Abortion in the Netherlands

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Pro-abortion rights demonstration in the Netherlands in 1971. The text written on her stomach reads: "baas in eigen buik" which translates in English loosely as "boss in your own belly" Aktie Baas in eigen buik. Een vrouw laat zien wie de baas is in eigen buik., Bestanddeelnr 119-0598.jpg
Pro-abortion rights demonstration in the Netherlands in 1971. The text written on her stomach reads: "baas in eigen buik" which translates in English loosely as "boss in your own belly"

Abortion in the Netherlands was fully legalized on 1 November 1984, allowing elective abortion up to the 24th week of the pregnancy. [1] Abortion for "serious medical reasons" can be performed after 24 weeks. [2] There used to be a mandatory five-day waiting period for abortions done after one's menstrual period is 17 days overdue. [3] However, on 21 June 2022, Dutch parliamentarians approved a law to scrap the mandatory five-day reflection period before undergoing an abortion, saying women, with a joint consultation with the doctor, should be able to determine the time before making a decision. The law went into effect in January 2023. [4] [5]

Contents

History

Abortion was deemed illegal under the Penal Code of 1886. Convictions were all but precluded, however, by a requirement that the prosecution prove that the fetus had been alive until the abortion. The Morality Acts of 1911 closed this loophole, [6] and strictly barred all abortions, except those performed to save the life of the pregnant woman.

Legalization reached the forefront of public debate in the Netherlands during the 1970s as many other Western European countries liberalized their laws. The Staten-Generaal, however, was unable to reach a consensus between those opposing legalization, those in favor of allowing abortion, and those favoring a compromise measure. A controversial abortion law was passed in 1981 with single swing votes: 76 for and 74 against in the House of Representatives, and 38 for and 37 against in the Senate. The law left abortion a crime, unless performed at a clinic or hospital that is issued an official abortion certificate by the Dutch government, and the woman who is asking for the abortion declares she considers it to be an emergency. The law came into effect on 1 November 1984.

Currently, there are just over 100 Dutch general hospitals certified to perform abortions, and 17 specialized abortion clinics. More than 90% of abortions take place in the specialized clinics.

Available procedures

In the Netherlands, abortion performed by a certified clinic or hospital is effectually allowed at any point between conception and viability, subject to a five-day waiting period. The waiting period does not apply if your menstrual period is less than 17 days overdue (very early stage pregnancy). After the first trimester, the procedure becomes stricter, as two doctors must consent to treatment. In practice, abortions are performed until approximately 24 weeks into pregnancy, although this limit is the topic of ongoing discussion among physicians in the Netherlands, since, due to recent medical advancements, a fetus can sometimes be considered viable prior to 24 weeks. As a result of this debate, abortions are only rarely performed after 22 weeks of pregnancy. Abortions must be performed in a hospital.

Abortion in the Netherlands can completed with the use of different procedures including use of an abortion pill, vacuum aspiration, or dilation and evacuation. [7]

The abortion pill:

Since February 2000, the use of the abortion pill was legalised in the Netherlands. The use of the pills are permitted to be taken up to 49 days, after the first day of the last menstrual bleed. For most people, this is a timeframe of approximately 3 weeks time. For this procedure, you get perscribed 3 pills. The pills need to be taken on in-clinic appointments. With your last appointment you are required to stay for 4–6 hours for observation.

Vacuum Aspiration:

This is a procedure that uses a vacuum or suction device as a source to remove an embryo or fetus from the womb. This procedure is only available in certified medical clinics or hospitals.

Dilation and evacuation:

This is a surgical procedure that is offered after the first trimester of pregnancy. This procedure completely removes the fetus and all placental tissue in the uterus. An other name for this procedure are surgical abortion. Sometimes this procedure is also used in case of an incomplete miscarriage.

Number of abortions

The number of abortions has been relatively stable in the 21st century, around 28,000 per year. [8] As of 2010, the abortion rate was 9.7 abortions per 1000 women aged 15–44 years (0.97%), one of the lowest in the world. [9]

1 in 5 women in the Netherlands has experience with an unwanted pregnancy, however, only 13.5% of those unwanted pregnancies end with an abortion. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion"; these occur in approximately 30% to 40% of all pregnancies. When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced abortion, or less frequently "induced miscarriage". The unmodified word abortion generally refers to an induced abortion. The most common reason women give for having an abortion is for birth-timing and limiting family size. Other reasons reported include maternal health, an inability to afford a child, domestic violence, lack of support, feeling they are too young, wishing to complete education or advance a career, and not being able or willing to raise a child conceived as a result of rape or incest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of the Netherlands</span>

The foreign policy of the Netherlands is based on four basic commitments: to the Atlantic cooperation, to European integration, to international development and to international law. While historically the Kingdom of the Netherlands was a neutral state, since 1945 it has become a member of NATO, the United Nations, the European Union and many other international organizations. The Dutch economy is very open and relies on international trade. During and after the 17th century—its Golden Age—the Dutch built up a commercial and colonial empire. It was a leading shipping and naval power and was often at war with England, its main rival. Its main colonial holding was Indonesia, which fought for and achieved independence after 1945. The historical ties inherited from its colonial past still influence the foreign relations of the Netherlands. Foreign trade policy is handled by the European Union. The Dutch have been active in international peacekeeping roles.

Late termination of pregnancy, also referred to as third trimester abortion, describes the termination of pregnancy by induced abortion during a late stage of gestation. In this context, late is not precisely defined, and different medical publications use varying gestational age thresholds. As of 2015 in the United States, more than 90% of abortions occur before the 13th week, 1.3% of abortions in the United States took place after the 21st week, and less than 1% occur after 24 weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabinet of the Netherlands</span> Executive body of the Dutch government

The cabinet of the Netherlands is the main executive body of the Netherlands. The latest cabinet of the Netherlands is the Fourth Rutte cabinet, which has been in power since 10 January 2022, until 7 July 2023. It is headed by Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abortion law</span> Laws that allow, prohibit, or regulate abortion

Abortion laws vary widely among countries and territories, and have changed over time. Such laws range from abortion being freely available on request, to regulation or restrictions of various kinds, to outright prohibition in all circumstances. Many countries and territories that allow abortion have gestational limits for the procedure depending on the reason; with the majority being up to 12 weeks for abortion on request, up to 24 weeks for rape, incest, or socioeconomic reasons, and more for fetal impairment or risk to the woman's health or life. As of 2022, countries that legally allow abortion on request or for socioeconomic reasons comprise about 60% of the world's population.

Abortion in Germany during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy will not be punished under the law if the condition of mandatory counseling is fulfilled. The same goes later in pregnancy in cases that the pregnancy poses an important danger to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman. In the case that the abortion is because of a rape mandatory counseling is not mandatory. The woman needs to receive counseling, called Schwangerschaftskonfliktberatung, at least three days prior to the abortion and must take place at a state-approved centre, which afterwards gives the applicant a Beratungsschein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women on Waves</span> Dutch pro-choice non-profit organization

Women on Waves (WoW) is a Dutch nongovernmental organization (NGO) created in 1999 by Dutch physician Rebecca Gomperts, in order to bring reproductive health services, particularly non-surgical abortion services and education, to women in countries with restrictive abortion laws. Other services offered by WoW include contraception, individual reproductive counseling, workshops, and education about unwanted pregnancy. Workshops are conducted for lawyers, doctors, artists, writers, public health care activists, as well as for women and men to learn about contraceptive practices and non-surgical, self-induced abortion using RU-486. Services are provided on a commissioned ship that contains a specially constructed mobile clinic, the A-Portable. When WoW visits a country, women make appointments, and are taken on board the ship. The ship then sails out approximately 20 km, to international waters, where Dutch laws are in effect on board ships registered in the Netherlands. Once in international waters, the ship's medical personnel provide a range of reproductive health services that includes medical abortion.

An abortion clinic or abortion provider is a medical facility that provides abortions. Such clinics may be public medical centers, private medical practices or nonprofit organizations such as Planned Parenthood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vacuum aspiration</span> Gynaecological procedure

Vacuum or suction aspiration is a procedure that uses a vacuum source to remove an embryo or fetus through the cervix. The procedure is performed to induce abortion, as a treatment for incomplete spontaneous abortion or retained fetal and placental tissue, or to obtain a sample of uterine lining. It is generally safe, and serious complications rarely occur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael</span> International relations school in Wassenaar, Netherlands

The Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael or Clingendael Institute is a Dutch think tank and academy on international relations. Based in Wassenaar on the municipal border with The Hague, the institute also publishes Clingendael Magazine 'Spectator', an online monthly on international politics. As of 2012, the institute is organised into two departments: Clingendael Research and Clingendael Academy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Finance (Netherlands)</span> Finance ministry in The Netherlands

The Ministry of Finance is the Dutch Ministry responsible for economic policy, monetary policy, fiscal policy, tax policy, incomes policy, financial regulation, the government budget and the financial market. The Ministry was created in 1798 as the Department of Finance of the Batavian Republic. It became the Ministry of Finance in 1876. The Minister of Finance is the head of the Ministry and a member of the Cabinet of the Netherlands. The current Minister is Steven van Weyenberg.

This is a timeline of reproductive rights legislation, a chronological list of laws and legal decisions affecting human reproductive rights. Reproductive rights are a sub-set of human rights pertaining to issues of reproduction and reproductive health. These rights may include some or all of the following: the right to legal or safe abortion, the right to birth control, the right to access quality reproductive healthcare, and the right to education and access in order to make reproductive choices free from coercion, discrimination, and violence. Reproductive rights may also include the right to receive education about contraception and sexually transmitted infections, and freedom from coerced sterilization, abortion, and contraception, and protection from practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM).

Abortion in Turkey has been legal on request since May 27, 1983. Abortion is legal up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, and in special circumstances the time threshold can be extended if there is danger to the woman's life or the life of the fetus. During the ten weeks, an abortion is allowed for the following reasons: the pregnancy threatens the woman's mental and/or physical health, the fetus would be physically or mentally impaired, if the conception occurred through rape or incest, and economic or social reasons. The woman's consent is required. If the woman is under the age of 18, then parental consent is required. If the woman is married, the consent of the husband is also required. Single women over the age of 18 can choose to have an abortion on their own.

Abortion in Austria has not been punishable by law during the first three months of pregnancy since 1 January 1975. Abortions can be performed later if there is a physical or mental health threat to the pregnant person, if there is an incurable problem with the development of the fetus, or if the patient is under the age of 14. Generally, performing or receiving an abortion is still considered a criminal offence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foundation Hindu Media</span>

The Foundation Hindu Media, Dutch: Organisatie Hindoe Media, was a special broadcaster on the Netherlands Public Broadcasting system, which was allowed to broadcast on radio and television because of their religious background. They made programming for the Dutch Hindu community.

Abortion is the termination of human pregnancy, often performed in the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. In 1973, the United States Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade recognized a constitutional right to obtain an abortion without excessive government restriction, and in 1992 the Court in Planned Parenthood v. Casey invalidated restrictions that create an undue burden on people seeking abortions. Since then, there has continued to be an abortion debate in the United States, and some states have passed laws in the form of regulation of abortions but which have the purpose or effect of restricting its provision. The proponents of such laws argue they do not create an undue burden. Some state laws that impact the availability of abortions have been upheld by courts. In 2022, Roe and Casey were overturned by the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, meaning that states may now regulate abortion in ways that were not previously permitted.

A medical abortion, also known as medication abortion or non-surgical abortion, occurs when drugs (medication) are used to bring about an abortion. Medical abortions are an alternative to surgical abortions such as vacuum aspiration or dilation and curettage. Medical abortions are more common than surgical abortions in most places around the world.

Abortion is illegal in Bangladesh under most situations, but menstrual regulation is often used as a substitute. Bangladesh is still governed by the penal code from 1860, where induced abortion is illegal unless the woman is in danger.

Nepal legalised abortion in March 2002, under the 11th Amendment to the Civil Code. The legal services were successfully implemented on December 25, 2003. The high maternal mortality rates in Nepal lead to the government legalising it. More than 500,000 women sought abortion between 2004–2014. In 2014, 323,100 women in Nepal had the abortion; among this, only 42% of abortions were legal and 19% were treated for abortion complications. Similar study had found the rate of unintended pregnancy as 50%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fourth Rutte cabinet</span> 71st cabinet of the Netherlands

The fourth Rutte cabinet is the current cabinet of the Netherlands. It was inaugurated on 10 January 2022. The cabinet is a continuation of the third Rutte cabinet and is formed by the conservative liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the social liberal Democrats 66 (D66) and the Christian democratic Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and Christian Union (CU) after the election of 2021. The cabinet fell on 7 July 2023, after failing to reach an agreement on separate treatment of refugees fleeing from war. As a result, the cabinet became demissionary.

References

  1. Zaken, Ministerie van Algemene (2015-05-11). "Abortion - Government.nl". www.government.nl. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  2. Zaken, Ministerie van Algemene (2015-05-11). "What is the time limit for having an abortion? - Government.nl". www.government.nl. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  3. Zaken, Ministerie van Algemene (2015-05-11). "I am thinking about getting an abortion. What should I do? - Government.nl". www.government.nl. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  4. "Initiatiefvoorstel-Paternotte, Kuiken, Ellemeet en van Wijngaarden Afschaffen verplichte minimale beraadtermijn voor afbreking van zwangerschappen (35.737)".
  5. "Dutch scrap mandatory abortion reflection period".
  6. Post, Che; Brouwer, Jan G.; Vols, Michel (2019-06-01). "Regulation of Prostitution in the Netherlands: Liberal Dream or Growing Repression?". European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research. 25 (2): 99–118. doi: 10.1007/s10610-018-9371-8 . ISSN   1572-9869.
  7. Loeber, Olga (2013). "Antieconceptiegebruik van vrouwen die een abortus provocatus ondergaan" (PDF). Tijdschrift voor Seksuologie. 37 (3): 102–108 via ResearchGate.
  8. "Annual number of abortions stable over the past decade".
  9. "World Abortion Policies 2013". United Nations. 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  10. Goenee, Maaike; Donker, Gé; Wijsen, Ciel (2015-11-01). "Anticonceptie voor en na ongewenste zwangerschap". Huisarts en wetenschap (in Dutch). 58 (11): 599–599. doi:10.1007/s12445-015-0315-y. ISSN   1876-5912.