Domestic abuse affects individuals across all demographics, but a particularly vulnerable group is pregnant women. Research shows that domestic violence often begins or intensifies during pregnancy, placing both the mother and her unborn child at significant risk.
According to alarming statistics, homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women in the United States, underscoring the severity of this issue.
This article explores the factors contributing to the increase in domestic abuse during pregnancy, the consequences of such abuse, and how society can work to address this tragic problem.
Understanding the Link Between Pregnancy and Domestic Abuse
Pregnancy can introduce stress, changes in relationship dynamics, and shifts in power balance, particularly in relationships where one partner exhibits controlling or abusive behaviours. Several factors explain why domestic abuse often starts or escalates during pregnancy:
- Increased Stress and Anxiety. Pregnancy is a time of heightened emotional and physical changes. For some individuals prone to abusive behaviours, the increased financial, emotional, and social stressors during pregnancy may exacerbate controlling or violent tendencies. A partner may feel more overwhelmed by the responsibility of impending parenthood, leading to lashing out at the pregnant partner.
- Jealousy and Loss of Control. Abusers thrive on maintaining control over their partners. The attention and care directed toward the pregnant woman and the unborn child can provoke jealousy or feelings of inadequacy in an abusive partner. In such cases, the pregnancy represents a threat to the abuser’s control, resulting in escalated abusive behaviours as they attempt to reassert dominance.
- Increased Dependence on the Abuser. Pregnancy may make the victim more dependent on the abuser for financial support or emotional care. The sense of dependency can embolden an abuser, as they perceive their partner to be more vulnerable and less likely to leave the relationship. Abusers may take advantage of this perceived helplessness to tighten their grip on their partner through physical, emotional, and financial abuse.
- Isolation. During pregnancy, some women may become more socially isolated, either due to physical limitations or increased focus on family and child-rearing responsibilities. Abusers may further this isolation by cutting their partner off from support systems like friends, family, or healthcare providers. This isolation increases the power imbalance in the relationship, giving the abuser more control and reducing the victim’s ability to seek help.
The Scope of Domestic Abuse During Pregnancy
The prevalence of domestic abuse during pregnancy is both shocking and underreported. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in six women experiences domestic violence during pregnancy. For many women, pregnancy may mark the first time they experience abuse. Studies have also shown that domestic abuse during pregnancy is not only physical but also psychological, financial, and sexual in nature.
Pregnant women subjected to intimate partner violence are at a higher risk of a range of physical and mental health problems. The stress and trauma of abuse can lead to complications such as preterm labour, low birth weight, and miscarriage. Furthermore, the emotional toll of living in fear and under constant duress affects the mother’s mental health, often leading to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Homicide: The Leading Cause of Death for Pregnant Women
One of the most alarming statistics related to intimate partner violence and pregnancy is that homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women in the United States. According to a 2021 study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, pregnant and postpartum women are more likely to die from homicide than from any other cause, including pregnancy-related complications. In many cases, these homicides are committed by intimate partners, indicating a direct link between domestic abuse and pregnancy-related homicides.
The study revealed that pregnant and postpartum women have a homicide rate of 2.9 per 100,000 live births, which is significantly higher than the general population. This statistic highlights the extreme danger pregnant women face in abusive relationships, as the combination of pregnancy and domestic abuse can result in fatal outcomes.
Consequences for Unborn Children
The impact of domestic abuse during pregnancy extends beyond the mother—it can also have severe consequences for the unborn child. Studies show that pregnant women who experience domestic abuse are more likely to have premature births, low birth weight babies, and children with developmental delays. The physical trauma inflicted on the mother can cause placental abruption (the premature separation of the placenta from the uterus), which can be life-threatening for both the mother and baby.
Stress hormones released during abusive incidents cross the placenta, affecting foetal development. Chronic stress and trauma during pregnancy have been linked to long-term emotional and cognitive difficulties in children. Thus, the harm caused by domestic abuse during pregnancy can have lasting repercussions on the child’s development, well-being, and future.
Barriers to Seeking Help
Despite the grave dangers, many pregnant women remain in abusive relationships due to various obstacles that make it difficult to seek help. Some of these barriers include:
- Fear of Retaliation: Pregnant women may fear that leaving the abuser will provoke further violence or lead to retaliation.
- Financial Dependency: Many pregnant women, particularly those not working during pregnancy, may be financially dependent on their abusers, making it difficult to leave the relationship without risking financial ruin.
- Lack of Awareness: Some women may not realize they are in an abusive relationship, particularly if the abuse is emotional or psychological. In other cases, they may believe that the abuse will stop after the baby is born.
- Cultural and Social Pressures: Cultural and societal norms that emphasize keeping the family together may prevent women from leaving abusive relationships, especially during pregnancy.
A Tragic Reality for Many Women
Regardless of the form it takes, domestic abuse during pregnancy has severe consequences for both mother and baby. The physical toll of abuse can result in complications like miscarriage, preterm labour, low birth weight, and long-term developmental issues for the baby. Emotional and psychological abuse can also lead to stress, anxiety, and postpartum depression, which can affect the victim’s ability to bond with their child and care for themselves after pregnancy.
Domestic abuse during pregnancy is a tragic reality for many women, leading to devastating consequences for both the mother and unborn child.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Intimate Partner Violence.
Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org.
Bailey, B.A. (2010). Partner Violence During Pregnancy: Prevalence, Effects, Screening, and Management. Journal of Women’s Health, 19(4), 583-591.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Reproductive Health: Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth.
Silverman, J.G., Decker, M.R., Reed, E., & Raj, A. (2006). Intimate Partner Violence Around the Time of Pregnancy: Association with Pregnancy Intendedness, Pregnancy-Related Care, and Newborn Health. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 195(2), 1-9.
Wallace, M.E., Gillispie-Bell, V., Cruz, K., Davis, K., & Howell, E. (2021). Homicide During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period in the United States. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 138(5), 762-769.
World Health Organization (WHO). Violence Against Women: A Major Risk Factor for Pregnancy-Related Deaths. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int.
Featured Image: Research shows there is an increased risk of intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Source: ryanking999 / Adobe Stock
