Fundamentally, having an abortion is against the law in Germany, but there are several ways to obtain one without risking punishment. An abortion is possible for example if there is a health risk for the mother or the child, or if the woman was raped. If there are other reasons, a woman can have a termination within 12 weeks of becoming pregnant. Before getting an appointment, however, the woman is required to have a so-called consultation: a talk with a health professional or family councillor. In southern Germany, this service often used to be provided by the Catholic Church. In 2000 this was changed. Interestingly, not because the women protested, but because the Church felt it shouldn’t perform a service that made an abortion legally possible.
An abortion is not easy to obtain and there are considerable differences within Germany. Dornheim describes how difficult it is to get an abortion in Bavaria and that many women have to travel from Bavaria to Berlin in order to get one. Doctors in Bavaria need to pay a fee in order to be licenced to give abortions. This rule is unique to Bavaria and has greatly reduced the already small number of doctors willing to do abortions. In Berlin more than a hundred doctors are listed as giving abortions whereas in Munich there are only four. In theory there should be more doctors available in Munich, but a third of those who are licensed are over sixty and a quarter are over seventy. Younger doctors generally don’t buy the license. Another important factor is that abortion is generally not covered in medical studies in Germany. In 2015 Alicia Baier founded the German branch of Medical Students for Choice. They campaign for abortion to be integrated into the curriculum of medical studies. They also organise workshops with doctors so that students have access to the necessary information. (2)
About 100 000 pregnancies are terminated each year in Germany. The figures naturally vary from year to year, but have remained fairly constant for the last five years. In former East Germany there are more abortions than in the more conservative South. Interestingly, in former East Germany more women have terminations, who are already mothers, whereas in the South women tend to be younger and have a termination before they have started a family.
Dornheim’s own experience is interesting, not only because of the legal and other difficulties she describes, but also on an emotional level. She had just started a relationship when she got pregnant and wasn’t sure whether it would last. She also felt insecure about her professional future. When Dornheim turned to her mother (who got pregnant at 19) she thought her mother would tell her to go ahead with the pregnancy. Instead, her mother asked her to carefully consider her current situation and whether it was a good time for her to have a child. And if it wasn’t, she should postpone motherhood. Dornheim’s experience shows that society often leaves the responsibility of a child solely with the mother. Maybe you think Dornheim’s mother should have been more supportive, but quite possibly she was just being realistic.
Unintended pregnancies do not only have a detrimental effect on the mother’s psychological health. Studies also show that feeling unwanted leaves its mark on the children and that they suffer long-term effects. And the effects are considerable.
Dornheim’s book will be published next spring.
(1) Dornheim's own webpage offers information on the legal situation in Germany. There are also links to information in four other languages: English, Türkish, Italian, Spanish
(2) Again, there appear to be considerable differences within Germany. Medical Students for Choice was founded in Berlin where the organisation is most active. There are nine affiliated organisations at other universities that also campaign but don’t seem to offer workshops.