Hospitals not doing enough to advise parents of babies with Down syndrome

Couples feel pressured to have an abortion when other options aren’t offered

Several hospital doctors and administrators have admitted they have failed parents with Down Syndrome. For many years, the advice to expectant parents has too often been to have an abortion.

“It is quite clear they have not been understood or listened to,” Sonja Kindt, the head doctor at the Hospitalenhed Midts women’s section, told DR Nyheder. “It becomes a question of right and wrong, and of course that is not what it is.”

Kindt said that she “regrets” that parents have not received the answers that they need.

READ MORE: Down Syndrome heading for extinction in Denmark

No choices offered
Rules established by Sundhedsstyrelsen, the board of health,  say that parents should be given what they need to make an informed choice.

Parents say that in many cases they are not being given information, just an appointment for an abortion.

“I didn’t feel that anyone listened to me,” Maja Rand, a parent of a child with Down Syndrome, told DR Nyheder. “The advice from the hospital was to terminate the pregnancy.”

Doctors at hospitals in Randers and Horsens also said they had failed the parents of children with Down Syndrome.

“This is incredibly distressing to hear,” Jette Seidelin, the head doctor at Hospitalsenhed Horsens, told DR Nyheder. “It is important to us that couples get the information they need to make the right decision, and that has not been happening in this situation.”

Seidelin denied that hospitals were attempting to discourage parents from having children with Down Syndrome.

“That is certainly not our intention,” said Seidelin.

Sundhedsstyrelsen said it will insist the guidelines for advising parents dealing with the potential of a child being born with Down Syndrome are complied with.




  • Photo story: Meet the internationals at Reffen Street Food

    Photo story: Meet the internationals at Reffen Street Food

    The weather is brightening and Reffen Street Food – an open-air market out on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen – is gearing up for a busy summer. With a multitude of stands from all around the world, the market is packed with talented international entrepreneurs and chefs.

  • 9 out of 10 new hires in Denmark are internationals

    9 out of 10 new hires in Denmark are internationals

    Internationals account for as much as 87 percent of the growth in national employment, according to new figures from Dansk Industri.

  • Volunteering – a way into Danish communities

    Volunteering – a way into Danish communities

    As an international arriving to Denmark, finding social connections is hard. That’s why the International House Copenhagen organized a volunteer night, to find a perfect match to connect and contribute to the Danish society.

  • The future of work in Denmark and the EU

    The future of work in Denmark and the EU

    With the European Parliament elections in June, and skilled labour shortages being felt across the EU, political debate on the future of work and migration has intensified. Here, Kathrine Richter, EP candidate for the pan-European political party Volt, talks about whether Denmark is doing enough to reform its labour market and compete with other member states to attract foreign professionals.

  • Sweden’s failed integration stirs strong emotion in Danish parallel societies debate

    Sweden’s failed integration stirs strong emotion in Danish parallel societies debate

    A remarkable speech by the immigration speaker of Socialdemokratiet sparks fierce debate in the leading government party.

  • Restaurants call out Danish diners’ behaviour

    Restaurants call out Danish diners’ behaviour

    Copenhagen restaurants are seeing high rates of no-show reservations, according to the hospitality trade association Horesta. Several sector workers argue that no-shows should pay a cash penalty.