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GREENSBORO -- A judge is considering whether to prevent portions of North Carolina's new abortion restrictions from taking effect while a lawsuit challenging them goes through the federal courts.

Lawyers for the state and abortion rights groups argued their cases before U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles for two hours Monday in a Greensboro courtroom.

Abortion providers sued last month, saying the new law requiring ultrasounds be performed so that women are shown the images is unconstitutional.

Bebe Anderson with the Center for Reproductive Rights told Eagles the law is too vague and could subject doctors to penalties.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Faison Hicks said the information doctors provide patients is truthful and advances the state's interest for a woman to carry the fetus to term.

Eagles didn't immediately issue a ruling.

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