As Economy Tanks, Women Flock to Clinics

In this tough economy, requests for long-term contraceptives and abortions have spiked at family planning clinics, reports the Los Angeles Times. Planned Parenthood of LA County has seen its caseload jump 15% in just a year, and requests for IUDs nearly doubled in the first quarter compared to a year ago. A recent Gallup poll showed a correlation between finances and family planning.

"Women are really having to make thoughtful decisions whether now is the right time to get pregnant," said the head of an organization that assists poor women who need reproductive healthcare. (More abortion stories.)