Alan Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit organization analyzed a government survey conducted in US in 2002 and observed that half of the women who had come for having an abortion said they have had previous ones earlier.

Women who had come for repeat abortions were found to be over the age of 30, were from a large family and with low income. Most of them had said that they were using contraceptives and had conceived in spite of it.

Abortions are not uncommon these days and around 46 million women have abortions worldwide every year. The maximum numbers are reported in Romania, Cuba and Vietnam.

Rachel Jones, a research associate who headed the study, said, "This suggests that we need to do a better job helping all women better prevent unwanted pregnancies, so they can avoid having to decide whether to seek abortions or raise children they are not prepared for."

Sharon Camp, the Chief executive officer for the Alan Guttmacher Institute said the separation of federal government and family planning is the cause for this increase in abortion rates.

She said, "These policies interfere with the ability of abortion providers to ensure continuity of care for their patients by guaranteeing that, following an abortion, every woman has an appropriate contraceptive method and is able to use it consistently."