Iowa’s governor has signed an abortion law widely seen as America’s strictest, immediately drawing a legal challenge.

The measure, signed by Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, would prohibit most abortions by banning the procedure after a foetal heartbeat can be detected. Doctors would need to examine women seeking abortions to seek a heartbeat.

“I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred, and as governor, I pledged to do everything in my power to protect it. That is what I am doing today,” Ms Reynolds said in a statement.

Soon after the governor affixed her signature, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood announced they intended to sue to overturn what the ACLU called “one of the most extreme abortion restrictions in the entire country”. Planned Parenthood denounced the law as “dangerous”.

Acknowledging she anticipated a legal battle in signing the measure, Ms Reynolds said she nevertheless pressed ahead out of a conviction that “I am not going to back down from who I am or what I believe in”.

“I understand and anticipate that this will likely be challenged in court, and that courts may even put a hold on the law until it reaches the Supreme Court,” Ms Reynolds said. “However, this is bigger than just a law.”

Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Show all 5 1 /5 Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Demonstrators take part in a protest to urge the Irish Government to repeal the 8th amendment to the constitution, which enforces strict limitations to a woman's right to an abortion, in Dublin on 24 September REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Demonstrators take part in a protest to urge the Irish Government to repeal the 8th amendment to the constitution, which enforces strict limitations to a woman's right to an abortion, in Dublin on 24 September REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Demonstrators take part in a protest to urge the Irish Government to repeal the 8th amendment to the constitution, which enforces strict limitations to a woman's right to an abortion, in Dublin on 24 September REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Demonstrators take part in a protest to urge the Irish Government to repeal the 8th amendment to the constitution, which enforces strict limitations to a woman's right to an abortion, in Dublin on 24 September REUTERS Thousands march in Dublin for Irish abortion rights Demonstrators take part in a protest to urge the Irish Government to repeal the 8th amendment to the constitution, which enforces strict limitations to a woman's right to an abortion, in Dublin on 24 September REUTERS

The bill passed the Iowa House of Representatives by a single vote in a late-night vote earlier in the week, winning enough votes by making concessions for cases of rape and incest.

Republican politician suggests that women who have an abortion should face the death penalty