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Amsterdam: Difference between revisions
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→Abortion
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In the Netherlands, abortion has fully legal since 1984. All general reasons for an abortion are permitted, which includes: to save the life of the woman, to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, rape or incest, fetal impairment, economic or social reasons or available on request. However, there are some timeline restrictions to consider. Abortions are available on demand until the 21st-week, and for cases that require urgent surgical procedures, abortion is permitted until the 24th week. After 24 weeks, the fetus is considered "potentially viable" -- and, for this reason, abortions are not legally permitted. Yet, the general Criminal Code seems to have no provisions related to pregnancy. This means that, if a woman's life is endangered during the latter stages of pregnancy, and if the medical procedure to save her would result in the death of the fetus, the physician helping the woman would not be considered guilty of any crimes. | |||
If you're interested in seeking an abortion in the Netherlands, you need to consult with a doctor (this is required). The doctor may suggest alternatives other than abortion. Then, you will need to go through a five-day wait period. There are some exceptions under which you don't need to go through the wait period -- but, for most people, it's required. Then, once you have finished the wait period, you can proceed to get a medical abortion (i.e. the abortion pill) or a surgical abortion. | |||
Historically, there was resistance to abortion in the past. As written in a UN Report, "In the Netherlands, family planning was traditionally discouraged because it was regarded as being contrary to the objectives of marriage and as promoting promiscuity. As a result, the practice did not receive the backing and support of the Government or a majority of the population, including health professionals. Contraceptives were not readily available and could not be advertised in the Netherlands until 1969. Moreover, physicians were reluctant to provide family planning services for fear of having to share in the responsibility for an unwanted pregnancy which might occur from contraceptive failure and which might in turn necessitate an induced abortion. This situation contributed to keeping the crude birth rate at the relatively high level of 20.7 per 1,000 during the mid-1960s. The introduction of the pill in 1964 and its proven high reliability led to the widespread acceptance and practice of family planning. Since about 1965, family planning services have routinely been offered as part of general health-care services."<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/profiles.htm UN Report: Abortion Policies - The Netherlands] | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
If you are a Dutch citizen, you can get a free abortion. If you are not a Dutch citizen, you will probably have to pay for the abortion. | |||
==Advocacy & Counseling== | ==Advocacy & Counseling== | ||