U.S. Abortion Rate at 30-Year Low

The report also illustrated the widening gap between those with insurance and those without, Rubiner said.

Dr. Michael F. Greene, director of obstetrics at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School, called the report's findings an "encouraging" trend.

"Nobody wants to see more abortions occurring," Greene said, adding that the decision to have an abortion isn't an easy one.

"Women don't make this decision based upon whether it's simple and easy and they can fit it in between going to lunch and getting their nails done. There is a tendency for people to try to trivialize this, and that's nonsense. It's a difficult decision for any woman," he said.

Wendy Wright is executive vice president of Concerned Women for America, which describes itself as the "nation's largest public policy women's organization" that strives to "bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy."

She said the new report was designed to get more funding for contraception and education about contraception, so it can't be taken as "gospel truth."

Wright doesn't agree that abortion is a consequence of unintended pregnancy. "In talking with women who have had abortions, we find that there are many reasons for abortions, other than the 'oops' factor," she said. "Many women felt that they were coerced into it -- they may have wanted the baby, but they were pressured into an abortion by other people -- boyfriend, husband, parents, jobs, universities or such."

More information

For more on abortion, visit Planned Parenthood.

SOURCES: Rachel Jones, senior research associate, Guttmacher Institute, Washington, D.C.; Laurie Rubiner, vice president, public policy, Planned Parenthood, Washington, D.C.; Michael F. Greene, M.D., director, obstetrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, and professor, obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Wendy Wright, executive vice president, Concerned Women for America, Washington, D.C.; Sept. 23, 2008, report,Trends in the Characteristics of Women Obtaining Abortions, 1974 to 2004, Guttmacher Institute, New York City, and Washington, D.C.