Day six 16 days - Pregnancy

A short post today. The care of pregnant women is at the core of my role as a midwife. Therefore the fact that pregnancy is a time in a woman's life when she is more likely to be affected by domestic violence is even more heart-breaking. It is both more likely to start and more likely to increase in frequency and severity. It is mind-blowing to me that this is even possible, and I am a person who is well informed and not altogether optimistic about the actions of men toward women.

The consequences of violence against pregnant women include growth restricted babies, pre-term birth, haemorrhage and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage and stillbirth). The psychological impact is far reaching to women including a multitude of mental health disorders. The impact of children caught up in domestic violence include physical harm, poor self esteem, higher incidences of adverse childhood events, drug abuse in teenage, eating disorders, depression, self harm and suicide.

Womens Aid published a report about the impact of DV on children and young people, read it here.

If you are pregnant and suffering any form of domestic abuse, please reach out. Call Refuge on 0808 2000 247, speak to your midwife, speak to anyone you trust but please do say something to someone. Even if you're not feeling that you can leave the situation right now, make the first step to a safer future by saying those first words to someone you can trust. If you are in immediate danger please call 999 (UK).


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