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I understand that not everyone will agree with this decision. But if death is determined when a heart stops beating, then doesn't a beating heart indicate life?

Kim Reynolds, the governor of Iowa, as she signed the nation's most restrictive abortion law last Friday afternoon. The law bans most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which can be as early as six weeks.

Kim Reynolds, the governor of Iowa, as she signed the nation's most restrictive abortion law last Friday afternoon. The law bans most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which can be as early as six weeks -- before many women even know they're pregnant. 

Natalie Delgadillo is an editor and writer living in Washington, D.C. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Bloomberg's CityLab, and The Atlantic. She was previously the managing editor of DCist.