Is some sort of prior restraint relating to abortions war on women's rights or not? Seems I've heard even minor limits to abortion decried as a war on women's rights.

You're comparing apples and oranges. Access to a medical procedure is in a completely different realm of discussion.

I used cars as a comparison because they are also a tool designed for a specific purpose, which can cause death or harm if misused. (And I happen to think that penalties for deliberately misusing a motor vehicle, such as driving drunk, should get your driving priveleges yanked for a life, but that's a seperate argument.)

Most of what you write seems to point to a need for consistancy in regulation. I'll have a closer look at your links when I get some time.