Abortion or giving a child up for adoption

Under the law, a pregnancy may be terminated until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy if the pregnant woman so wishes.

At the request of a pregnant person, a pregnancy may also be terminated after the twelfth week of pregnancy when continuing pregnancy or giving birth to a child would endanger the pregnant person’s life or health. In this case, an abortion requires a favourable decision from two doctors.

With Valvira’s permission a termination of pregnancy is possible until the 20th week of pregnancy in cases laid down in law, including social reasons. If the foetus has been diagnosed with a severe illness or bodily defect, an abortion is possible until the 24th week of pregnancy.

If you are considering the termination of a pregnancy or have already requested one, you and the other parent have the right to receive psychosocial support if necessary. The need for support may arise when considering the termination of a pregnancy and weighing different options as well as after an abortion.

If you think that you can give birth to the child but cannot or do not want to keep the child, you can give the child up for adoption. If a child who is born during marriage is given up for adoption, consent is required from both parents. If the paternity of a child born out of wedlock has been confirmed, consent from the father is required for the adoption permission.

Talk about your thoughts to give the child up for adoption at the maternity clinic. 

You and your partner will be provided abortion counselling free of charge. After counselling, you msy also decide to keep the child.

After the child has been born, you have a discretionary period of eight weeks. During that time the baby is in short-term family care. Written consent for adoption cannot be signed until the discretionary period of eight weeks has ended. If necessary, the discretionary period can be extended. 

When you decide to give the child up for adoption, you cannot cancel the decision later.