Louisiana's House of Representatives has passed a bill that would extend waiting period for women planning to have an abortion from 24 to 72 hours.
House Bill 386 was passed on April 6 with an 89-5 vote.
During the waiting period, women who want to have abortion will undergo ultrasound where she may have the option to view the images or heartbeat of the unborn child, or have an ultrasound photograph.
The physician is required to provide the woman an oral explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting including the presence and location of the unborn child in the uterus, its dimensions, and presence of cardiac activity. The pregnant woman also has the chance to ask questions.
The physician who will perform the abortion also needs to inform her the abortion method and the risks.
She will also be informed that medical assistance may be available for prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care.
Exempted from the new waiting period are women who live at least 150 miles from the nearest abortion clinic.
New Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, agrees with the bill, which received bi-partisan support.
"Louisiana's one of the top pro-life states in America," said state Rep. Frank Hoffmann, who proposed the extended waiting period.
He said the 72-hour waiting period could benefit women who plan to have an abortion.
"It can certainly help prevent against later regret. It's the life of the unborn child that will be affected by the decision," he said.
If the bill is signed, Louisiana will join Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Dakota and Utah, which have 72-hour waiting periods for abortion, according to the Associated Press.
The state House also approved a bill with an 87-0 vote that would require doctors who perform abortion to be board certified.
It allows medical students enrolled in residency programmes in obstetrics and gynaecology or family medicine to perform abortions under the direct supervision of a board-certified doctor.
