If you are pregnant but did not plan to be, you have 5 options. You can freely decide which option to choose:
If you decide to continue the pregnancy, you can:
- Keep the baby;
If you decide to keep the baby you have to arrange and prepare a lot of things before and after the birth of your child. Make an appointment with a midwife as soon as possible. - Give up the baby for adoption:
This means the child always lives with another family. In the case of adoption, the child gets the surname of the adoptive parents. You no longer have custody of the child. - In the Netherlands, it is possible to give birth anonymously or give birth under a pseudonym. You can also anonymously leave your baby in a “foundling room” (vondelingenkamer). For more information, visit fiom.nl.
- If you are pregnant and do not want to have a baby, you can terminate the pregnancy by getting an abortion. In the Netherlands, abortion is allowed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. This has been established in law because a child of up to 24 weeks cannot live outside the uterus. In practice, an abortion is usually done up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. Before you can have an abortion, you have a consultation with a general practitioner or other doctor to help you make a decision.
Contraception
To prevent an unintended pregnancy, you can use contraception.
More information or help needed?
General practitioner
You can talk to a general practitioner about every intimate topic. If necessary, a general practitioner can refer you to a specialised health professional. Refugees who have been granted (temporary) asylum choose a general practitioner in their municipality. Asylum seekers in an asylum seekers’ centre can consult a general practitioner at the centre.
Out-of-hours GP service
You can call the out-of-hours GP service (huisartsenpost) in the evening or at the weekend. You can visit it if you need urgent care. “Urgent” means the health problem cannot wait until the next working day of your own general practitioner. When you call, a decision is made whether you need to visit the out-of-hours GP service.
Sense.info
If you are younger than 25, you can contact Sense with questions about contraception, sexuality and STIs. You can do this via email, telephone, online chat or by making an appointment for the Sense consultation hours.
Dealing with abortion - Siriz
Information and support for dealing with the psychological consequences of abortion. The work of Siriz is based on the belief that from the start unborn life has the right to develop further and be born.
Dealing with abortion - Fiom
Information and support for dealing with the psychological consequences of abortion. Please note: this website is only available in Dutch.
Foster care
Foster care is an option if you are (temporarily) unable to care for your child.
Abortion
You can have an abortion if you have an unwanted pregnancy and want to terminate the pregnancy.
Adoption
The national organization of education, preparation and aftercare of adoption.
Giving up a child for adoption - 'foundling rooms'
In a 'foundling room' (vondelingenkamer), you can give up your child anonymously.
Gynaecologist
If you are pregnant and have been given a referral, you go to a gynaecologist. The midwife or general practitioner gives you a referral.
Midwife
As soon as you know you are pregnant, you make an appointment with a midwife in your area. A midwife supports and advises you during your pregnancy, delivery and the period immediately after delivery.