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.
Until now, it was often difficult for women in this specific stage of their pregnancy to receive help in the Netherlands. Many hospitals did not perform these procedures, which sometimes forced women to travel abroad. With the start of this pilot, the OLVG aims to improve care for this group of patients and make it more accessible.
The decision to terminate a pregnancy after 22 weeks is only made in the Netherlands after a careful medical assessment. Usually, this involves severe fetal abnormalities or a significant risk to the mother's health. Doctors and ethicists closely supervise this process to ensure that all legal requirements are met.
The medical community and advocacy organizations are closely monitoring the developments at the Amsterdam hospital. The intention is for the experiences from this pilot to contribute to a better national guideline for late-term abortions. With this, the hospital hopes to provide more clarity and support to women facing a very difficult choice.