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When the authorities can't know

Are you afraid that the municipality, your doctor or other authorities will find out that you are pregnant? Here is some advice about what you can do and who can help.

If you hold a Danish civil registration (CPR) number you have the right to a number of free healthcare services until the time of the birth. These include scans, antenatal education and regular consultations by doctors and midwives.

If you don’t have the yellow medical card (CPR number) you can get emergency help from public healthcare services and from a number of health clinics.

However, not all women take advantage of these offers. Like yourself, some women choose to hide their pregnancy from the municipality, doctors and other authorities.

The reasons for this vary. Some worry that the child will be removed at birth, others are in the country illegally and therefore fear being deported if discovered.

Option of anonymous and confidential help

No matter what the reason is that you don’t want the authorities to know about your situation right now, it can be a lonely and unsafe situation to be in.

Being on your guard all the time (e.g. if you have regular meetings with a social worker) can be a great burden. At the same time, it is quite natural to worry about whether the pregnancy is progressing as it should.

Remember, you have the option of seeking anonymous and confidential help. We have listed a number of options below, whether you are considering an abortion or going ahead with the pregnancy.

These are your options if you are considering an abortion

If you do not hold a yellow medical card
Even if you do not have a yellow medical card, you can still get a free and impartial support call about abortion from Holdepunkt, Mødrehjælpen’s nationwide counselling service. It is possible to get the call in English, but if you do not speak either Danish or English you are encouraged to have an interpreter for the call. You can contact Holdepunkt here.

You also have the opportunity to contact The Health Clinics for Undocumented Migrants in Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen. They can advice you on how you can have an abortion. At the clinics you can have an abortion performed until the 8th week of pregnancy. If you are further along than 8 weeks contact the clinic so they will help you find a solution.

If you are a sex worker or a victim of trafficking, Ami Ami and Reden International offer advice and guidance on matters related to pregnancy and abortion.

Read more about abortion here.
If you have a Danish civil registration (CPR) number
Holdepunkt, Mødrehjælpen’s nationwide counselling service, offers a free and independent support call if you have doubts about abortion. The call can help you on the right path to making the choice that is right for you.

You can also talk to Holdepunkt’s counsellors about the fears you have about the authorities discovering your pregnancy. They have great knowledge of the relevant rules and can guide you in terms of what your rights are, etc. You can contact Holdepunkt here.

If you decide that abortion is the right choice for you, you have the option to have it done within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you are further along than that special circumstances are required to have an abortion approved.

Up to week 8, the abortion is done by you taking some pills. This is called a medical abortion.

A medical abortion can be carried out with complete discretion by a gynaecologist, without requiring a referral from your own doctor. If you don’t have a referral, you must pay for the abortion yourself.

Abortions performed later than week eight are typically done surgically in a hospital.

Read more about abortion here.

If you do not hold a yellow medical card
If you do not have a yellow medical card because you are staying in the country illegally, or are waiting for a residence permit, you can contact one of The Health Clinics for Undocumented Migrants in Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen. Here, you can have tests and scans done during the pregnancy and get a medical record. The clinic can advise you in relation to the birth.

If you are a sex worker or a victim of trafficking, Ami Ami and Reden International offer assistance in connection with pregnancy. Here, you can have tests and scans done during the pregnancy and get a medical record. The clinics can advise you in relation to the birth.

Read more about how to take care of yourself during the pregnancy.
If you have a Danish civil registration (CPR) number
When pregnant, it is important that you think of your own and the child’s health.

When you find out that you are pregnant, you should contact your doctor immediately. If you are not comfortable going to your own doctor, you can choose to contact another general practitioner. The doctor will help you get the necessary examinations throughout pregnancy. The examinations typically take place at the doctor’s office or with a midwife in a hospital.

Read more on this page, where you will also find more information about how the help can be anonymous.

How can I give birth as discrete as possible?

If you know you want to go ahead with the pregnancy, then this particular question might be a concern to you.

Very few people will be comfortable giving birth alone, and it is highly recommended to have healthcare professionals with you, as childbirth does not always proceed without complications.

When you arrive to give birth at a Danish hospital, the normal procedure is that a birth record is prepared and linked to your civil registration (CPR) number. In practice it is actually possible to give birth anonymously whether you have a Danish civil registration number or not.

If you ask to give birth anonymously, the hospital will provide you with a replacement civil registration number. The child that is born will also receive replacement civil registration number.

In order to set up a replacement civil registration number you will generally need to provide your date of birth, gender, full name and possibly also your address. This is because the hospital may need to get in touch with you afterwards.

You can get help here

Click on the region where you are, and see where you can get support and guidance or emergency help.

When the authorities can't know

Option of anonymous and confidential help

These are your options if you are considering an abortion

These are your options if you want to go ahead with the pregnancy

How can I give birth as discrete as possible?

You can get help here