Unplanned pregnancy

An unplanned pregnancy can trigger a range of emotions, from joy to fear and feeling overwhelmed. The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to deal with this situation alone. There are free, confidential counseling services that offer you independent support without any pressure to make a specific decision. Find out where you can get help and who you can turn to if you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy.

It's perfectly normal to feel unsettled by an unexpected pregnancy. Perhaps your life plans look very different right now:

• Do you feel too young or too old to have a child?
• Do you have personal or professional plans where there seems to be no room for a child?
• Are you in the midst of a relationship conflict or a separation?
• Don’t want to raise your child alone?
• Or do you simply not feel ready (yet) to take on the responsibility of a child in your current situation?

There are many reasons why a pregnancy might not bring joy, but instead trigger a feeling of rejection at first. It’s not uncommon for women in this situation to be plunged into an emotional turmoil of intense conflict.

It takes understanding and time to accept the emotional roller coaster and come to terms with the new situation. Talking to someone you trust—such as your best friend—can help you make sense of your fears and worries. But especially in difficult life situations, you sometimes need the professional expertise of a neutral person to figure out how to move forward.

Good to know: Every woman has the right to counseling on all issues related to her pregnancy. Pregnant women should be free to decide whether to have a child.

A good first point of contact is the central helpline 0800 40 40 020. 

Here you will find more information about this counseling service.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, more than 200 state-approved pregnancy counseling centers offer free counseling. Here, you’ll always find someone willing to listen for an open-ended conversation about any questions you may have regarding pregnancy and potential conflicts. All consultations are confidential and can be conducted anonymously upon request.

Pregnancy counseling centers offer advice and assistance with all questions related to pregnancy and parenthood:

• Information on all matters related to family planning, pregnancy, and childbirth
• Information on social assistance for pregnant women
• Support with applying for financial assistance
• Support in finding housing
• Support in finding childcare for the expected child.

Pregnancy counseling centers also help arrange unbureaucratic financial assistance from the Federal Mother and Child Foundation. You can download a brochure about the Federal Mother and Child Foundation on this page.

You can find a counseling center near you on the website of the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG).

You can choose from counseling services offered by welfare organizations, churches, districts, and municipalities. Feel free to select the service provider with which you feel most comfortable. Please note that not all counseling centers issue a referral for pregnancy conflict counseling for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy, as this may not align with their respective mission statements.

If you’re unsure whether you want to or are able to have the child and are considering an abortion, you can receive valuable support through pregnancy conflict counseling. Here, you won’t be left alone with your worries and fears. Especially if you’re torn—perhaps you even want children, just not right now or not with this partner—experienced professionals can help you explore options without pressuring you. This makes the decision-making process easier.

If you are considering terminating a pregnancy, you can receive confidential, non-judgmental counseling at state-approved pregnancy conflict counseling centers, followed by a counseling certificate. There must be a period of three full calendar days between the issuance of the counseling certificate and the termination of the pregnancy.

The counseling certificate is a prerequisite for a legal termination of pregnancy.

You don’t have to make a decision right away. It’s important to take a moment to breathe and gather your thoughts so you can make a well-considered decision. If you’re considering an abortion, you should know: In Germany, under the counseling regulations, an abortion is generally permitted without criminal liability within the first 12 weeks after conception. As mentioned earlier, this requires pregnancy conflict counseling and a certificate confirming it. The sooner you seek counseling, the more time you’ll have to take the next steps.

If you have decided to terminate your pregnancy, you need to consider where and how the abortion should be performed. Sources of information for women remain limited, as doctors in Germany are not allowed to publicly disclose whether they offer this procedure.  

There are various methods for terminating a pregnancy. Which method is appropriate depends, among other things, on how far along the pregnancy is. A distinction is made between medical and surgical methods. You should find out in advance exactly which method your doctor or the treating clinic offers.

Medical abortion is possible up to the 63rd day after the first day of your last menstrual period. A medical abortion requires two or three doctor’s visits—including a follow-up examination—within approximately 14 days.

Suction aspiration and dilation and curettage (D&C) are surgical methods. Both are typically performed on an outpatient basis at a clinic or doctor’s office. After the procedure and a short rest period, you can go home. Surgical abortion can be performed under brief general anesthesia or local anesthesia.

Detailed information on medical methods can be found on the portal Familienplanung.de from the Federal Institute for Public Health.

Abortion is generally not covered by health insurance. If you have sufficient income and assets, you are responsible for covering the costs yourself. However, if this represents an unreasonable financial burden for you, the state may cover the costs of the abortion. To do so, you must submit an application to your health insurance provider. For more information, see the fact sheet “Coverage of Abortion Costs in Special Cases”.