How can violence affect my pregnancy?

It is also important to understand how your pregnancy affects domestic violence. Pregnancy and the birth of a child is a major life event that can trigger violence previously held in check. When the baby comes home, Dad has to share Mom's time and affection, maybe even take a back seat to the needs of an infant. This can trigger insecurities that never surfaced before. Domestic violence can start during a pregnancy or after the baby comes home. It is a time to be alert.

Physical assault, rape, sexual abuse, and psychological and emotional abuse can result in health problems for pregnant and birthing women and for infants. The vast majority of this violence is inflicted by husbands, boyfriends, partners, and other family members. Violence in intimate relationships can prevent women from getting necessary health care, choosing when we become pregnant, and protecting ourselves against sexually transmitted infections.

Domestic violence can cause us to delay our prenatal care or deliver a premature or low birth-weight baby. It can also cause trauma to the fetus. Exposure to violence and trauma also makes us more likely to use cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol, putting us and our babies at risk.

According to a study by the American Pregnancy Association, over 240,000 pregnant woman are subject to domestic violence per year. The effects of this unfortunate reality can put both mother and baby at risk for multiple issues. When a mother is injured, depending upon location and severity, the baby will likely be affected. In severe cases, a woman can go into early labor or the uterus and/or placenta can be disrupted and bleed. These issues can risk the life of both baby and mother. In less extreme cases, the emotional and physical stress, especially if ongoing, can cause a woman to have a more difficult and uncomfortable pregnancy and can even affect blood pressure and adequate fetal growth.