[Psychosocial aspects of women applying for abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy].

In 1986, 595 women applied for termination of pregnancy after the twelfth week of pregnancy in Denmark. Permission for termination was given in 519 cases. The late terminations of pregnancy constituted 2.6% of the total number. Women who apply for termination of pregnancy after the twelfth week of pregnancy are younger and socially more stressed than the remainder of the women who obtain termination of pregnancy. Young age in the women and medical errors are important factors in connection with exceeding of the twelve week limit. If the number of late abortions is to be reduced, particular attention must be focussed on these factors.