, I was a man working in childcare and I always had to be careful with my interactions with children and to minimise the times I was ever alone with a child as much as possible, because people can and will assume the worst about men in a position of power over children. So I can understand people doing everything in their power to protect themselves, even if they have to ask questions other people may be annoyed by.
It still doesn’t change the fact that the last period date has very little to do with whether a woman is pregnant.
Yes, I understand there is a reason for it borne of a clusterfuck of policy, lack of reproductive education and little respect for women’s autonomy over their own bodies. That’s what the meme is making fun of in the first place.
I live in a country with less restrictive policies on women and get by just fine without being asked this question.