Abortion: until when?
Being unplanned pregnant can raise many questions. One of the most frequently asked questions is: until when can you have an abortion? On this page we explain the legal deadlines in the Netherlands, the number of weeks of pregnancy and your options. This will enable you to make a choice based on clear information that suits you and your situation.
Abortion until when
In the Netherlands, abortions may be performed until about 24 weeks of pregnancy. This legal deadline is linked to the viability limit of the fetus. In practice, each clinic varies up to how many weeks they treat. This has to do with medical guidelines, safety and the degree of specialized care required as the pregnancy progresses.
At Mildred Clinics you can get abortion treatment up to 18 weeks of pregnancy at our clinics in Arnhem and Eindhoven. If you are more than 18 weeks pregnant, we will refer you to specialized clinics, such as Bloemenhove Clinic in Amsterdam/Heemstede or the Vrelinghuis in Utrecht. They treat up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Since the change in the law, there is no longer a legal reflection period. You decide how much time you need to make a choice. You don’t have to see your doctor; you can contact the clinic directly.
Abortion up to how many weeks
Which abortion treatment is possible depends on how long you have been pregnant. You may not know this exactly yet, or you may not know when your last period was. That doesn’t matter. During your visit to the clinic we always make an ultrasound. This is how we determine how long you have been pregnant and which treatments are possible for you.
- Up to 9 weeks of pregnancy, you can opt for treatment with the abortion pill or suction treatment (curretage). The abortion pill is a medication-based treatment that is largely done at home.
- From 9 weeks, the abortion pill is no longer an option and a suction treatment better suits the duration of your pregnancy. This can be done up to 13 weeks of pregnancy. This treatment is done in the clinic, where you can choose local anesthesia or sedation.
- If you are 13 to 18 weeks pregnant, then only an instrumental treatment. This treatment is done in the clinic and always with sedation.
- Up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, you can visit specialized clinics in the Netherlands.
- Are you more than 22 weeks pregnant? Then an abortion in an abortion clinic is no longer possible. Consult with your family doctor, obstetrician or gynecologist whether a referral to the hospital is necessary.
Doubt and choices other than abortion
Are you unsure about what you want to do about pregnancy? It’s perfectly normal to need time to sort out your thoughts and feelings. An abortion is not the only possible choice in an unplanned pregnancy. Some people decide to continue the pregnancy, alone or with the support of others, or choose adoption or foster care.
There is room to discuss this during an intake interview, even if you haven’t made a decision yet. If you need additional support in making your choice, we can refer you to organizations such as the Information centre for unintended pregnancy. They offer independent guidance and help you to consider all the options calmly.
Want to know until when an abortion is possible for you, or just want a conversation? Then get in touch with us. We listen, without judgment, and with full attention to you.