What to do in the event of an unintended pregnancy?
If you are pregnant but did not plan to be, you have 3 options. You can freely decide which option to choose:
If you decide to continue the pregnancy, you can:
- keep the baby:
If you choose to keep the baby, you must arrange and prepare everything before and after the birth of your child. Make an appointment with your family doctor or gynaecologist as soon as possible. - give up the baby for adoption:
o Be aware of unreliable organisations. Consult official adoption agencies only.
o In the Netherlands and France, women can give birth anonymously. They do not have to give their name when they give birth or they can use a pseudonym. In Belgium, women cannot deliver anonymously.
o In Belgium (Antwerp), there is the baby hatch. You can safely leave the baby here in an emergency situation.
If you are pregnant and do not want to have a baby, you can terminate the pregnancy by getting an abortion. Abortion is possible until the 12th week of pregnancy. This is 14 weeks after the 1st day of your last menstrual period. Before you can get an abortion, you have to attend a counselling session. There is a legal reflection period of 6 days after this session. The abortion is performed after this reflection period.
Contraception
To prevent an unintended pregnancy, you can use contraception.
More information or help needed?
Family doctor
You can talk to a family doctor about almost every intimate issue. If necessary the family doctor can refer you to a specialised health professional. Find a family doctor in your neighbourhood:
Community health centre (wijkgezondheidscentrum)
You can visit a family doctor in a community health centre. Other care professionals such as nurses and social workers also work at community health centres. Care is provided free of charge. Find a community health centre in your neighbourhood:
Gynaecologist
In Belgium, you can make an appointment directly with the gynaecologist without a referral from your family doctor. However, your family doctor can help you find a gynaecologist.
Fara
Fara listens, provides information and guides you with pregnancy choices. Help with unintended pregnancy, young parenthood, tests before childbirth and coping after an abortion
016 38 69 50 (9-16h)
Parel
Help with questions about pregnancy and young parenthood.
0484 44 01 60
LUNA abortuscentrum Gent
Abortion clinic for a legal abortion or help with an unintended pregnancy
09 233 64 92
LUNA abortuscentrum Hasselt
Abortion clinic for a legal abortion or help with an unintended pregnancy
011 23 29 91
LUNA abortuscentrum Oostende
Abortion clinic for a legal abortion or help with an unintended pregnancy
059 80 57 11
LUNA abortuscentrum Antwerpen
Abortion clinic for a legal abortion or help with an unintended pregnancy
03 226 25 25
Sjerp-Dilemma (VUB)
Abortion clinic for a legal abortion or help with an unintended pregnancy
02 629 23 40
French-speaking abortion clinic
Abortion clinic for a legal abortion or help with an unintended pregnancy. Find a clinic in your neighbourhood:
Vlaams Centrum voor Adoptie
The central Flemish authority for adoption - Information on adoption and help with adoption procedures
02 533 14 76, 02 533 14 77 (Monday and Wednesday 14-16h, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30-12h)
Adoptiehuis
Adoption mediation services
03 232 24 52
Steunpunt Adoptie vzw
Information regarding adoption
078 15 13 27