The US state of Iowa on Wednesday adopted the strictest legislation regarding abortions, according to which it is forbidden to terminate a pregnancy as soon as the fetal heartbeat can be detected.
The Republican-majority state legislature passed the bill and it remains to be ratified by the Iowa governor.
Once in place, abortions will be prohibited after the sixth week of pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest.
Critics of the bill point out that it makes abortion illegal before most women even realize they are pregnant. Last year, Republicans in the same state banned abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who opposes abortion, has not yet said whether she will ratify the bill. If ratified, it is almost certain that there will be lawsuits against him in the courts up to the federal level.
According to the so-called "heartbeat" bill, any woman wishing to have an abortion must have an ultrasound. If a heartbeat is detected in the fetus, it will not be allowed. Exceptions apply to rapes or incest cases that have been reported to the authorities, or when a woman's life is in danger.