(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court is likely to issue a ruling on Friday that will determine whether most abortions will be outlawed in Iowa. Last July, Governor Reynolds signed a law to ban abortions most around the sixth week of a pregnancy, when fetal activity can be detected, but the law was quickly put on hold due to a legal challenge. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says the 2022 U-S Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v Wade has paved the way for state action.

“That makes a law like our ‘Heartbeat Law’ here in Iowa a legal possibility and we’ll hope that after the decision comes out, a legal certainty, right? That we can uphold that law,” Bird said. Bird spoke Saturday at the “March for Life” at the Iowa Capitol. Her office defended the six week abortion ban in court.  “We know nothing is more precious than life and we know who the Creator with a capital C of life is,” Bird said, to applause. “And especially as a mom I’m thankful I get to protect everybody, both the born and unborn.”

Opponents of Iowa’s six week abortion ban are set to hold events this week. The law includes exceptions for rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother. Critics say the rules prepared to enforce the law aren’t clear enough and women will be denied abortions in medical emergencies.