Pregnant, but not immune from violence

The vast majority of mothers were happy to take part. Women were more than six times more likely to disclose violence than if they were left to mention it without being prompted. Many of them said it was a relief at last to be able to tell someone, and that it made them think about making changes to their lives.

Domestic violence as a risk factor for pregnancy
Violence in pregnancy is a serious healthcare issue. Women victims are far more likely to describe their pregnancies as unplanned and unwanted. Abused pregnant women are at increased risk of miscarriage, infection, pre-term labour, placental abruption and low-birth-weight babies. This is obviously in addition to serious physical and mental problems for the woman herself including substance abuse and non-attendance for antenatal care.

The most recent Confidential Enquiries in Maternal Death - a document prepared every three years by the Department of Health - acknowledged domestic violence as a cause of maternal death for the first time.

The report recommended that, 'A sensitive enquiry about domestic violence should be routinely included when taking a social history (during pregnancy). Ideally this information should be sought in the absence of the woman's partner. Advice or information about local sources of help should be available'.Why does it happen?

According to Betsy Stanko, 'Domestic violence is all about power and control.' The man will suspect that his partner's attention is elsewhere, and these feeling might become uncontrollable, leading to a violent response. This can intensify after delivery as the woman's relationship with her baby becomes more concrete.

'That concentration on the baby vital for the survival of the species takes the woman's attention away from the man, which can lead to the man losing control,' says Dr Bewley.

Help is at hand
A pregnant woman suffering from domestic violence can be accessed more easily than other abused women, because virtually 100 per cent pass through the health service.

'Her life changes when she becomes pregnant,' says Dr Bewley. 'And we have the opportunity to change her life.'