Battering During Pregnancy: Intervention Strategies

Interviews with 290 healthy pregnant women revealed that of the sample of black, Latino, and white pregnant women, 23 percent had been battered before or during the current pregnancy and 63.8 percent were unaware of resources available for battered women.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Battering during pregnancy is a major health problem affecting not only the pregnant woman but the unborn child. Battering frequently begins or escalates during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Interviews with 290 healthy pregnant women revealed that of the sample of black (22.4%), Latino (43.1%), and white (32.1%) pregnant women, 23 percent had been battered before or during the current pregnancy. Of these, 63.8 percent were unaware of resources available for battered women. Of those who were aware, the predominant resource cited was family. Perinatal caregivers can be instrumental in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of battering.