Abuse of an expectant mother. This abuse is most often
perpetrated by the woman's spouse, partner, or relative. Spurts of temper can progress
to shouting and name calling. Then pushing and shoving. The use of physical violence
can start a pattern. It is estimated that 1 in 12 pregnant women is battered. Most
cases of pregnancy abuse are not reported because the woman who was beaten is afraid
or ashamed or is dependent on the abuser.
Pregnancy abuse is not only bad for the pregnant woman, it may also affect the
health of her unborn baby. In a study of 1,004 women interviewed within 3 days of
delivery, over 5% reported they had been abused during their pregnancy by their
partners. The maternal abuse showed a significant correlation with the baby's low
birth weight. Pregnant women who had been abused by their partners were more likely
to deliver low birth weight babies. Low birth weight babies have more health problems
than infants born at normal weight. (Reference: American Journal of Epidemiology
1999;150:714-726.)
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