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Table 3 Abortion legislation and funding

From: Explaining variation in Down’s syndrome screening uptake: comparing the Netherlands with England and Denmark using documentary analysis and expert stakeholder interviews

 

The Netherlands

United Kingdom*

Denmark

Termination of pregnancy (TOP) for social reasons

Legal until 24 weeks gestation

Legal until 24 weeks gestation

Legal until 12 weeks gestation

TOP for fetal anomalies

After 24 weeks only in very limited cases

No gestational limit if there is a substantial risk the child would suffer from such physical or mental abnormality as to be seriously handicapped

Permitted up to 22 weeks if there is a substantial risk that the child would suffer from severe mental or physical abnormality

Payment for TOP

Free at the point of delivery

Free at the point of delivery

Free at the point of delivery

  1. *Data for England only available at United Kingdom level i.e. the four countries including England.