OLVG hospital starts late abortions between 22 and 24 weeks
The OLVG hospital in Amsterdam has started a trial for performing late 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 subject in society.
Until now, it was often difficult for women in this specific stage of their pregnancy to find care in the Netherlands. Many hospitals did not perform these procedures, which sometimes forced women to travel abroad for help. With the start of this trial, the OLVG aims to improve care for this group of patients and offer it closer to home.
The decision to terminate a pregnancy after 22 weeks is always based on medical necessity. It often involves situations where there are severe fetal abnormalities or health risks to the mother. Doctors and ethicists therefore examine each individual case very carefully before proceeding with a procedure.
The medical community and politicians are closely monitoring the trial at the OLVG. The intention is that the experiences from this process will provide insight into how this complex care can be better organized in the future. The hospital emphasizes that the diligence and quality of the treatment remain the top priority in this process.