Lawmakers in the state of Missouri have enacted mandatory waiting periods for abortions on Wednesday. This legislative pass makes it one of the nation's strictest laws on these kinds of waiting times, requiring women wait 72 hours after consulting with a doctor before they can terminate a pregnancy.

Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon had already vetoed the bill, but Republican-led legistature overruled the decision. Nixon had dismissed the proposal as "extreme and disrespectful" toward women as the law made no exceptions for instances of rape or incest.

Missouri, along with many other states across the U.S., already were enforcing a 24-hour abortion waiting period. This new increase will be the second longest waiting time following South Dakota, who also has a 72-hour hold that can be lengthened because holidays and weekends are not counted. The only other state with this length of waiting time is Utah, but their laws allow for circumstances like rape and incest to be exceptions.

Supporters of the legislation are calling this necessary time a "reflection period" or women and families.

"[If] you get a couple of more days to think about this pregnancy, think about where it's going, you may change your mind [about an abortion]," Republican Rep. Kathie Conway said.

However, pro-choice advocates said that three days is an insult to women, as many have done "soul-searching" before even going to an abortion clinic.

"It's designed to demean and shame a woman in an effort to change her mind," Rep. Judy Morgan, a Democrat from Kansas City, said.

The waiting period law will go into effect 30 days after the veto-overriding vote.

Missouri has enacted abortion regulations in the past. Twice before, Republican and Democratic lawmakers have voted to override vetoes on abortion bills. This included the partial-birth abortion ban in 1999 and the mandated 24-hour abortion waiting period in 2003.

The rate of abortions in the state has declined to around 5,400 per year and several clinics have closed over the past decade.