---
title: A mirror is one of my most important medical tools
date: 2011-04-20T02:46:49-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/a-mirror-is-one-of-my-most-important-medical-tools"
section: Blog (Archive)
---
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[From the Archives of Our Bodies, Our Blog](/blog)# A mirror is one of my most important medical tools

By Our Bodies Ourselves • April 20, 2011

Please note: This entry -- originally posted at [Our Bodies, Our Blog](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog) -- has not been updated since the publication date listed above.

Submitted by: Alice Rothchild  
  
Starting in 1970, I was a medical student (one of about 10 women in a class of over 100) at Boston University and just discovering women's consciousness raising and the feminist movement. I worked on the first edition of OBOS and it became the touchstone of my political development. When I opened my first obgyn/pediatric group practice in the inner city, every patient was offered a copy of OBOS. Today, I still ask each woman if she wants to see her cervix every time I do a pelvic exam. Some women are still saying "Yes!" A mirror is one of my most important medical tools.  
  
*In this series, readers [tell their stories](/history/reading-our-bodies-ourselves/ "Reading Our Bodies, Ourselves") about their experiences with the book and its impact on their lives. [View more stories](/category/our-bodies-ourselves/readers-stories/).*

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#### 1 Response

Our Bodies Ourselves is no longer able to accept comments.

**Elizabeth Green** on Jun 01, 2011

Alice delivered my twins on June 8 1999 on a beautiful sunset evening at Beth Israel. I couldn't have asked for more caring and experienced hands. (Alice, remember the placenta chant?)  
  
There were 12 women and 2 men in my labor and delivery room, and my doula was there. I couldn't help but think how times had CHANGED since I was born and my mother's (twilight) experience....  
  
Best,  
  
Elizabeth

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