Comments on: Domestic Violence and Pregnancy

By: links for 2009-04-27 « Embololalia

links for 2009-04-27 « Embololalia — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:09:34 +0000

[...] Domestic Violence and Pregnancy « Mothers For Women’s Lib Knowing that 30% of domestic violence starts or increases during pregnancy, and I haven’t been asked about domestic violence once, is frightening. This could be the one opportunity where someone could help. I may not know of Women’s Aid, or Refuge, or that the perpetrator’s behaviour towards me is anything other than ‘normal’. My life and my child’s life could be at risk. It isn’t, but my midwife doesn’t know that if she doesn’t ask, does she? (tags: domesticviolence gender relationships parents) [...]

By: Caren

Caren — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:34:08 +0000

Training is currently ongoing in the NHS to have midwives ask this question. However, it’s a bit of a difficult thing to raise. I was asked in an oblique sort of way. In fact, I was the subject of domestic violence at the time in each of my three pregnancies but I’d have denied to anybody who asked for fear of reprisals when it came out. My husband used to tell me I was an unfit mother and that he would ensure the children were taken away from me if I ever told anyone about the violence. In my scared state, I believed him. Silly thing is given the way the courts and Social Services treat domestic violence victims, it turns out he was half right in any case. Midwives are also being trained now to ask a woman if she has suffered childhood sexual abuse as giving birth can be particularly traumatic time for anyone who has suffered this.
But whether the training will be rolled out successfully is another matter and whether having CSA survivor put on the front of your medical notes will make you feel doctors are treating you differently and pigeon-holing you is another.
Horrific as the 100 deaths per year of women by their partners and ex partners is, I find the statistic that 500 women (mainly mothers) a year commit suicide within 6 months of reporting domestic violence even worse. Imagine the plight of these women, losing all hope that they will get the help they need.
The HOme Office has a consultation on domestic violence at the moment. It’s well worth reading and commenting on.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:58:32 +0000

No, I was never asked. Knowing it’s meant to be routine part of antenatal care (I’ve worked with domestic abuse organisations a bit), I thought I wasn’t asked because my partner is a woman (and raged about it, too, because same-sex partner abuse is even more invisible). No, I’m not suffering abuse, but nobody asked.

By: Ruth Moss

Ruth Moss — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 06:44:19 +0000

That red sticker idea sounds excellent. Should be rolled out across the country.

By: Annika

Annika — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:24:48 +0000

Thank you for reading!

Hopefully the health visitor will ask me, once the baby is here, eh?

It’s not always safe to ask, of course, especially if the partner is present. But there are ways around it.

The organisation I work for did a pilot in a hospital a few years ago. In the toilets, they put some red stickers on the back of the door. Women were encouraged to stick a red sticker on the bottom of their urine sample, if they were experiencing domestic violence. It worked.

I’m sure it’s government protocol for expectant mothers to be asked by health professionals.

By: Ruth Moss

Ruth Moss — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:10:37 +0000

Fab post Annika!

No, I was never asked. Not once.

By: Noble Savage

Noble Savage — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:36:59 +0000

I was asked, at both my booking in appointments and at the health visitor newborn visit at 2-3 weeks postpartum. I knew that pregnancy often escalates DV but I didn’t realise to what extent. How horrendous. Great post Annika!

By: phdinparenting

phdinparenting — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:41:09 +0000

I was asked. Both times. I’m glad I was. Everyone should be asked.

Fortunately and unfortunately, women in Canada can have their partner with them at prenatal appointments and most of them seem to. I didn’t. I went on my own, except to the ultrasound because my husband wanted to see the baby. I think it is great when dad’s want to be involved, but it also makes it more difficult for a health care provider to ask those tough questions if the guy is always there.

By: Anji

Anji — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:31:50 +0000

Wow Annika, what a post – what a first post! I can see I’m going to enjoy having you around. I have to be honest and admit I have never once thought about the possibility of domestic violence and pregnancy even being in the same sentence, and you’ve just opened my eyes and given me some serious food for thought. Thanks for an excellent, thoughtful post.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:59:44 +0000

I’ve had four pregnancies and have never been asked. It never occured to me that they should.