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DES MOINES, Iowa, May 4, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed Iowa’s just-passed ban on abortion once a baby’s heartbeat is detected, establishing her state as having the strongest pro-life laws in America.

“We couldn't be more pleased,” said Iowans for Life head Maggie DeWitte. “[Reynolds] is following through on her pledge to the people of Iowa that she is 100 percent pro-life.”

Babies’ hearts begin beating in the womb about three weeks into pregnancy, and are usually heard by new parents at their first or second trip to the doctor.

“This bill is in line with science,” Live Action President Lila Rose tweeted shortly after it cleared the legislature. She called the bill “historic.”

Reynolds’ signature came shortly after state Planned Parenthood affiliates and the left-wing American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) threatened a lawsuit to block the law’s enforcement, CBS News reports. After the legislature passed the bill on Tuesday, Reynolds said she was pro-life, but had to review its details first.

SF 359 is expected to stop most abortions, starting between 6-8 weeks. It allows exceptions for babies conceived in rape if reported within 45 days, babies conceived in incest if the incest is reported within 140 days, or fetal abnormalities deemed “incompatible with life,” and for physical threats to the mother’s life.

The Chicago Tribune adds that more than 100 pro-abortion protesters gathered outside the state Capital to condemn the legislation on Friday, and some even left coat hangers, a symbol of a popular myth about illegal abortions before Roe v. Wade, by the desks of Reynolds’ staffers.

Current judicial precedent says that abortion cannot be banned prior to fetal viability. This has led some pro-life activists to oppose heartbeat legislation on the premise that Roe v. Wade should not be directly challenged until the Supreme Court has a clear pro-life majority that would strike it down rather than reaffirm it.

However, supporters of the bill such as GOP state Sen. Rick Bertrand say they’re counting on such a fight and plan to win it.

“We created an opportunity to take a run at Roe v. Wade – 100 percent,” he said.

Steve King, R-IA, is the sponsor of federal heartbeat legislation and also says that by the time such a law makes its way through the courts, it’s very likely that President Trump will have appointed another Supreme Court justice, who will rule on the side of life.

Planned Parenthood tweeted that the bill protecting babies with beating hearts was “GROSS.”

“See you in court,” the abortion company threatened.