Pregnancy and domestic violence

For many women pregnancy is a time of happiness and anticipation. But that isn't the case for every pregnant woman. Many women experience domestic violence during pregnancy.

• over a third of domestic violence starts of gets worse when a woman is pregnant
• one midwife in five knows that at least one of her expectant mothers is a victim of domestic violence
• a further one ins five midwives sees at least one woman a week who she suspects is a victim of domestic violence

Domestic violence during pregnancy puts a pregnant woman and her unborn child in danger. It increases the risk of miscarriage, infection, premature birth, low birth weight, foetal injury and foetal death.

The government is looking at ways of helping midwives and other healthcare professionals find out whether pregnant women are, or at risk of becoming, victims of domestic violence.

If you are pregnant and being abused, Refuge can help you. Your abusive partner is not only potentially endangering your life, but also the life of your unborn baby.

Please call the Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline*. We're there to listen, support and help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All calls are confidential.

Mel Rawding turned to Refuge after she was abused during her pregnancy:

Mel had never suspected her fiancé - a gunner in the Navy - could be violent but that changed as soon as they got married. At the time Mel was three and a half months pregnant with their first child.

'Ronnie's behaviour became increasingly threatening,' recalls Mel. 'He would constantly abuse me emotionally and mentally - telling me I was no good, that no-one liked me. He slammed doors, smashed windows and threw dishes. 'I got used to dead legs and bruised arms, the jealousy and possessiveness - they became a part of everyday life. At the time I didn't realise how lonely and isolated I was.'

Read Mel's story here

Raising awareness amongst midwives

In June 2005 Sandra Horley, OBE, chief executive of Refuge, addressed the Nursing and Midwifery Council at the annual midwifery conference to raise awareness of the problem whilst highlighting the vital role midwives can play in supporting women experiencing domestic violence.

As part of the presentation Sandra gave the following statistics (sourced by the Royal College of Midwives, 2004) - that 88% of midwives feel that they should be able to provide help and information to women in this situation, but 28% felt that they did not have the adequate training or skills to do this. Sandra urged that domestic violence training become a mandatory requirement for all antenatal professionals. No one can afford to be complacent about domestic violence.

Many of the attendees said that the lecture left them feeling inspired to make changes in their own practice area.

* run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge