Portugal is one of the three European countries where the gestational age at which voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG) can be carried out in 10 weeks and six days, said specialist Ana Campos at a press conference, attended by Maria José Alves and Idalina Rodrigues, doctors who were involved in the fight for the decriminalisation of abortion.

Ana Campos pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends 12 weeks, in a UMAR press conference at the February 11, 2007 referendum for the decriminalisation of abortion and the application of the law, defending Portugal should “follow these decisions and change the law to 12 weeks”.

“I think we shouldn’t be afraid of people having abortions later, because we know, as women, that when the decision is made, it needs to be done as quickly as possible”, maintained the obstetrician.

Ana Campos considers the three-day reflection period should no longer be mandatory.

“We don’t want women to wait because they have already decided, but there are some who want and need to wait. So, the three-day waiting period should not be mandatory, but optional”, she explained at the UMAR press conference.