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The View from the Clinic: One Nurse’s Journey in Abortion Care
Walk through the doors of an abortion clinic in this powerful memoir from a nurse who has been there.
Abortion is an emotionally charged topic. Morality, social justice, religion, and law have transformed an intimately personal medical choice into an intensely collective debate.
But behind the heated rhetoric are the very real stories of women who have felt alone, scared, and helpless. There are also the stories of the people who work at the clinics. It’s time to remove politics from the conversation in the United States and shine a light on the multifaceted medical and personal experiences from the inside.
Throughout her nearly four-decades-long nursing career, Patrice D’Amato has seen the most diverse cross section of the human population inside abortion clinics. A compassionate mosaic memoir, The View from the Clinic normalizes and humanizes abortion through the experiences of patients, families, and staff inside a clinic—from the eyes and heart of a nurse who worked there.
You’ll discover:
A transparent, clinical perspective into the medical and sociocultural facets of abortion services in America, including why abortion is a necessary reproductive health procedure.
Common myths—and the truth—about the long-term effects of abortions on women’s health.
What happens during an appointment to terminate a pregnancy, whether through surgery or an abortion pill.
The fascinating history of birth control before Roe—and how abortion was a highly visible, accepted aspect of sexual health in American culture for our not-so-distant ancestors.
Stories of patients’ paths to abortion, from a headstrong pregnant teen to a heartbroken, miscarrying mom.
Whether an abortion is a choice you are faced with or you carry the mental and emotional weight from the past, know you’re not alone. Pull the exam room curtain aside, and journey into a new perspective of abortion with The View from the Clinic.
Abortion is an emotionally charged topic. Morality, social justice, religion, and law have transformed an intimately personal medical choice into an intensely collective debate.
But behind the heated rhetoric are the very real stories of women who have felt alone, scared, and helpless. There are also the stories of the people who work at the clinics. It’s time to remove politics from the conversation in the United States and shine a light on the multifaceted medical and personal experiences from the inside.
Throughout her nearly four-decades-long nursing career, Patrice D’Amato has seen the most diverse cross section of the human population inside abortion clinics. A compassionate mosaic memoir, The View from the Clinic normalizes and humanizes abortion through the experiences of patients, families, and staff inside a clinic—from the eyes and heart of a nurse who worked there.
You’ll discover:
A transparent, clinical perspective into the medical and sociocultural facets of abortion services in America, including why abortion is a necessary reproductive health procedure.
Common myths—and the truth—about the long-term effects of abortions on women’s health.
What happens during an appointment to terminate a pregnancy, whether through surgery or an abortion pill.
The fascinating history of birth control before Roe—and how abortion was a highly visible, accepted aspect of sexual health in American culture for our not-so-distant ancestors.
Stories of patients’ paths to abortion, from a headstrong pregnant teen to a heartbroken, miscarrying mom.
Whether an abortion is a choice you are faced with or you carry the mental and emotional weight from the past, know you’re not alone. Pull the exam room curtain aside, and journey into a new perspective of abortion with The View from the Clinic.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2022
About the author
Patrice D'Amato
1 book13 followersPatrice D’Amato has spent 38 years as a practicing nurse in both clinical and academic settings with a focus on adult medical surgical, critical care, gerontology, and women’s health. After practicing as a women’s health nurse practitioner in abortion care more than 20 years ago, she left clinical practice to teach nursing at the university level.
An award-winning educator, Patrice has served as a university course director for a top-ranked school of nursing. She also serves as a project director for an international health organization dedicated to providing education opportunities in developing countries.
Patrice’s passion for nursing started early in childhood as she saw the deep pride and satisfaction her mom and grandmother derived from the early era of professional nursing. She feels fortunate to have been able to delve into a variety of specialties to witness and support people through birth, death, and everything in between. Patrice’s love of both science and spirituality, and how they intersect in the natural world, has guided her to teach and mentor students for many years. She also immensely enjoys a good laugh from her fondness of the world’s quirks and reminders not to take herself or anyone else too seriously.
Born in New York, Patrice now lives in Maryland. In her free time, she volunteers as a hospice singer and teaches conversational English in Spanish-speaking countries such as Spain and Peru. She is an avid Zumba enthusiast, hiker, and lover of historical fiction. Connect with her on Twitter @patricedamato or theviewfromtheclinic.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 16, 2022
What perfect timing to have this book emerge as our society grapples with the loss of abortion rights in parts of our country. Ms. D'Amato writes to share her experiences and feelings of working in abortion care and is careful not to choose sides in this ongoing debate. She shares general stories of memorable situations and patients. It was, at times, difficult to concentrate as so much of what I was reading reminds me of people and situations that I have known in my somewhat long-term life. This is a definite recommendation to those who empathize with both sides of this issue and seek additional information.
My thanks to the author, Patrice D'Amato, and the publisher, Fan Blade Publishing, for my e copy of this book which I received through a Goodreads Giveaway.
My thanks to the author, Patrice D'Amato, and the publisher, Fan Blade Publishing, for my e copy of this book which I received through a Goodreads Giveaway.
October 14, 2022
#medicalnonfiction
A personal view from inside the women's healthcare system.
The View from the Clinic: One Nurse's Journey in Abortion Care by Patrice D'Amato is a 'compassionate mosaic memoir,' as the author labels it, presenting medical cases and giving an overview of clinical procedures during an abortion.
The book talks about the practical side of abortion, one of the hottest topics that have been making headlines in America. The author, a former nurse practitioner, gently and with great kindness introduces the readers to what a process of abortion looks like: why it takes so long to wait for an abortion, what nurses can or can't do, and what pro-life protesters do to stop the procedure. Though briefly, the book also touches on the history of abortion (and, to my surprise, initially, the Church wasn't against it) and the deficiencies in sex education in modern schools. All this is intertwined with personal recollections of the author's way in the healthcare system.
Unfortunately, long sentences and slow pacing made reading Part One a tedious task. As the author admits multiple times throughout the text, she strays to the side. I appreciated the informative chapters; I waited and waited for the medical cases to come, as in 'ordinary' medical nonfiction, one chapter - one patient's story. Especially after reading the previous memoir of an ER doctor, who examined his patients as storytellers and built his memoirs on philosophy, I wanted the book's language to be sharper, without the additional 'water' that we can see in this example:
That said, although it is important to remember and respect time-honored practices that allow women to explore alternatives to mainstream medical care, it is my duty to present the potential problems that are often encountered, especially when people are not thoroughly knowledgeable about the risks.
The fictionalized cases came in Part Two, but they were too fictionalized for my taste: we got the whole backstories, sometimes bits of backstories (which was worse, like the stories were incomplete), one time characters from one story appeared in another. The last report was told from the author's perspective.
I totally didn't get the last two chapters of Part Three, focusing on past lives. The transition from one part to another didn't feel natural.
Memoirs, an easy genre to read, can reach a broader audience than any nonfiction book, even popular science. Its insightfulness provides a much-needed glance behind the veil while lacking the urge to sensationalize its subject. Thus, I recommend The View from the Clinic as an accessible memoir filled with the author's kindness. However, I can't recommend it entirely because of its confusing structure and challenging writing style.
I debated within myself how to rate it. It's 2,5 stars rounded to 3.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A personal view from inside the women's healthcare system.
The View from the Clinic: One Nurse's Journey in Abortion Care by Patrice D'Amato is a 'compassionate mosaic memoir,' as the author labels it, presenting medical cases and giving an overview of clinical procedures during an abortion.
The book talks about the practical side of abortion, one of the hottest topics that have been making headlines in America. The author, a former nurse practitioner, gently and with great kindness introduces the readers to what a process of abortion looks like: why it takes so long to wait for an abortion, what nurses can or can't do, and what pro-life protesters do to stop the procedure. Though briefly, the book also touches on the history of abortion (and, to my surprise, initially, the Church wasn't against it) and the deficiencies in sex education in modern schools. All this is intertwined with personal recollections of the author's way in the healthcare system.
Unfortunately, long sentences and slow pacing made reading Part One a tedious task. As the author admits multiple times throughout the text, she strays to the side. I appreciated the informative chapters; I waited and waited for the medical cases to come, as in 'ordinary' medical nonfiction, one chapter - one patient's story. Especially after reading the previous memoir of an ER doctor, who examined his patients as storytellers and built his memoirs on philosophy, I wanted the book's language to be sharper, without the additional 'water' that we can see in this example:
That said, although it is important to remember and respect time-honored practices that allow women to explore alternatives to mainstream medical care, it is my duty to present the potential problems that are often encountered, especially when people are not thoroughly knowledgeable about the risks.
The fictionalized cases came in Part Two, but they were too fictionalized for my taste: we got the whole backstories, sometimes bits of backstories (which was worse, like the stories were incomplete), one time characters from one story appeared in another. The last report was told from the author's perspective.
I totally didn't get the last two chapters of Part Three, focusing on past lives. The transition from one part to another didn't feel natural.
Memoirs, an easy genre to read, can reach a broader audience than any nonfiction book, even popular science. Its insightfulness provides a much-needed glance behind the veil while lacking the urge to sensationalize its subject. Thus, I recommend The View from the Clinic as an accessible memoir filled with the author's kindness. However, I can't recommend it entirely because of its confusing structure and challenging writing style.
I debated within myself how to rate it. It's 2,5 stars rounded to 3.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 31, 2022
Fresh take on a hot button topic!
Everyone knows nurses are the backbone of healthcare, and this nurse brings humanity to the topic of abortion. Though pro-choice in her personal views, she presents cases and information from neither a prolife,, pro-choice nor pro-abortion perspectives.
Patrice D’Amato pens a novel from her courageous 38 year nursing career immersed in a women’s clinic and being a nursing educator that allows the reader to view women’s health from the view of very personal choices and very real people. She provides further reading and material for the reader to research for themselves to further educate yourself on how and why women make such difficult choices, the myths and misinformation that’s spread, and how each decision is unique for the person, their beliefs, their religion and cultural beliefs and constrains as well as shining a light on those unsung heroes that show up to work everyday to help educate and provide outstanding care and compassion for people in all stages and situations in life.
Perfect for anyone who likes memoirs, nursing tales, or anyone who would like to further their insights or perspectives on the topic of abortions.
Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publisher and author for this amazing ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Nursing memoirs allow you to see first hand the internal as well as external struggles each nurse goes through despite showing up with brave and neutral faces. This is one not to miss.
Happy reading my friends. 😊
Everyone knows nurses are the backbone of healthcare, and this nurse brings humanity to the topic of abortion. Though pro-choice in her personal views, she presents cases and information from neither a prolife,, pro-choice nor pro-abortion perspectives.
Patrice D’Amato pens a novel from her courageous 38 year nursing career immersed in a women’s clinic and being a nursing educator that allows the reader to view women’s health from the view of very personal choices and very real people. She provides further reading and material for the reader to research for themselves to further educate yourself on how and why women make such difficult choices, the myths and misinformation that’s spread, and how each decision is unique for the person, their beliefs, their religion and cultural beliefs and constrains as well as shining a light on those unsung heroes that show up to work everyday to help educate and provide outstanding care and compassion for people in all stages and situations in life.
Perfect for anyone who likes memoirs, nursing tales, or anyone who would like to further their insights or perspectives on the topic of abortions.
Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publisher and author for this amazing ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Nursing memoirs allow you to see first hand the internal as well as external struggles each nurse goes through despite showing up with brave and neutral faces. This is one not to miss.
Happy reading my friends. 😊
February 25, 2023
This is an excellent book about a very polarizing topic. The author does not take sides, this is merely her account of a smattering of patients she worked with during her time at an abortion clinic. She writes with compassion and sometimes a bit of judgement but for the most part it is a clinical account of what transpires and some imaginative stories about circumstances patients find themselves in when they find themselves in need of this service.
I sincerely doubt anyone would likely change their stance on this topic from reading this book but from a nurse's perspective it was an informative read. I finished it in 2 sittings.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions in this review are my own.
I sincerely doubt anyone would likely change their stance on this topic from reading this book but from a nurse's perspective it was an informative read. I finished it in 2 sittings.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions in this review are my own.
August 14, 2023
While not a bad book, it's not exactly what I was expecting, especially based on the blurb. My thoughts going into this was that it would be akin to Adam Kay's This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor - someone from the 'inside' drawing back the curtain to show us how life & day-to-day goes on behind the scenes we the regular folks see from the outside. And though it has hints of this, the book seems to merely touch the surface and doesn't go really deep into the happenings - I wasn't expecting so much detachment from the author (it's a memoir, after all; we're here for her POV and mindset and also opinions, never mind what they'd be). So in that aspect, this felt like a let-down.
A lot of what the author recounts is also very 'dated' in the sense that, she was in service decades ago, and this book is thus a slice of life from back then, and not the situation as it is now (which the blurb seemed to imply it would be about)
So all in all, a bit of a let down, even though it does provide a glimpse into a world most of us have no clue about.
A lot of what the author recounts is also very 'dated' in the sense that, she was in service decades ago, and this book is thus a slice of life from back then, and not the situation as it is now (which the blurb seemed to imply it would be about)
So all in all, a bit of a let down, even though it does provide a glimpse into a world most of us have no clue about.
December 5, 2022
Full disclaimer, I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I'd love to see the author heavily revise this book and republish it. As it stands, it needs some heavy editing with respect to sentence structure, pace, and overall organization of the book. That said, it did address a very fraught topic in our society from a much needed perspective and I appreciate D'Amato's life experiences that led to her writing it.
I'd love to see the author heavily revise this book and republish it. As it stands, it needs some heavy editing with respect to sentence structure, pace, and overall organization of the book. That said, it did address a very fraught topic in our society from a much needed perspective and I appreciate D'Amato's life experiences that led to her writing it.
November 30, 2022
goodreads giveaway kinda slay :P
March 27, 2023
Most of what I know about abortion and abortion clinics comes from journalists. Hearing about the subject from the perspective of an RN who has worked in a clinic was eye-opening. It is astounding what D'Amato has witnessed. She shares stories about very young women who are almost clueless about their own bodies and how serious the decision to have an abortion is. Then there are the mothers who accompany daughters to the clinic who are determined to make the decision for them regardless of how they may feel about their situation. There are tragic stories of women who arrive at the clinic under desperate and heartbreaking circumstances, victims of violence or life-threatening medical problems.
The decision to abort a pregnancy is always complicated, and the reasons to do so are far more abundant than most people realize, especially lawmakers in this country who determine that all abortions should be illegal under any circumstances. D'Amato does a great job of balancing her own emotions and convictions with the political realities and public opinions surrounding the heated debate on abortion. She even makes respectful and thought-provoking comments about anti-abortion protestors she has encountered over the years. She speaks with the authority of someone at ground zero, whose primary concern must always be her patient.
One of the most interesting observations the author makes is how the United States is so different in its approach to abortion and sexual health than the rest of the industrialized world where the procedure is usually readily available. It's a shame that most "pro-life" folks will not read a word of this book, because they could gain insight into why we should never accept or demand such Draconian measures regarding abortion as we are seeing now that the legal decision is back in the hands of state legislators since the reversal of Roe vs. Wade by the Supreme Court. The decision to terminate a pregnancy should always, always remain in the hearts and minds of the impregnated and their qualified health providers - and nowhere else.
The decision to abort a pregnancy is always complicated, and the reasons to do so are far more abundant than most people realize, especially lawmakers in this country who determine that all abortions should be illegal under any circumstances. D'Amato does a great job of balancing her own emotions and convictions with the political realities and public opinions surrounding the heated debate on abortion. She even makes respectful and thought-provoking comments about anti-abortion protestors she has encountered over the years. She speaks with the authority of someone at ground zero, whose primary concern must always be her patient.
One of the most interesting observations the author makes is how the United States is so different in its approach to abortion and sexual health than the rest of the industrialized world where the procedure is usually readily available. It's a shame that most "pro-life" folks will not read a word of this book, because they could gain insight into why we should never accept or demand such Draconian measures regarding abortion as we are seeing now that the legal decision is back in the hands of state legislators since the reversal of Roe vs. Wade by the Supreme Court. The decision to terminate a pregnancy should always, always remain in the hearts and minds of the impregnated and their qualified health providers - and nowhere else.
October 29, 2022
The View from the Clinic by Patrice D'Amato
Throughout her nearly four-decades-long nursing career, Patrice D’Amato has seen the most diverse cross section of the human population inside abortion clinics. A compassionate mosaic memoir, The View from the Clinic normalizes and humanizes abortion through the experiences of patients, families, and staff inside a clinic—from the eyes and heart of a nurse who worked there.
A very interesting perspective from the author on her working career of working in a U.S abortion clinic.
I found Patrice a professional , and caring sounding person who saw the patient not just the predicament these women ( and sadly girls ) found themselves in .
Throughout her nearly four-decades-long nursing career, Patrice D’Amato has seen the most diverse cross section of the human population inside abortion clinics. A compassionate mosaic memoir, The View from the Clinic normalizes and humanizes abortion through the experiences of patients, families, and staff inside a clinic—from the eyes and heart of a nurse who worked there.
A very interesting perspective from the author on her working career of working in a U.S abortion clinic.
I found Patrice a professional , and caring sounding person who saw the patient not just the predicament these women ( and sadly girls ) found themselves in .
March 14, 2023
Required reading for everyone
I am a retired Critical Care nurse.I have not taken care of any post op abortion patients,not because there are any,but because the excellent care they received in the planned parenthood or abortion clinics. This book was well written and easy to understand.Probably would be banned in my current state of Florida.This should be required reading,especially in high schools and college.
I am a retired Critical Care nurse.I have not taken care of any post op abortion patients,not because there are any,but because the excellent care they received in the planned parenthood or abortion clinics. This book was well written and easy to understand.Probably would be banned in my current state of Florida.This should be required reading,especially in high schools and college.
November 30, 2022
Between my upbringing, my formative years, and my current profession, the central topic of The View from the Clinic: One Nurse’s Journey in Abortion Care is one I’ve been familiar with whether I want to or not. With something so polarizing for so many, it’s hard to find those voices that try and take a different approach, or at least one that appears to be as middle ground or impartial as possible. Having a completely unbiased view is largely never going to happen, especially for something like abortion. Author Patrice D’Amoto does try her best to do so here though, presenting her own experiences and supporting them with well-documented research.
Broken up into three parts, The View from the Clinic shifts focus multiple times. First, by taking a look at the author herself and then shifting to some of the people she’s treated in her years. The last part also focuses on individual cases like the pages in the middle, but the focus is less on the clinic and more on why the patients decide to enter the said clinic.
The writing is largely poignant, humorous at points, and heartfelt throughout. Patrice’s perspective is also a unique one. Just like it’s mentioned in the book, so many people with hard stances and loud voices on both sides have no real experience with what they’re arguing so heavily about. Thus, The View from the Clinic really does stand out because of this.
The work isn’t without it’s flaws though with a handful of errors and a few cases of some strange formatting. Timing and the years spent at different points don’t really match up either, though I think it was in error more than anything. Because of the unique perspective the book does offer, I also wanted to see more of it. The strongest parts are where the author shares her own expertise or stays extremely close to actual events. However, quite a large chunk is devoted to extrapolation built across many patients and while a very clever imagination… still an imagination. As a nonfiction title, I would have preferred a little less of that, and more of a focus on the goings-on of the clinic itself.
This was honestly a more enjoyable read than I expected given the subject matter. The tone the author must take with her patients bled through to her writing, almost coaxing you through the next page despite some rather heavy content. For, against, or one of the few people trying to take that middle road, I recommend this title to anyone interested in finding out more about how abortion looks at the operational level and not just the overarching concept.
Broken up into three parts, The View from the Clinic shifts focus multiple times. First, by taking a look at the author herself and then shifting to some of the people she’s treated in her years. The last part also focuses on individual cases like the pages in the middle, but the focus is less on the clinic and more on why the patients decide to enter the said clinic.
The writing is largely poignant, humorous at points, and heartfelt throughout. Patrice’s perspective is also a unique one. Just like it’s mentioned in the book, so many people with hard stances and loud voices on both sides have no real experience with what they’re arguing so heavily about. Thus, The View from the Clinic really does stand out because of this.
The work isn’t without it’s flaws though with a handful of errors and a few cases of some strange formatting. Timing and the years spent at different points don’t really match up either, though I think it was in error more than anything. Because of the unique perspective the book does offer, I also wanted to see more of it. The strongest parts are where the author shares her own expertise or stays extremely close to actual events. However, quite a large chunk is devoted to extrapolation built across many patients and while a very clever imagination… still an imagination. As a nonfiction title, I would have preferred a little less of that, and more of a focus on the goings-on of the clinic itself.
This was honestly a more enjoyable read than I expected given the subject matter. The tone the author must take with her patients bled through to her writing, almost coaxing you through the next page despite some rather heavy content. For, against, or one of the few people trying to take that middle road, I recommend this title to anyone interested in finding out more about how abortion looks at the operational level and not just the overarching concept.
September 30, 2022
D'Amato's memoir is part non-fiction, part personal narrative, and part realistic fiction. She tells of her time working as a nurse practitioner in an abortion clinic, sharing her own perspectives, scientific and political information and data, as well as the stories of her patients which are somewhat fictionalized but based on real events. As a result, this book is unique and interesting, while also meeting the interests of a wide range of readers since it does not fit perfectly into one genre or even sub genre.
D'Amato uses her unique position and voice to dispel myths, describe barriers which cause reproductive rights to be denied to some, and share the stories and perspectives that are so rarely made public. From harrowing statistics to heart wrenching stories, this book is not an easy read, but it is definitely an important one. In a world where we see countries and governments appearing to regress socially and find that once again we are discussing white supremacy, LGBTQ+ rights and access to abortion, topics many of us felt were problems of the past, knowledge is power and understanding the many sides of a debate is essential.
The View From the Clinic is well written, including detailed information about abortions without being graphic. While D'Amato does share her own opinions and beliefs, she does so in a very neutral way. I think it is fair to say that most people who work in this highly controversial field of medicine likely have an opinion firmly rooted in one side of the debate and D'Amato is no different. That being said, this book is not written in a persuasive or belittling way. She shares the facts and her opinions are woven throughout, but this book is not meant to sell you on the positives or negatives of abortion, it is a chance to give you the opportunity to see a perspective many people would never have the opportunity to see. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in medical memoirs, barriers to reproductive rights, and the failing systems in place for both sexual education and access to contraception. Thanks to Booksirens and Fan Blade Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and voluntarily review this book!
D'Amato uses her unique position and voice to dispel myths, describe barriers which cause reproductive rights to be denied to some, and share the stories and perspectives that are so rarely made public. From harrowing statistics to heart wrenching stories, this book is not an easy read, but it is definitely an important one. In a world where we see countries and governments appearing to regress socially and find that once again we are discussing white supremacy, LGBTQ+ rights and access to abortion, topics many of us felt were problems of the past, knowledge is power and understanding the many sides of a debate is essential.
The View From the Clinic is well written, including detailed information about abortions without being graphic. While D'Amato does share her own opinions and beliefs, she does so in a very neutral way. I think it is fair to say that most people who work in this highly controversial field of medicine likely have an opinion firmly rooted in one side of the debate and D'Amato is no different. That being said, this book is not written in a persuasive or belittling way. She shares the facts and her opinions are woven throughout, but this book is not meant to sell you on the positives or negatives of abortion, it is a chance to give you the opportunity to see a perspective many people would never have the opportunity to see. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in medical memoirs, barriers to reproductive rights, and the failing systems in place for both sexual education and access to contraception. Thanks to Booksirens and Fan Blade Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and voluntarily review this book!
May 25, 2023
I’ve often felt that abortion providers might do more to educate the general public about the inner world of pregnancy termination - but also that they are too burnt out, and too focussed on their actual patients, to be able to focus on that. For that reason, I’m incredibly grateful to Patrice D’Amato for writing The View from the Clinic, part memoir and part ethnography; part stream-of-consciousness and part creative writing.
D’Amato makes a point of NOT directly giving her opinion about abortion, and instead offers a glimpse - well, a VIEW - “from the clinic.”
What kind of person works for an abortion clinic? What do they say to their family? Their friends? What goes through their mind when they’re seeing patients, and do they judge? D’Amato repeatedly draws the reader’s attention toward unpacking their own judgments; reminding (probably) even the wokest readers of the human’s tendency to pass judgment on situations beyond their own lived or shared experiences.
I did not really enjoy the part where the author writes fictionalised narratives of what she imagines her patient’s lives to be like. While it is probably a very important exercise for a healthcare worker, it probably would be better off published in a separate volume. It seemed disparate to the writing in the rest of the book.
As much as this is an excellent book for the so-called layperson, it evoked a feeling of kinship for me as a healthcare worker. I so appreciate that D’Amato writes about burnout, and the pragmatic decisions she has made for her career. I appreciate her sharing how she has forged her own path in order to continue contributing to the field, but in a way that does not burn her to pieces.
I don’t anticipate that this book will change anyone’s stance, but that is not what D’Amato sets out to do, in anyway. It does offer an opportunity for greater empathy, which is hopefully something more people can strive towards.
Thank you to Netgalley and Fan Blade Publishing for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
D’Amato makes a point of NOT directly giving her opinion about abortion, and instead offers a glimpse - well, a VIEW - “from the clinic.”
What kind of person works for an abortion clinic? What do they say to their family? Their friends? What goes through their mind when they’re seeing patients, and do they judge? D’Amato repeatedly draws the reader’s attention toward unpacking their own judgments; reminding (probably) even the wokest readers of the human’s tendency to pass judgment on situations beyond their own lived or shared experiences.
I did not really enjoy the part where the author writes fictionalised narratives of what she imagines her patient’s lives to be like. While it is probably a very important exercise for a healthcare worker, it probably would be better off published in a separate volume. It seemed disparate to the writing in the rest of the book.
As much as this is an excellent book for the so-called layperson, it evoked a feeling of kinship for me as a healthcare worker. I so appreciate that D’Amato writes about burnout, and the pragmatic decisions she has made for her career. I appreciate her sharing how she has forged her own path in order to continue contributing to the field, but in a way that does not burn her to pieces.
I don’t anticipate that this book will change anyone’s stance, but that is not what D’Amato sets out to do, in anyway. It does offer an opportunity for greater empathy, which is hopefully something more people can strive towards.
Thank you to Netgalley and Fan Blade Publishing for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2023
Reading A View from the Clinic is like sitting down with a cup of coffee or an adult beverage with a wise and funny friend who has a flair for storytelling.
Her description of the world of abortion clients and providers is evenhanded and fair—and unapologetically blunt at times (some abortion advocates may not like the occasional “straying from the party line”). Her point?—That patients and the health care workers involved in abortion care are more like you and people you know than you might ever have suspected and that compassion rather than judgment is called for.
I would of course recommend this book to anyone interested in direct explanations about many aspects of modern-day abortion. As other reviewers remark, this kind of an account is especially needed after the abortion debates in the US were revived in the lead up to and the aftermath of last year’s SCOTUS decision.
But there are at least a couple of further audiences beyond the obvious one. D’Amato also writes lucidly and honestly about nursing and being a provider of women’s health primary care and so this is also a good book for any nurse or nurse practitioner (or aspiring one)—and such readers will either be nodding and laughing at more than a few points, or (if new to the field or thinking of dipping their toe in the water) will be grateful for to her stories and will be filing the wisdom away for future use. I think someone not especially interested in either abortion or in nursing in particular would also enjoy it. At its core, this is a creative and smoothly-written narrative by a big-hearted, broad-minded and thoughtful person doing complicated work in the most private spaces of people’s private lives at a challenging time in the world. Anyone who likes a good story (and isn’t put off by the topic of abortion) and appreciates a no-punches-pulled approach to the world will appreciate the ride D’Amato takes us on.
Her description of the world of abortion clients and providers is evenhanded and fair—and unapologetically blunt at times (some abortion advocates may not like the occasional “straying from the party line”). Her point?—That patients and the health care workers involved in abortion care are more like you and people you know than you might ever have suspected and that compassion rather than judgment is called for.
I would of course recommend this book to anyone interested in direct explanations about many aspects of modern-day abortion. As other reviewers remark, this kind of an account is especially needed after the abortion debates in the US were revived in the lead up to and the aftermath of last year’s SCOTUS decision.
But there are at least a couple of further audiences beyond the obvious one. D’Amato also writes lucidly and honestly about nursing and being a provider of women’s health primary care and so this is also a good book for any nurse or nurse practitioner (or aspiring one)—and such readers will either be nodding and laughing at more than a few points, or (if new to the field or thinking of dipping their toe in the water) will be grateful for to her stories and will be filing the wisdom away for future use. I think someone not especially interested in either abortion or in nursing in particular would also enjoy it. At its core, this is a creative and smoothly-written narrative by a big-hearted, broad-minded and thoughtful person doing complicated work in the most private spaces of people’s private lives at a challenging time in the world. Anyone who likes a good story (and isn’t put off by the topic of abortion) and appreciates a no-punches-pulled approach to the world will appreciate the ride D’Amato takes us on.
November 26, 2022
'The View from the Clinic: One Nurse's Journey in Abortion Care by Patrice D'Amato is a memoir about medical cases and an overview of clinical procedures during an abortion.
In Part One, D'Amato, a former nurse practitioner, introduces the readers to what happens inside an abortion clinic: the time it takes to wait for an abortion, the nurses, the payment system, the protesters outside the clinics, the women who are confronted with the abortion choice. A chapter in Part One touches on the history of abortion and another chapter is D'Amato's recollection of a time when she had to deliver a sex-education presentation at a high-school, thus touching on the lack of sex education in modern schools. However, the reading is tedious at times. The language is not poignant as you expect in a medical content memoir and the sentences are at times long and slow.
Part Two introduces fictionalized cases. However, some of them are incomplete and leave us wanting some more of the backstory. For example, Luz' story touches on the linguistic barriers that exist in the health system and the consequences that come with it.
Part Three is a combination of cases and personal beliefs. The last two chapters focus on past lives and reincarnation, un unexpected turn, I would say.
Despite its weaknesses in structure and writing style, but enveloped in D'Amato's kind and non-judgemental tone, this memoir is an accessible read on a topic that is so current now more than ever.
In Part One, D'Amato, a former nurse practitioner, introduces the readers to what happens inside an abortion clinic: the time it takes to wait for an abortion, the nurses, the payment system, the protesters outside the clinics, the women who are confronted with the abortion choice. A chapter in Part One touches on the history of abortion and another chapter is D'Amato's recollection of a time when she had to deliver a sex-education presentation at a high-school, thus touching on the lack of sex education in modern schools. However, the reading is tedious at times. The language is not poignant as you expect in a medical content memoir and the sentences are at times long and slow.
Part Two introduces fictionalized cases. However, some of them are incomplete and leave us wanting some more of the backstory. For example, Luz' story touches on the linguistic barriers that exist in the health system and the consequences that come with it.
Part Three is a combination of cases and personal beliefs. The last two chapters focus on past lives and reincarnation, un unexpected turn, I would say.
Despite its weaknesses in structure and writing style, but enveloped in D'Amato's kind and non-judgemental tone, this memoir is an accessible read on a topic that is so current now more than ever.
December 19, 2022
I would like to thank Fan Blade Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
This is a very timely book that serves as a memoir for D'Amato. The stories in it are fictionalized to protect the identities of those inside the story. There are parts of this book that I really liked, but there was a part of this book as someone who has chronic pain and many negative experiences with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff that I felt was not great. I know the author did not intend it the way it came across, but the story about a patient trying to obtain a prescription for back pain left a bad taste in my mouth. I get these things can and do happen, but accounts like these remind me of the irrational suspicion doctors and nurses have of patients. As a person with chronic pain, I have been threatened and turned away for just saying I was experiencing pain. I never mentioned wanting any medication, just a diagnosis. Unfortunately, my experiences are not rare or uncommon and stories like these remind me of how we got here and how medical staff treats us. Otherwise, I think the stories surrounding abortion care are very valuable. I think these experiences are very important to talk about, especially right now.
This is a very timely book that serves as a memoir for D'Amato. The stories in it are fictionalized to protect the identities of those inside the story. There are parts of this book that I really liked, but there was a part of this book as someone who has chronic pain and many negative experiences with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff that I felt was not great. I know the author did not intend it the way it came across, but the story about a patient trying to obtain a prescription for back pain left a bad taste in my mouth. I get these things can and do happen, but accounts like these remind me of the irrational suspicion doctors and nurses have of patients. As a person with chronic pain, I have been threatened and turned away for just saying I was experiencing pain. I never mentioned wanting any medication, just a diagnosis. Unfortunately, my experiences are not rare or uncommon and stories like these remind me of how we got here and how medical staff treats us. Otherwise, I think the stories surrounding abortion care are very valuable. I think these experiences are very important to talk about, especially right now.
March 4, 2023
This ends up skewing a bit lighter/anecdotal than I expected going in and I do think I may have been expecting something a bit more down to earth, but this is a middle age writer, so ultimately, I'm not that surprised. It ends up being more about the narratives of the women as told by the nurse, which felt a bit odd, as she always manages to show up in each story even though it feels like the narratives should be more of the emphasis. It feels like the author isn't entirely sure of the audience she is trying for, but if nothing else she is preaching to the choir that knows of the necessity of abortion. Of course, the timing of this against the Roe v Wade decision ended up being darkly hilarious. Still something you could pass to, say, a relative to maybe get them a bit more realistic idea of what abortion clinics and the people who go to them are like.
October 7, 2023
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Fan Blade Publishing from and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Abortion is one of the most polarizing, divisive topics in America. To be so candid and diplomatic about it is difficult. To share others stories on it is lovingly beautiful. The perspective of a nurse -and not sharing their opinion- is a lovely gift. It’s the choice of a woman in that situation. It’s not an easy one. It’s something they’ll carry the rest of their life no matter what they choose. It’s not like picking out gum at the store in the checkout line. It’s a heavy weight with a lot of factors to consider. To put such grace to the topic is necessary. No, it probably won’t change minds but it might give others a little bit of perspective as to what someone goes through making the decision.
Abortion is one of the most polarizing, divisive topics in America. To be so candid and diplomatic about it is difficult. To share others stories on it is lovingly beautiful. The perspective of a nurse -and not sharing their opinion- is a lovely gift. It’s the choice of a woman in that situation. It’s not an easy one. It’s something they’ll carry the rest of their life no matter what they choose. It’s not like picking out gum at the store in the checkout line. It’s a heavy weight with a lot of factors to consider. To put such grace to the topic is necessary. No, it probably won’t change minds but it might give others a little bit of perspective as to what someone goes through making the decision.
May 14, 2024
I limit my non-fiction reading normally, but first-person experiences with issues of substance intrigue me. WOW! What a powerful book.
I am a massive pro-choice proponent with, I' d venture to say, *most* of my friends and acquaintances anti-choice, so I'm used to listening to all kinds of arguments. I was particularly struck by the fact that D'Amato makes limited value judgments. Sure, she will point out facts about which the reader may make a judgment; she may even invite the reader to do so. However, she is quite clear that her intent is to present these stories, real even when fictionalized, as illustrative and expository, not as judgmental.
I'm about to go write a review on my Facebook page, too, inviting those who wish to understand more fully that this is not a black-and-white issue to investigate.
I am a massive pro-choice proponent with, I' d venture to say, *most* of my friends and acquaintances anti-choice, so I'm used to listening to all kinds of arguments. I was particularly struck by the fact that D'Amato makes limited value judgments. Sure, she will point out facts about which the reader may make a judgment; she may even invite the reader to do so. However, she is quite clear that her intent is to present these stories, real even when fictionalized, as illustrative and expository, not as judgmental.
I'm about to go write a review on my Facebook page, too, inviting those who wish to understand more fully that this is not a black-and-white issue to investigate.
September 14, 2024
Published in 2022 and before the OVERTURNING of Roe v Wade, this book will give you a behind the scenes view into an abortion clinic by the author, a Nurse Practitioner.
You will learn the stories behind the myriad reasons for an abortion, the educated and uneducated information evident during this time frame.
As a nurse, educated in the mid 60s who worked in an operating room where "therapeutic abortions" were performed, I can relate to some of the issues/thoughts Patrice experienced.
Patrice does her homework and will present statistics/facts throughout the book. Many of which may surprise you.
I found this a timely read as many of these issues/thoughts persist today. And, the arguments on each side of the question remain the same.
You will learn the stories behind the myriad reasons for an abortion, the educated and uneducated information evident during this time frame.
As a nurse, educated in the mid 60s who worked in an operating room where "therapeutic abortions" were performed, I can relate to some of the issues/thoughts Patrice experienced.
Patrice does her homework and will present statistics/facts throughout the book. Many of which may surprise you.
I found this a timely read as many of these issues/thoughts persist today. And, the arguments on each side of the question remain the same.
November 4, 2022
A really insightful memoir and mosaic of stories around the sensitive topic of abortion. The stories within really shed light on the vast backgrounds and reasoning for getting an abortion. Given the current political climate, I wish more people would take the time to absorb literature like this. It is NOT black or white: never has been, and never will be.
My only criticism would to remove the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. They have very little to do with the story unfolding and thus were very distracting. I ended just skipping them entirely about half way through the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My only criticism would to remove the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. They have very little to do with the story unfolding and thus were very distracting. I ended just skipping them entirely about half way through the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 2, 2023
This was a really interesting firsthand account of working in an abortion clinic. The writing was fantastic and I found the stories that were told to be absolutely fascinating. This is a three star read for me because at times I didn’t really understand the point of the “fictionalised” stories. I would have preferred to just have a firsthand account told by the author rather than stories that read like fiction in the middle of a non fiction book.
Overall this book was definitely eye opening and I think more people need to read this book, especially if they are quick to judge those who have abortions.
Overall this book was definitely eye opening and I think more people need to read this book, especially if they are quick to judge those who have abortions.
July 12, 2023
It's always hard to 'review' non-fiction books about such sensitive topics, particularly about a topic such as abortion. The positive here is that D'Amato did not take sides, and was fair and equal in the stories she told. However, I feel the ancedotes lacked a lot of depth, the flow of the stories were not cohesive, and the writing was pretty mediocre at best. Admittedly this is a sensitive topic to make come across as particularly exciting, but the writing style left a lot to be desired, and I felt there could have been more detail in some places. I also feel the emphasis was more on the author as opposed to the individuals she wrote about.
November 19, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for this read. It was quite informative; and always the type of real life book I head for in the bookstore or library. I always enjoy getting to have a sneak peak into a world I’ve never been in. Patrice takes the reader right inside of the abortion clinic, and for the pages of each story brings the reader right into each moment that requires the women to come in. For a second we learn how many different scenarios there are, how uneducated so many are and how scared young women are. I think regardless of where you stand on the debate it’s worth learning about.
August 19, 2024
I thought this was a very unique opportunity to see what it is like in the day to day operation in an abortion clinic from someone that has been there to provide care to the patients and to be their emotional support. This is an extremely politicized item currently and I can only imagine what these workers face. I like that this author kept her writing level and unemotive, however I wish her writing would have been more cohesive. I would have liked to see more balance between the types of cases covered. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley. I found this to be interesting and eye=opening.
January 15, 2023
Informative, compassionate, and for the most part non-judgmental. It tells of Patrice's experiences in an abortion clinic, both personal and professional, with a smattering of patients stories added in.
With the current issues regarding abortion, I found this to be a well-timed and interesting read. Some of the structure was a bit all over the place, but otherwise nicely written.
I received this ARC copy via Netgalley and this is my honest review.
With the current issues regarding abortion, I found this to be a well-timed and interesting read. Some of the structure was a bit all over the place, but otherwise nicely written.
I received this ARC copy via Netgalley and this is my honest review.
April 26, 2023
Well written and thoughtful
This book takes you right to the front lines of an actual abortion clinic through the eyes of a nurse practitioner who has many stories to tell about the personalities she encountered there. This extremely timely book covers everything from patients’ different reasons for abortion to coping with this type of work as a a provider. It is well written, sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, and always interesting. I would definitely recommend
This book takes you right to the front lines of an actual abortion clinic through the eyes of a nurse practitioner who has many stories to tell about the personalities she encountered there. This extremely timely book covers everything from patients’ different reasons for abortion to coping with this type of work as a a provider. It is well written, sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, and always interesting. I would definitely recommend
July 17, 2023
This author has written a talked about, debated, controversial topic that has gone on for hundreds of years. Through her experiences has given some very eye-opening reasons each patient chose to go this route with patient ages from 11 years old to mid-life. There was lifesaving, as a rape victim who needed emergency care or someone who miscarried that required care to heal, to life ending. I appreciated her view, not taking sides, just relating their journeys.
November 4, 2022
Interesting read.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.
November 12, 2022
Insightful and nuanced
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