Lene Venge knows both what it is like to have an abortion and what it is like to lose the fetus involuntarily. She does not understand why the government does not legislate follow-up in both cases. – I think no one explains well enough how much physical pain you will have when it comes to an abortion. Lene Venge as pregnant, when she gave birth to her first son. After him, she has had many miscarriages. Photo: Privat / news Venge missed someone to talk to outside the family and more information when she had the first abortions. – An abortion is, after all, a kind of birth. You have to go through everything that goes with contractions and pain, and it’s not pleasant. – That follow-up should certainly have been there for those who undergo miscarriage as well. Proposal for a new abortion law For the first time in 50 years, the government has proposed changes to the abortion law. Among other things, they promise better support and help for women who have abortions. On the other hand, nothing is said about women who lose their fetus involuntarily. This despite the fact that the Storting in 2020 promised help and follow-up to these women. Many people who have been through an abortion want someone to talk to, but don’t get it, says general manager of Amathea, Andrea Skaarer Kreutz. Many people want someone to talk to, but don’t get it, says general manager of Amathea Andrea Skaarer Kreutz. Photo: Anders Haualand / news Amathea is a state-funded health service that will help pregnant women who are either considering an abortion or have had one. – Amathea did a survey in 2023 where eight out of ten women who contacted us after an abortion. They said that they needed follow-up. Only one in ten received an offer from the hospital. It shows that the offer is too poor. – Can’t tell the difference. Several take the floor for the same as Lene Venge. Among them is senior physician at the Institute of Public Health, Mette Løkeland-Stai. – You cannot distinguish between the two groups and single out one group in particular. Senior physician at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Mette Løkeland-Stai, believes that you cannot distinguish between the two groups Photo: Jon Petrusson / news She believes that women who visit the health service before or after an abortion should receive follow-up for the problems they have, and the care they need . This is regardless of the type of abortion they have had or experienced. – It is a different experience among women who have an abortion how they are looked after. She clarifies that there are also women who do not want either help or follow-up either before or after the abortion. – Promise to do something Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre says that in the new abortion law the focus is on women who have had an abortion to have someone to talk to afterwards, if they wish. – This is very important, because there are a number of women today who say that they feel left to their own devices after they have had an abortion. And now they get a statutory right to follow-up afterwards, says Vestre. But this only applies after self-determined abortions. Vestre says that if there are women who miscarry and do not receive adequate health care or psychological support, he wants to know. – If someone feels that they are not getting it today, well, then I will promise that we will do something about it. Nevertheless, he does not want to legislate this aid in the major abortion law which is now being submitted to the Storting. – This law regulates planned and carried out abortions. There are many things in the health services that are covered by other types of health legislation. The Abortion Act will be debated in the Storting this autumn. An news count shows that there is a majority in the Storting in favor of the government’s proposal. These are some of the changes in the new abortion law: The limit for self-determined abortion will be raised from 12 to 18 weeks The pregnant woman must decide for herself whether she wants a fetal reduction up to week 18, if she is pregnant with multiple foetuses. Today, a tribunal decides this. Aid and support for self-determined abortions are required by law. They strengthen the right to self-determination for people with disabilities. Today’s 23 abortion boards are reduced to 5-10 dependent boards. Major political disagreement. Many in the Center Party disagree with most of the new abortion law. Health policy spokesperson Lisa Marie Ness Klungland supports the government in legislating only follow-up for women who choose to have an abortion. – It is important that one receives information, guidance and help. Both when you experience a miscarriage, and when you experience an induced abortion. Therefore, I expect healthcare personnel to follow up on both situations. KrF deputy chairman Ida Lindtveit Røse believes the government has so far only weakened the offer for pregnant women who lose their fetus or have an abortion. KrF deputy chairman Ida Lindtveit Røse believes the government has so far only weakened the offer for pregnant women who want or have an abortion. Photo: Christian Breidlid / Christian Breidlid – They have weakened Amathea and other types of aid for women in this difficult situation. I hope that it is not just a change in the law, but that it takes on real meaning. Amathea received NOK 6 million less from the state budget last year. Vestre says that offer is strengthened with the new law. Lene Venge believes it is not possible to distinguish between the follow-up of women who either have an abortion or lose the fetus. – The emptiness that I think many people feel after a miscarriage, not getting help to deal with it. It is very special that they do not take that into account in their assessment. Published 29/08/2024, at 12.41
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Responds to the fact that help after miscarriage is not legislated – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
