COLUMBUS - A federal judge has temporarily blocked an Ohio law that would have banned a common second-trimester abortion method.

On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Barrett granted a temporary restraining order to stop a ban on dilation and evacuation, the most common procedure for second-trimester abortions, in most cases.

The law was set to take effect Friday and would have effectively banned most abortions after about 12 weeks gestation.

Barrett did not say whether banning the procedure was unconstitutional. His order will last 14 days.

Barrett, in the decision, said abortion provider Planned Parenthood had raised factual and legal issues that warrant further investigation.

In a dilation and evacuation abortion, a woman's cervix is dilated then surgical instruments, such as forceps, are used to remove the fetus and uterine lining. In 2017, the method was used in 3,441 abortions – nearly one of every six performed in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Under the new law, physicians who perform the procedure would face a fourth-degree felony, punishable by up to 18 months in prison. The law has no exception for rape or incest but does allow abortions to save a woman's life.

Ohio lawmakers voted to ban the practice, which anti-abortion access advocates describe as "barbaric," in December. Former Gov. John Kasich signed the bill while vetoing another abortion ban – one that would have penalized doctors who perform abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.

In February, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit to block the law from taking effect, arguing that the ban on dilation and evacuation procedures would violate the due process rights of women seeking abortions.

"We are pleased that the court has, for now, protected most people's access to abortion and will take a deeper look into this blatant attempt to deprive patients of access to abortion and health care providers from making medical decisions that are best for their patients," said Kersha Deibel, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region.

Mike Gonidakis, president of anti-abortion group Ohio Right to Life, said it was sad that a federal judge would rule against protecting babies.

"This judge was just soundly rejected last week by the Sixth Circuit," Gonidakis said, citing another case involving whether Ohio could cut off money to Planned Parenthood. "I am confident his actions today will be rejected yet again."

Judge Barrett was nominated to the federal bench by President George W. Bush in 2006.