This summer, Iowa became the newest member of a list of 12 states to impose a six-week abortion ban. The Iowa Supreme Court, made up of five men and two women, came to a close judgment of 4-3; with exceptions for rape, incest and the mother’s life, this bill went into effect on July 28.
Years of legal discussion preceded this controversial decision. In 2018, Governor Kim Reynolds introduced the original “heartbeat bill” —prior to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision— which was almost immediately blocked by the court. As Iowa’s Supreme Court became increasingly conservative, the 2018 decision was reversed in 2022, asserting that abortion is not a fundamental right.
One year later, Reynolds imposed a new heartbeat bill. This time, a district judge placed an injunction on this law. However, the Iowa Supreme Court reversed that injunction, fully implementing the six-week ban.
As a strong opponent of abortion, Reynolds added, “When is an unborn baby worth protecting? Or are there no limits? Make no mistake, with almost no exceptions, Democrats believe in abortion on demand up until the very moment of birth.” Lawmakers have since condemned Iowa Republicans for using hasty generalizations.
Despite holding a Republican majority, over 60 percent of Iowans support legal abortion. Now, the six-week abortion ban replaces the disparate 20-week deadline that stood for 50 years.
Planned Parenthood estimated that 97% of abortions in Iowa prior to August would have been illegal as a result of the ban.
“It takes three years at minimum for a women’s menstrual cycle to become regular on its own. That means most high schoolers with a period won’t know if they missed a period until after the six weeks is up. This is a purposeful way to seem lenient saying you have six whole weeks, when in reality that is no time,” explained junior Abby Howell. For young adults, missed or late menstrual cycles are fairly common, leaving high schoolers with little to no choice.
Iowa’s six-week abortion ban, also called the “fetal heartbeat bill,” prohibits medical professionals from performing an abortion if cardiac activity is detected. This, however, is inconsistent with the medical use of the word “heartbeat.”
This law is unclear on what is considered a detectable heartbeat. Scientifically, the term “fetus” is not used until nine weeks of gestation, making the universal name of the bill illogical. At six weeks, the embryo can exhibit electronic pulses weeks before the heart is even developed. Unlike in developed fetuses, these pulses do not pump blood through embryos.
Furthermore, the vague wording of the law is intentionally imprecise on what constitutes a threat to the mother’s life.
Dr. Sara Andrews, an OB-GYN in Iowa, is one of the many physicians who is expected to alter their medical treatment. “There are cases where we might tell a women in early gestational age that she is not a good candidate for further pregnancy. Now, they’re in a position in the state of Iowa that they have to carry the pregnancy, even though it was not previously recommended to move forward with the pregnancy,” continued Dr. Andrews. “I do think it could pose a specific harm to the woman to not have that as an option- even from a healthcare standpoint.”
As for physicians, consequences include fines up to $10,000 and revocation of medical licenses. Prior to the abortion ban, Iowa already experienced record-low obstetrician–gynecologists numbers— ranking in the bottom three states.
“Especially in rural areas, there are many labor and delivery areas or have very limited women in healthcare. I foresee that that could get even worse. We’ve certainly had OB-GYN candidates who were initially interested in our office that eventually declined moving forward because of the restrictions based on the ban,” explained Dr. Andrews.
Physicians who feel mounting pressure in medical spaces often move states in hopes of reduced political interference. Iowans are losing more than abortion access. OB-GYNs aid women of all ages and needs, including expecting mothers.
“I plan to continue in Iowa, but part of that is because I live in an are where patients can get adequate care on the other side of the state in Illinois. If I were practicing in central Iowa, that might push me to reconsider,” stated Dr. Andrews.
Neighboring states have extended support and provided their resources to Iowans in need.
Minnesota Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz took to X to express his disapproval. “As our neighbors in Iowa are stripped of their fundamental rights, my message is clear: Your reproductive freedom will remain protected in Minnesota.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joined Walz through his tweet on X. “Here in Illinois, we will welcome our Iowan neighbors for reproductive freedom and whatever care they need. Please know – as you work to maneuver around this dangerous and unjust law – we are here for you.”
For Iowans living in the local Quad Cities area, a quick 20-minute drive to the neighboring state of Illinois can provide access to safe abortions. For other Iowans, finding clinics within reach could become increasingly difficult. For high schoolers, that would include taking several vital days away from school and traveling long hours.
“It is targeting people of lower classes and bad circumstances who don’t have the resources in the first place to get help and support. 6 weeks, 42 days, 1008 hours, until you lose your rights,” stated Howell.
For more information on finding accessible abortion care, visit https://www.abortionfinder.org/.
This story was originally published on Spartan Shield on September 9, 2024.