Abortion laws in Iowa
Abortion is banned in Iowa after about 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Data last updated .
How far into pregnancy
- Abortion is banned once cardiac activity can be detected, about 6 weeks into pregnancy. Many people don't know they're pregnant yet at that point.
- Pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period, not from conception.
- Exceptions after that point: to save your life; to protect your physical health (not mental health); if the fetus has a serious or fatal health condition; if the pregnancy is from rape or incest.
Waiting periods and clinic visits
- You must be given state-required information (counseling) before your abortion.
- You must have an ultrasound before your abortion.
- There is a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion.
- You'll need to make two separate trips to the clinic: one for required counseling, then another for the abortion.
Abortion pills by telehealth
- State law does not allow abortion pills to be prescribed through telehealth.
If you're under 18
- If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must be told before the abortion.
- If you can't involve a parent, you can ask a judge for permission instead. This is called a judicial bypass, and free legal help is available.
Insurance coverage
- Medicaid (public health insurance) pays for abortion in the limited cases federal law requires, and also when the fetus has a serious health condition.
- Good to know: Iowa's Governor must approve any abortion paid for by the Medicaid program.
Penalties and legal risk
- Doctors and other licensed providers who violate the ban can lose their license or face other discipline.
- For advice about your own situation, the Repro Legal Helpline offers free, confidential legal help.
Legal protections
- The state has no specific legal protections for abortion.
Get help
- Find a provider near you: AbortionFinder
- Find verified clinics: I Need an A
- Free, confidential legal help: Repro Legal Helpline · 844-868-2812
- Help paying for care: National Abortion Federation Hotline · 1-800-772-9100
- Medical questions about abortion or miscarriage: M+A Hotline · 1-833-246-2632
This is a summary of state law, not legal advice. Laws change, and an update to this data can also be a correction.