Ruut Veenhoven
Published in Dutch in: 'Huisarts en Wetenschap', vol. 16, pp. 86-89, 1973
ABSTRACT
In drafting a new abortion law for the near future, a number of practical considerations
concerning adequate aid will have to be taken into account. Adequate aid demands smooth,
simple treatment in an accepting climate. When this is lacking, so that women must go
through laborious procedures in order to receive cumbersome treatment from a physician who
cannot really accept full responsibility for the intervention, mishaps are bound to occur.
Medical mishaps in the form of complications and a high illegal abortion rate;
psychological mishaps in the form of post-abortion depressions. Numerous studies have
clearly demonstrated this. It would therefore be exceedingly ill-advised to introduce, in
the new legislation, mandatory consultation of an abortion team or other measures
inconsistent with the advanced methods of treatment evolved in Netherlands abortion
clinics.