Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Assaults During Pregnancy

Abstract

III.

A five year follow-up study of the Bristol pregnancy domestic violence programme to promote routine enquiry

“…Health consequences include: recurrent miscarriage, low birth weight, fetal injury, stillbirth, and maternal death (Helton et al, 1987;Bullock and McFarlane 1989;Mc Farlane et al, 1992, 1996Hunt and Martin 2001;Valladares et al, 2002;Neggers et al, 2004;El Kady et al, 2005;Faramarzi et al, 2005;Fanslow et al, 2008). The most serious cases in the UK were identified in the 'Centre for Maternal and Child Enquires Report' (CMACE) (Lewis, 2011) which highlighted that between 2006 -2008 of the fifty deaths reviewed, thirty four of the cases where women had died, domestic violence had been a significant feature of their experience.…”

Are There Differences in the Impact of Partner Violence on Reproductive Health Between Postpartum Women and Women Who Had an Elective Abortion?

“…Furthermore, IPV prior to or during the pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes related to pregnancy (preterm labour, hypertension, oedema, vaginal bleeding, placental problems, premature rupture of membranes, caesarean delivery and hospitalisation not associated with delivery); 13,14 as well as to foetal development and newborn health (miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, abruptio placentae, chorioamnionitis, neonatal death, etc.). [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Women who have an elective abortion (EA women) tend to be different from those who continue their pregnancy (postpartum (PP) women): they are more often poorly educated, without a job, without a stable relationship and at the extremes of what are usually considered the 'appropriate' reproductive ages in their societies (very young and older women).…”

“…[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Women who have an elective abortion (EA women) tend to be different from those who continue their pregnancy (postpartum (PP) women): they are more often poorly educated, without a job, without a stable relationship and at the extremes of what are usually considered the 'appropriate' reproductive ages in their societies (very young and older women). [14][15][16][21][22][23][24] Moreover, several studies have shown that they are also more likely to experience IPV. 12,20,24,25 Until now, no one has tackled the issue of whether the impact of IPV on reproductive health is similar in these two groups of women.…”

“…12,20,24,25 Until now, no one has tackled the issue of whether the impact of IPV on reproductive health is similar in these two groups of women. Given that EA may be associated with other social and economic problems, [14][15][16][21][22][23][24] these problems may compound or interact with the effects of IPV in these women, resulting in worse outcomes. On the other hand, it is possible that PP women may suffer more adverse health effects of IPV, especially if they were forced to go forward with the pregnancy by a violent partner.…”

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy: analysis of prevalence data from 19 countries

“…Established direct health effects of physical intimate partner violence during pregnancy include increased likelihood of miscarriage, 5 premature labour or delivery, 6 low birthweight, 7,8 higher levels of depression during and after pregnancy 9 and injury. 10 Indirect health effects include substance abuse, 11 delay in seeking antenatal care, 12 insufficient weight gain during pregnancy 13 and reduced levels of breastfeeding. 14 Knowing the prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy is the first step in helping to inform the development and implementation of interventions to prevent and treat sequelae.…”