Grant Rodgers

The Des Moines Register

Lawyers hoping to block controversial new abortion restrictions in Iowa presented their case to a district court judge Monday morning — arguing the new law unfairly stigmatizes women, might jeopardize patient safety and will add to the costs of having the procedure.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa brought the lawsuit with the intention of halting a new state law that, among other things, requires a 72-hour waiting period for women who want an abortion. It also requires that women be given the option to view an ultrasound and receive materials about risks associated with abortion.

Attorneys representing Planned Parenthood and the ACLU have maintained that the waiting period requirement is unconstitutional because of the additional burdens it places on women wanting to end a pregnancy. Dr. Jill Meadows, the medical director for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, was the first witness called to testify Monday in front of District Court Judge Jeffrey Farrell.

Meadows told the judge that the new law will essentially require women to make at least two trips to a Planned Parenthood clinic or other provider. Though the law only requires a three-day waiting period, a lack of resources and scheduling concerns mean that women could end up waiting a week or more for the procedure, she said.

The extra waiting period could be particularly harmful to women who want to keep their abortion private from a romantic partner, for fear of violence or retribution, Meadows said. It also would burden rape victims who become pregnant and want to terminate the pregnancy, she said.

“Having to make multiple visits for the same issue might mean that the patients are reliving that trauma each time and being reminded of it,” she said.

Former Gov. Terry Branstad signed the law in May, calling it one of the "most pro-life" bills that had come across his desk in recent years. The 72-hour waiting period, however, has been put on hold while the litigation moves through the courts.

Regardless of Farrell's decision on whether the law will stand, it's likely the case will be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court for a final decision.