DUBUQUE - The economy might be playing a role in some women's most private and personal decisions.

The Associated Press reports that as the economy gets worse, the number of abortions nationwide is going up. Many women say they just can't afford to have babies right now.

Day in and day out picketers line Central Avenue during Planned Parenthood's regular business hours. The Dubuque's Planned Parenthood center does NOT perform abortions, but these picketers make their beliefs known loud and clear.

"There is only one 100 percent way to avoid an unintended pregnancy and that's abstinence," said Steve Brody with the Dubuque Co. Right to Life.

Inside, Dubuque's planned parenthood center is seeing an increase in women asking for free or inexpensive birth-control. Typically, the center gives out free birth control to five or six women per week.
Lately, that number has grown to five or six women per day.

Planned Parenthood's Rebecca Tekippe said,"At least one person in the family that maybe is being laid off by some of the factory lay-offs in the area. And are losing that insurance that goes with it, and really still need that birth-control maybe now more than ever."

A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa tells TV9 the number of women in the state asking for access to birth control is up nearly 40 percent.

The staff here in Dubuque provides those birth control options, along with reproductive health education, screenings. They also makes referrals for patients who want an abortion.

"Don't kill the child, the child is not responsible for that behavior and there are plenty of other options," said Brody.

An old debate, with new economic concerns.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa says because it is a non-profit organization, it does not have to release the specific number of abortions performed in Iowa.