The so called fetal heartbeat law bans an abortion if a heartbeat can already be detected.

That's often after just six weeks and before a woman realizes she is pregnant.

Most states generally considered the threshold for prohibiting abortion to be 24 weeks.

That's when a fetus is viable outside the womb, Governor Henry McMaster said.

It's been his priority to sign the heartbeat bill into law.

It is a duty that we share as Americans in your South Carolinians to protect life above all else.

That's what we're here for.

So who possesses that right that we seek to protect in America in South Carolina, who possesses the right, We have the duty who has the right.

All of us have the right.

Planned Parenthood has argued that the measure was unconstitutional.

The South Atlantic division of the women's Health Group filed a lawsuit in court shortly afterwards, citing previous successes with challenging similar laws in other states.

The pro life Center for Reproductive Rights said in a statement.

This band blatantly defies nearly 50 years of supreme court precedent protecting a person's right toe end the pregnancy.

The new law is one of the most restrictive bands in the country, where abortion remains one of the most divisive political issues.

However, it does allow abortions under some circumstances, including rape, incest or if the mother's life is in danger.