Restrictions to Georgia abortion laws delayed - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Restrictions to Georgia abortion laws delayed

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COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) -

Several laws and updates go into effect in Georgia on January 1st 2013; however, restrictions on a very controversial topic may be delayed.

In 2012, lawmakers voted to ban doctors from performing abortions starting 20 weeks after fertilization.

The new restriction were to take effect on the first of the New Year but Fulton County judge Doris Downs has temporarily blocked  the law after a union group challenged it.

Here's how the restrictions will affect women in Georgia.  Under the current law, a woman has the right to get an abortion, for any reason, up to the first six months of her pregnancy.

After six months, a doctor may legally perform an abortion to save the mother's life.  When the new law goes into effect, no abortion may legally be performed after five months, unless the fetus has a severe defect that is life threatening.

During the final four months, a doctor may legally perform an abortion only to save the mother's life.

Georgia is the seventh state in the country to pass what some are calling "fetus rights laws."  Fulton County Judge Doris Downs is expected to make a ruling some-time in 2013.

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