Government reform proposed for women’s post-abortion care in Norway

Lene Venge has experienced both abortion and spontaneous miscarriage, and she finds it perplexing that the government does not mandate follow-up care for women in both situations. She emphasizes that many women may not fully understand the physical pain associated with an abortion, as it resembles the process of childbirth, involving contractions and discomfort.

After her initial abortions, Venge felt a lack of support and information outside her family. She believes that proper follow-up care should also extend to those who undergo spontaneous miscarriages. The government has proposed changes to the abortion law for the first time in 50 years, pledging improved support for women who choose to have an abortion. However, there are no plans mentioned for women who experience miscarriages, despite promises made in 2020 for their care and support.

Andrea Skaarer Kreutz, the director of Amathea—a state-funded health service assisting pregnant women considering or who have undergone abortion—notes that a 2023 survey showed that eight out of ten women contacting Amathea wanted follow-up care after their abortion, yet only one in ten received assistance from hospitals, indicating a significant gap in available support.

Public health expert Mette Løkeland-Stai argues against separating the care provided for women between the two groups, advocating that all women seeking health services around the time of an abortion should receive the necessary support irrespective of their circumstances.

Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre confirmed that the new abortion law will guarantee women who have had an abortion a right to post-procedure support, yet this currently only applies to elective abortions. The law, which will be debated in Parliament this fall, is expected to pass, despite ongoing discussions about adequately addressing the needs of all women in these complex situations.