During which trimester does the state have the least interest in regulating abortions according to Roe v. Wade?

The first trimester is when the state has the least interest in regulating abortions according to the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade. The ruling established a framework for the legality of abortion based on the trimester of pregnancy. During the first trimester, the Court held that the decision to terminate a pregnancy is left to the woman and her healthcare provider, emphasizing the rights to privacy and bodily autonomy.

As the pregnancy progresses into the second and third trimesters, the state's interest in protecting maternal health and the potential life of the fetus increases. This framework allows for more regulatory measures to be imposed during these later stages when the potential for fetal viability exists. Thus, this ruling reflects a balancing act between a woman's rights and the state's interests, with the first trimester being the phase of least state intervention.