Abortion pill: Treatment and options in Dutch abortion clinics

The abortion pill is a treatment available at our abortion clinics in Amsterdam and Haarlem. This treatment is suitable for pregnancies up to eight weeks. The abortion pill consists of two different pills that cause the pregnancy to stop and then be rejected. The treatment takes place in two stages. At the clinic, you take an abortion pill called Mifegyne, which causes the pregnancy to stop growing. Next, you are given four pills to take home called misoprostol, which you insert vaginally. This causes the pregnancy to be shed. After inserting the pills, it can take up to 24 hours for the rejection to begin. This may be accompanied by pain and blood loss. The bleeding and pain may be longer and more severe than during a normal period. It is therefore wise to take a painkiller immediately after taking the pills.

After the abortion pill treatment, you may experience abdominal pain and blood loss; these symptoms gradually subside. It is important to contact us if your symptoms do not subside or if you do not feel well. There is a small chance that the treatment may fail, in which case a second treatment with the abortion pill will be necessary. Using the abortion pills can be an intense experience for some women, so it is important to always have an grown up with you who is aware of the abortion and can look after you. After treatment, you may experience bleeding, abdominal pain, elevation, emotional instability, diarrhoea or nausea. These symptoms usually disappear within a few days to two weeks.

Why do some women choose abortion in the Netherlands?

Some women choose abortion in the Netherlands for several reasons. First, abortion is legal in the Netherlands and women can decide for themselves up to 22 weeks of pregnancy whether to continue or terminate their pregnancy. This is not the case in all countries, where abortion is prohibited or allowed only under certain circumstances. Therefore, some women from countries where abortion is not legal come to the Netherlands for a safe and legal abortion. In addition, the stigma surrounding abortion may also play a role in some countries. Women may fear the judgement of others and therefore choose to have an abortion in the Netherlands where there is more understanding and acceptance. It may also be that the legal treatment period in the home country has expired and the Netherlands is the only option. For example, Germany allows abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy and France up to 14 weeks. In Poland, termination of pregnancy is currently almost impossible, so many Polish women opt for abortion in the Netherlands.

Abortion in the Netherlands

Some women choose abortion in the Netherlands for several reasons. First, abortion is legal in the Netherlands and women can decide for themselves up to 22 weeks of pregnancy whether to continue or terminate their pregnancy. This is not the case in all countries, where abortion is prohibited or allowed only under certain circumstances. Therefore, some women from countries where abortion is not legal come to the Netherlands for a safe and legal abortion. In addition, the stigma surrounding abortion may also play a role in some countries. Women may fear the judgement of others and therefore choose to have an abortion in the Netherlands where there is more understanding and acceptance. It may also be that the legal treatment period in the home country has expired and the Netherlands is the only option. For example, Germany allows abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy and France up to 14 weeks. In Poland, termination of pregnancy is currently almost impossible, so many Polish women opt for abortion in the Netherlands.

During which period is it possible to use an abortion pill?

The abortion pill can be used in the early period of pregnancy, usually up to 8 weeks. It is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible if you are considering using an abortion pill. The doctor will examine you to determine the exact duration of the pregnancy and to confirm whether you are eligible to use the abortion pill. It is essential to make this decision after careful consideration and with appropriate medical guidance. Contact a healthcare professional for more information and advice on abortion and the options available.