UNINTENDED PREGNANCY
In Luxembourg, every person has the right to freedom of choice, without constraints, to end or continue a pregnancy. If the person does not want to pursue the pregnancy, she can resort to the voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP), i.e. abortion.
❗Voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) is not a contraceptive method.
VTP is legal in Luxembourg if it is performed under certain conditions: it must be performed before the end of the 12th week of pregnancy (14th week of amenorrhea. Amenorrhea is defined as the absence of period). Beyond 12 weeks of pregnancy, you are free to go to another country of the European Union to terminate your pregnancy. The legal delays vary from one country to another.
You can find more information about the national abortion policies of the different countries at the following link: European Abortion Policies Atlas.
Important: a 3-day reflection period between the 1st gynaecological appointment and the VTP is mandatory. During the first gynaecological appointment, an ultrasound scan will be performed to date the pregnancy more accurately, i.e. determine when the pregnancy started, and also, where the embryo or foetus is located. During the ultrasound scan, no image or sound will be shown to the patient wishing to terminate their pregnancy. These medical procedures are done to ensure that the following procedure is carried out in the best possible conditions.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
There are two different types of VTPs:
- The medication abortion
- The surgical abortion.
Both methods can be performed until the 12th week of pregnancy (14th week of amenorrhea).
THE MEDICATION ABORTION
This type of VTP involves taking 2 pills 48 hours apart.
The first one, Mifepristone, blocks the action of progesterone, a hormone which, among other things, allows to maintain the pregnancy in the uterus via the endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterus. Mifepristone intake will lead to endometrial detachment. It’s the same mechanism that takes place when the endometrium detaches itself during menstruation.
The second pill, misoprostol, will lead to uterine contractions to expel the embryo and the endometrium. This usually occurs about 12 hours after taking the pill.
Medication abortion can be performed by a general practitioner or a gynaecologist.
The medication abortion can also be done at home, following the advice of a general practitioner or a gynaecologist, but only under specific medical supervision.
Caution, the medication used for VTPs, also called abortion pills, are not emergency pills. For more information, go to the ‘emergency pill’ page.
THE SURGICAL ABORTION
Also known as surgical termination of pregnancy, this procedure requires a general anaesthesia. A few hours before the procedure (around 3 hours), the doctor will insert 2 pills of misoprostol into the vagina to dilate the cervix. The misoprostol will facilitate the introduction of a cannula (a tube) into the vagina and the uterus. This medical device is used to aspirate the uterus contents, i.e. the embryo or foetus and the endometrium. This procedure usually lasts less than half an hour.
A curettage is possible if the cannula has not fully succeeded. In some cases, biological residues (e.g. placental residues) may remain and must then be removed. During a curettage a spoon-shaped medical device will be introduced and complete the abortion if necessary.
Gynaecologist are the only professionals allowed to perform a surgical abortion.
WHERE CAN YOU HAVE A VTP?
The medication abortion can be performed:
At the Family Planning: up to 6 weeks of pregnancy (8 weeks of amenorrhea)
At a hospital: up to 12 weeks of pregnancy (14 weeks of amenorrhea).
The surgical abortion must be performed:
At a hospital
HOW MUCH DOES A VTP COST?
Voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG) is covered at 100% by the CNS. However, in the case of a surgical abortion, a fee of €25.50 (insured person’s contribution) is charged to the patient.
Anyone not covered by the CNS should contact a healthcare professional directly for more information on costs.