It is less clear whether the court’s ruling – which is not expected until next year – will simply pare back Roe v Wade by allowing the abortion bans after 15-weeks, or strike down the landmark 
ruling in its entireity.

The court’s chief justice, John Roberts, signaled his willingness to uphold the 15-week limit without going further, asking why that was “not enough time” for a woman to obtain the procedure.

Other justices, including two Trump-era appointees, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, appeared to be interested in going further.

“The Constitution is neither pro-life nor pro-choice … and leaves the issue to the people to resolve in the democratic process,” Mr Kavanaugh said.

The court’s newest justice, Amy Coney-Barrett, asked whether the option to put unwanted babies up for adoption offered an alternative to abortion.