Working with Battered Women: a Handbook for ... - Hot Peach Pages

FACTS ON WIFE ABUSE AND PREGNANCY• Women who are abused by their male partner may be abused during their pregnancy (21% ofwomen who were abused reported being physically and/or sexually assaulted duringpregnancy) 1• Pregnancy is a high-risk time for the onset of physical or sexual abuse by a male partner.(40% of women who were assaulted during their pregnancy reported that the assault beganduring their pregnancy.)2• Many women live in a situation in which they must cope with high levels of stress andanxiety brought on by their partner’s continuous emotional abuse. This stress affects theirmental and physical health and therefore may negatively impact their pregnancy.• Approximately one-quarter (25%) of ever married women who were assaulted by theirpartner reported using alcohol or medication to help them cope with the situation. If theabused women using these substances are pregnant, then their health and the future health oftheir children are at risk. 3• An American study found that abused women were more likely to begin prenatal care late intheir pregnancies. (25% of abused adolescent women and 20% of abused adult women in thisstudy did not begin care until the final three months of pregnancy). 4• During pregnancy, assaults become focussed on the woman's breasts, abdomen and genitals.• These assaults can result in placental separation, antepartum hemorrhage, fetal fractures,rupture of the uterus, liver or spleen and preterm babies.• Many abused women are sexually assaulted by their partners. Sexual assault could haveserious health implications for pregnant women, especially when it occurs during thepostpartum period.• Pregnant women who have been abused are at increased risk of having low birth weightinfants (12.5% verses 6.6%).5References:1. The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. Juristat Service Bulletin, Wife Assault: The Finding: of aNational Survey, Karen Rodgers. Vol 14. no.9, March 1994. p.12.2. The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Ibid.3. The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistical, p.11, Ibid.4. Parker B, McFarlane J. et al "Physical and Emotional Abuse in Pregnancy: A Comparison of Adultand Teenage Women, Nursing Research. Vol 42, No.3, p 173-177 May/June 1993.5. Cited In, Sampells C, Petersen B, Mullard T and Darley D, Abuse Among Pregnant WomenChoosing Certified Nurse-Midwife or Physician Providers, Journal of Nurse-Midwifery, Vol 37,No.4, July/August 1992, p.270.43