On July 29, 2024, a law banning abortions after about 6 weeks of pregnancy will go into effect. Doctors in Iowa will no longer be allowed to provide abortions after about 6 weeks of pregnancy.
6-Week Ban
Abortion available until 6 weeks of pregnancy
24 hour mandatory waiting period before abortion
Under 18, must give parental notice or judicial bypass
Abortion available until 6 weeks (starting 7/29/2024)
- Except in emergencies, anyone having an abortion in Iowa must:
- have an ultrasound; and
- wait 24 hours before their appointment.
- Abortions after 6 weeks are available only if:
- (1) necessary to protect the life of the pregnant person;
- (2) the pregnancy is a result of rape and has been reported to the police or a health agency like a family doctor within 45 days;
- (3) the pregnancy is a result of incest and has been reported to the police or a health agency like a family doctor within 140 days; or
- (4) the fetus has a life-threatening condition (fatal fetal abnormality)
- You can learn more about emergency medical treatment under Getting the medical care you need on our Legal Rights and Risk page.
Self-managed abortion is not a crime in Iowa. But what the law says and what happens in reality can be very different. If you have questions about your legal rights and risk, call 844-868-2812 or contact us through our secure form to speak with a lawyer.
To find an abortion provider, go to abortionfinder.org or ineedana.com.
An abortion fund or a practical support organization is an organization that can help pay for all or some of the costs of getting an abortion. Some funds only pay for the procedure. Others only pay for costs like travel, hotel, or childcare. Most require that you have an appointment at a clinic first. To find an abortion fund, go to:
Notification
If you are under 18 years old
- You have the right to get an abortion, but the abortion provider must tell your parents, legal guardian, or a grandparent about your decision to have an abortion at least 48 hours in advance. This is called parental notice. Your parents do NOT need to agree with your decision.
- If you cannot or do not want to involve your parent, guardian, or grandparent, or if they will not support your decision, you can ask the court for a judicial bypass. This is a legal process where a judge can give you permission to decide on your own whether to have an abortion.
- The court must schedule your hearing and make a decision within 2 days (not including weekends or holidays) of when you ask for a judicial bypass. You can learn more about the judicial bypass process under Judicial Bypass on our Young People & Abortion page.
- You have the right to a free lawyer in a judicial bypass hearing. We can connect you with a lawyer who can help you through every step of the process. Call 844-868-2812 or contact us through our secure form to speak with a lawyer.
You also have the right to travel to a state that does not have parental involvement laws.
To find an abortion provider, go to abortionfinder.org or ineedana.com.
An abortion fund or a practical support organization is an organization that can help pay for all or some of the costs of getting an abortion. Some funds only pay for the procedure. Others only pay for costs like travel, hotel, or childcare. Most require that you have an appointment at a clinic first. To find an abortion fund, go to: