Now that Iowa’s 6-week abortion ban is in effect, what options do women have for care?

With Iowa’s six-week abortion ban in effect, what options do women have for their reproductive care?

The state’s new law prohibits abortion when fetal cardiac activity can be detected on an ultrasound, typically at about six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies and to save the life of the pregnant woman.

The state ban drastically limits abortion clinics’ operations and further shifts the legal landscape in the Midwest. Iowa now joins 22 states that have enacted some type of abortion ban since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed reproductive rights nationwide for half a century.

Here’s what women should know:

More: What you should know about Iowa’s 6-week abortion ban that is now in effect

What do abortion laws look like in states surrounding Iowa?

Missouri bans abortion in almost all circumstances. The state law has limited exceptions to save the pregnant woman’s life and to prevent serious risk to the pregnant woman’s physical health.

South Dakota also has a total ban on abortion, except in cases when it’s required to save the pregnant woman’s life. Anyone who provides an illegal abortion could face a felony charge punishable by up to two years in prison.

Nebraska law bans abortion at 12-weeks pregnancy, with limited exceptions, and requires patients seeking abortions to undergo counseling and a 24-hour waiting period.

Kansas and Wisconsin have less restrictive abortion bans, but those states do not have laws or legal precedence that offer the same protections as other states.

In Kansas, abortion is illegal at 22 weeks of pregnancy. Wisconsin law prohibits the procedure at 22 weeks and requires patients to undergo a 24-hour waiting period before obtaining an abortion.

Which states surrounding Iowa protect abortion access?

Abortion is protected in Illinois and Minnesota.

There are no gestational limits on abortion in Minnesota, nor any other restrictions surrounding the procedure.

In Illinois, abortion is legal until the pregnancy reaches “viability,” or the stage when a fetus is developed enough to survive outside the uterus without medical help.

What does access to abortion care look like in other states?

Because of Illinois’ and Minnesota’s protections, health care providers and other abortion rights advocates say they will have channel resources or otherwise help Iowa patients travel to these states now that Iowa’s ban is in effect.

Iowa law does not prohibit residents from traveling out-of-state to seek abortion care.

Just under a dozen clinics throughout Minnesota provide in-person abortion care, meaning some patients may have to travel as far as the Twin Cities to find an appointment. However, that does not include telemedicine and other options meant to help patients access abortion pills through the mail.

Illinois has a much greater availability of in-person abortion clinics, according to abortionfinder.org. That’s on top of virtual providers and abortion pill mail delivery.

Planned Parenthood North Central States President and CEO Ruth Richardson said the organization has been expanding capacity in clinics near Iowa’s border, including the organization’s Mankato clinic in Minnesota. The organization has also expanded clinic space at its location in Omaha.

However, Iowa’s ban comes as Illinois and Minnesota already saw a huge surge in out-of-state patients seeking care last year, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a policy and research organization that supports reproductive health access.

Data shows Illinois experienced the largest increase in the number of patients traveling from other states, with more than 37,000 people traveling into the state for abortion care last year.

Guttmacher found about 3,000 patients traveled to Minnesota from other states — including some from as far as Texas — last year.

More: Iowa’s new 6-week abortion ban expected to become a pivotal election issue this November

How are abortion rights advocates helping patients travel for care out-of-state?

In light of abortion bans nationwide, websites have been established to help patients find appointments near them, such as abortionfinder.org or ineedana.com.

Planned Parenthood also has a similar website for its clinics. Advocates in Iowa have also established a website, freedomiowa.com, that includes options for resources for those affected by the state ban.

But for some patients, finding an available appointment is just one step in a challenging process to access abortion care, some advocates say.

Many patients, especially those who are low-income or are part of marginalized communities, may lack transportation, or be unable to find reliable childcare or take time off work for out-of-state care.

Advocacy organizations in Iowa say they are prepared to help patients overcome these barriers. Planned Parenthood North Central States, which includes Iowa, employs patient navigators to help patients find an appointment and to access financial aid to afford expenses related to that care.

The Iowa Abortion Access Fund recently partnered with the Chicago Abortion Fund to help manage the anticipated influx from Iowa. The organization offers grants to Iowans to help pay for the procedure as well as other related expenses, such as travel, lodging and childcare.

Iowa Abortion Access Fund is directing clients to contact Chicago Abortion Fund directly by calling (312) 663-0338 or by filling out an online form.

Michaela Ramm covers health care for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at mramm@registermedia.com, at (319) 339-7354 or on Twitter at @Michaela_Ramm.