1,600 women and couples have received fertility treatment for a second child this past year

Since December 1, 2024, families in Denmark have been able to receive publicly funded fertility treatment for a second child. At the Capital Region of Denmark’s four fertility clinics, staff have been busy helping many families make use of this new opportunity.

The Capital Region is actively implementing the new national scheme, which allows women and couples to access state-funded fertility treatment for their second child. Since the scheme came into effect on December 1, 2024, approximately one-third of all referrals to fertility treatment in the region have come from families who already have one child.

Chairman of the Regional Council, Lars Gaardhøj (S), is pleased on behalf of the expectant families and proud of the dedicated efforts by the staff and leadership at the region’s fertility clinics to successfully launch the new initiative.

“It was a major and very welcome announcement when the government and Danish Regions made it possible for families with one child to receive free assistance to expand their family with a little brother or sister. It’s no longer a family’s financial situation that decides who can afford fertility treatment. Our four fertility clinics have been busier than ever providing support for family growth, and they have done an outstanding job. I know that at times they’ve been under great pressure, and I want to thank all employees and leaders for their help to future mothers and families,” says Lars Gaardhøj.

A spring with more babies

It is not yet possible to report on how many women have become pregnant with their second child. However, in the Capital Region, about one-third of all referrals from general practitioners and specialists to fertility treatment have been for women and families who already have one child. Approximately 1,600 of the total 4,300 referrals for fertility treatment have thus been for families seeking a second child.

The fertility clinics have taken a number of steps to prepare for the increased demand, including extending opening hours and hiring additional staff to accommodate the growing number of treatments.

“Helping parents who have been unable to conceive on their own through IVF and ICSI treatments is incredibly rewarding work that we take great pride and joy in. So even though our staff have worked extra hard, it has also been a great privilege to help so many families fulfill their dream of having not only their first but also their second child,” says Anja Pinborg, chief consultant and professor at the Fertility Clinic at Rigshospitalet.

The region’s fertility clinics have invested in new equipment and technology, and several clinics have undergone minor renovations to better accommodate the many women and families who have applied for and received help since the scheme was expanded to include second children.

“The fact that we’ve been able to increase the number of treatments by nearly 50% without affecting waiting times is a huge credit to the dedicated staff at the region’s four clinics. We expected increased demand from families seeking fertility treatment, but I have still been impressed by how many we’ve been able to help since the scheme was expanded a year ago to also cover a second child,” says senior consultant and clinic director Bugge Nøhr from the Fertility Clinic at Herlev and Gentofte Hospital.

Fertility treatment in the Capital Region of Denmark

The Capital Region of Denmark has four fertility clinics located at: Amager and Hvidovre Hospital (Hvidovre campus), Herlev and Gentofte Hospital (Herlev campus), North Zealand Hospital (Hillerød campus) and Rigshospitalet (Blegdamsvej campus)

To begin treatment at one of the region’s fertility clinics, a referral from a doctor is required, who must assess that fertility treatment is medically justified and reasonable. The referral must be sent before the woman turns 40, and the treatment must be completed before she turns 41. This age limit does not apply when using previously frozen eggs.