Abortion in Iowa

Abortion is currently banned in Iowa at around 6 weeks of pregnancy because of a state law that has gone into effect. Find assistance for cost, travel, and more.

Is abortion legal in Iowa? Yes.

Yes, abortion is legal in Iowa. However, it is restricted in Iowa and other states. Because of a law in Iowa, abortion is banned at around 6 weeks of pregnancy and has some other restrictions on abortion access. The exact point in a pregnancy at which abortion will no longer be legal will vary from person to person depending on how quickly the embryo is developing, which a health care provider can determine. To figure out how far along you are in pregnancy, the first day of your last period counts as day one of pregnancy.

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Banned after around 6 weeks

If you're in Iowa and need an abortion

If you’re around 6 weeks pregnant or less, it is legal for you to get an abortion in Iowa.

If you are under the age of 18, you must notify a parent or legal guardian to get an abortion in Iowa. If notifying a parent or guardian is not an option for you, you can seek a judicial bypass. A judicial bypass allows you to waive the requirement for parental involvement. If you're a minor who would like help navigating the judicial bypass process, contact the If/When/How Repro Legal Helpline. To contact the Helpline, call 844-868-2812 or submit a request online.

Other Iowa laws may make it more difficult to access abortion care in Iowa.

You can leave Iowa and get an abortion out of state.

Use our abortion provider search to find a provider. If you’re having trouble getting an appointment or need other help related to getting an abortion, call the NAF (National Abortion Federation) Hotline at 1-800-772-9100.

Find a Verified Abortion Provider

Find assistance for cost, travel, and more.

A variety of assistance resources are available depending on where you’re located. These organizations may offer one or all of the following: funding for your abortion, support for travel, childcare, lodging, and more. Please note that most require you to have scheduled an appointment before you can start applying for assistance.

If you schedule an appointment outside of Iowa, you can also try to search for assistance in the location where your appointment will be.

Find Funding & Support in Iowa