Re: Domestic Violence & Pregnancy

[AnaraG@xxxxxxx (AnaraG)]

I am not a member of this listserv but a colleague forwarded the message
to me. It is correct that women of childbearing age are also women who
are more likely to be battered (they are also more likely to be in relation-
ships) but that does not mean that pregnant women are not at even greater
risk.

There have been a few studies done here in the US on abuse during pregnancy.
Estimates range from 6 to 17% of all pregnancies. In addition, from 4 - 21% of 
ABUSED women report having been abused while they were pregnant. The rates
are even higher for adolescents who are pregnant than for pregnant adults
(26% vs. 10%; 22% vs. 16%; etc.). Although some women and girls report that
pregnancy provides a protective time for them, giving respite from ongoing
abuse, for many others, abuse begins either during the pregnancy or in the
immediate postpartum period.

As far as miscarraige rates, here in the US, most studies have dropped
participants who miscarry so the only evidence we have, like the Australian
survey, is anecdotal. Many women do attribute their miscarraiges directly
to beatings they have received. Abused women have been found to be twice
as likely as nonabused women to experience preterm labor [Berenson AJOG 1994]
and several authors have reported an association between abuse and low
birthweight [Bullock, AJN 1989; Parker, ObGyn 1994; Schei Scand J Soc
Med 1991]

More information can be found in my recent publication "Violence and Teen
Pregnancy: A resource guide for maternal and child health practitioners". 1997.
64 pages. $13.00. See www.edc.org/HHD/csn for the executive summary or
email to csn@edc.org for more information.

Anara Guard
Education Development Center, Inc.
55 Chapel Street
Newton MA 02158-1060
csn@edc.org 

______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________
Subject: Domestic Violence & Pregnancy
Author:  CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@cornell.edu at Internet
Date:    9/30/97 7:11 AM


Dear all,
       Does anyone out there know of any research in the area of domestic
or spouse abuse/violence during pregnancy.  Anecdotal & clinical evidence 
suggests that the violence often begins or escalates during the woman's 
pregnancy thus putting the unborn child particularly at risk.  A recent 
survey here in Australia of the readership of a popular and respectable 
women's magazine has reported that over 11% of a 2000+ sample reported 
having a miscarriage as a result of the violence they had experienced. 
However I have heard an opinion to the effect that the violence does not 
neccesarily escalate or begin during pregnancy but rather the age grouping 
of women who are likely to be pregnant are  equivalant to the age group of 
women generally most at risk of being the victim of spousal violence. All 
input is appreciated,
With thanks,
     
Kym Kilpatrick
     
Regards,
     
Kym.
     
Kym Kilpatrick                     e-mail: kkilpatr@metz.une.edu.au 
Psychology Department,             phone: + 61 67 73-2568 
University of New England,         fax:   + 61 67 73-3820
Armidale NSW 2351, Australia