OLVG hospital begins late-term abortions between 22 and 24 weeks
The OLVG hospital in Amsterdam has started a pilot program for performing late-term abortions. This concerns pregnancy terminations between the 22nd and 24th week. Although this medical procedure is legally permitted in the Netherlands, it remains a sensitive topic in society.
In the Netherlands, abortion is legal up to the 24th week of pregnancy. Until now, procedures after the 22nd week were rarely performed in regular hospitals in practice. Women who chose an abortion at this stage of their pregnancy often had to turn to specialized clinics or go abroad.
The hospital emphasizes that the decision for a late-term abortion is always made with great care. There are often serious medical reasons involved, such as fetal abnormalities or health problems for the mother. By now offering the procedure at OLVG, the hospital hopes to make care for these patients more accessible and closer to home.
The start of this pilot has prompted various reactions. Proponents point to the importance of quality medical care and a woman's freedom of choice, while opponents raise ethical questions regarding the stage of pregnancy. The hospital indicates that they will closely monitor how the procedure progresses and what the impact is on the provision of care in the coming period.