<span class="RACopyBody">NEW ORLEANS — Abortion clinics in Louisiana and their doctors have filed a lawsuit to block a series of new restrictions on abortion, including making women wait longer before an abortion can be performed and taking away medical options in the second trimester.</span>

<span class="RACopyBody">The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Baton Rouge on Friday. The restrictions take effect Aug. 1.</span>

<span class="RACopyBody">New requirements would force many women to wait 72 hours and undergo ultrasounds before getting abortions. Louisiana is also partially banning a procedure called dilation and evacuation. The suit charges the laws are unconstitutionally restrictive.</span>

<span class="RACopyBody">Such restrictions are at the center of a nationwide battle over abortion.</span>

<span class="RACopyBody">On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Texas law requiring hospital admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortions. The Supreme Court blocked enforcement of a similar Louisiana law in March.</span>