The Washington Post says not only the stigma keeps doctors away from the procedure, but fear that they will fall victim to assassination or other violence. Dr. John Pierce, who heads the obstetrics and gynecology residency program of the Virginia Commonwealth University, believes that is not the case.

"It is a significant moral or conscience decision that physicians in training or medical students have to make when they look at how they want to practice," he contends. "So when medical students or residents are faced with a decision, sometimes they come in prepared and sometimes they don't really and don't understand what they really believe, and therefore what they're going to do in training or in practice thereafter."

Pierce points out that some students with a pro-life view struggle over whether to become a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology.

"I think there's a lot of tension that comes about because the tension, when you're sitting at a table and thinking about doing an abortion, the gravity of the situation is often significant -- and it causes people to think about it a little differently," he adds.