The pregnancy conflict counseling (synonym: pregnancy conflict counseling, SKB) is a counseling procedure, which should give pregnant women the opportunity to talk about the reasons that lead to the desire to terminate a pregnancy. Pregnancy conflict counseling is regulated by law in section 219 of the German Penal Code (StGB) and is obligatory for pregnant women who are considering terminating a pregnancy. Within the framework of the counseling, the continuation of the pregnancy is to be encouraged. However, justifications on the part of the pregnant woman regarding her decision are in no way part of the counseling. Also, the naming of the reasons or a change in the already made decision are not required in the counseling of the pregnant woman.
Indications (areas of application)
- Abortion without indication – Abortion may be performed both without and with indication. To perform abortion without indication, the legally required pregnancy conflict counseling with subsequent certification is required. Furthermore, abortion is legally possible only until the end of the twelfth week of pregnancy. The abortion may only be performed by a physician. In the case of an abortion with a criminological or medical indication, counseling is not required by law. However, the affected pregnant woman can use the confidential counseling free of charge.
- Help and supports in case of conflicts – Even without the desire to abort, the counseling of pregnant women is possible at any time. In case of differing opinions in the partnership on the pregnancy or difficult financial situation, there is the possibility of counseling by trained and subject to confidentiality staff.
- Pregnancy conflict counseling for men – Men who are overwhelmed with the situation of becoming a father or disagree about the abortion with their partner, can also get professional help in the context of conflict counseling.
Before counseling
Before conducting counseling on pregnancy conflict by a counseling center, the pregnant woman has the option to involve other people for counseling. In addition to friends and family, close physicians such as the family doctor or gynecologist can serve as possible counselors for the pregnant woman. Regardless of prior counseling by others, counseling by counseling centers with state recognition remains a legal requirement for terminating a pregnancy without indication.
The procedure
In a personal conversation in a recognized pregnancy conflict counseling center, depending on the wishes of the pregnant woman in the presence of her partner or another person, the pregnant woman should, in addition to clarifying the case of conflict, also receive information about financial and social assistance. With the help of these measures within the framework of the counseling, which are absolutely confidential, the pregnant woman should be facilitated to continue the pregnancy. In addition to conflict clarification on an emotional, partnership and life planning level, pregnancy conflict counseling also includes information on social benefits and other financial support (such as parental benefits and child benefits), as well as aspects of medical education regarding abortion. The costs and financing of an abortion with regard to the income of the person concerned are also discussed during the consultation. A referral to midwives, gynecologists (gynecologists) and other specialties is possible upon request.
After the consultation
There must be at least three days between the counseling and the termination of the pregnancy, so that the abortion may take place no earlier than the fourth day after the completed counseling. Further guidance
- A longitudinal study of 667 women with an average age of 25 years from 21 U.S. states who had had an abortion at baseline showed that 85% of the women had either positive emotions about the procedure five years after the abortion or none at all. Ninety-five percent described the abortion as the right decision.
