DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Tuesday marked three months since the Iowa law went into effect banning nearly all abortions.

Abortion is banned after doctors detect heart activity around six weeks into the pregnancy. Doctors say it happens before most patients they know they are pregnant. There are limited exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.

Holly Thomas is a Patient Navigator. Planned Parenthood North Central States. She helps patients coordinate out-of-state appointments for abortions and connects them with resources like hotels and food.

“In the last three months alone, I have personally helped approximately 750 patients, mostly from Iowa,” he said.

As Planned Parenthood North Central States expands its clinics in neighboring states, the organization’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sarah Traxler says there are still barriers for patients.

“It’s not easy to get your life together and cross state lines for healthcare. “Traveling to access essential healthcare can be scary and overwhelming, and for some, it’s not possible,” he said.

“The effects have been devastating,” said PPNCS Senior Health Center Director Alex Sharp.

Planned Parenthood North Central States could not say how many Iowa women were turned away for abortions because of the new law, but said the law creates hardship for patients by giving them less time to decide.

“Patients come to us much earlier in their pregnancy. If there is no heart activity, they have little time to make choices and consider their options, Sharp said.

with Kristi Judkins Iowa Right to Life She says she hears from women who are grateful to be living in a life-preserving situation.

“Alongside the testimonies of women who are traumatized by their lack of access to abortion, we also hear testimonies from women who are grateful to be able to be in and live in a state that basically tells them this. “When the baby’s heartbeat was detected, it was understood that there was life inside them,” he said.

Although the state has not yet released data on the law’s impact, Judkins says he has seen how the laws work in other states with similar restrictions.

“I can research what’s happening in other states where abortion is restricted, and that state could be the state of Texas that saves thousands of babies by far,” she said.

Judkins says adoption is an option.

He also says pregnancy resource centers can help parents get the things they need, like cribs and car seats. You should know that some pregnancy resource centers offer health services but are not medically licensed.

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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him/her [email protected]; and follow him on Facebook Conner HendricksTV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.

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