Why Women Are at Greater Risk of Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy

It is from ABC Lifestyle.

The topic is domestic violence.

It was published on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, at 11:58 am.

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy increases the risk for the mother and her baby.

When Hayley was pregnant, her husband went to her medical appointments.

But he did not go to support her.

This story talks about experiences of abuse.

Hayley's husband watched her in examination rooms and asked her if she liked what the doctor did.

He accused her of cheating with the doctors she saw for her pregnancy.

This was one example of the control and abuse Hayley experienced during her pregnancies.

Pregnancy was a time when the abuse got worse for Hayley.

She felt trapped in her house and in her body.

Hayley did not want to be pregnant and felt alone.

There are services that support people who experience family and domestic violence.

Other resources can also help.

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy is a big risk.

Research shows that women are at greater risk of intimate partner violence during pregnancy and after giving birth.

Intimate partner violence increases the risk of death, physical and mental health problems for the mother.

Women who experience intimate partner violence are more likely to have chronic diseases and mental health issues.

Intimate partner violence also increases the risk of the baby being born with a low weight or prematurely.

This can lead to health problems for the baby, like jaundice and diabetes.

Many instances of violence are not reported, so it is hard to know how common it is.

According to a survey, 27% of women have experienced violence or abuse from a partner.

42% of these women experienced violence during pregnancy, and 17% experienced it for the first time during pregnancy.

Women's focus on their baby can make it hard for partners who are abusive.

A study found that 5% of first-time mothers were afraid of their partner during pregnancy.

When asked about specific behaviors, almost one in five women reported partner violence in the year after having their first baby.

In the same study, 29% of mothers reported partner abuse in the first four years after giving birth.

Another study found that over 10 years, 4.3% of pregnant women disclosed domestic violence when asked by a midwife.

The researchers knew this number was low because women often do not disclose domestic violence.

Intimate partner violence can increase during pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be a time when women feel more independent and aware of themselves.

Women's focus on their baby and their reduced availability during pregnancy may limit their ability to do traditional homemaker roles, leading to more violence.

Alina Thomas is the CEO of Engender Equality, which supports people affected by family and domestic violence.

She says domestic violence is about power and control, and a pregnancy can challenge that for the person who is violent.

The person who is violent may see the baby as competition for time and attention.

They may see medical interventions as a threat because they do not like other people connecting with their partner.

When the person who is violent feels they are losing control, the abusive behaviors can get worse.

During her pregnancies, Hayley was monitored and controlled more intensely.

Her husband would take her keys, throw things, and chase her if she tried to leave.

He would slap her, send her to her room, and check her phone and bank account constantly.

The person who is violent may view their partner as more vulnerable because she will do anything to protect the baby.

Intimate partner violence can also include reproductive coercion, where someone is stopped from making their own choices about pregnancy and having children.

Who perpetrates domestic violence and who people think perpetrates it are not always the same.

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy can look different for every victim.

It can include physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.

Willa's ex-husband forced her to work long hours and did not give her enough food during her pregnancy.

She was forced to work even during labor.

She had miscarriages, which she thinks were due to overwork and poor nutrition.

Her ex-husband did not let her eat decent meals because of the long hours at work.

During labor, Willa's ex-husband disrupted her birth plans and controlled her pain medication.

Victim-survivors report an increase in jealous and possessive behavior from their partners during pregnancy.

Hayley experienced financial abuse, which got worse during her pregnancy.

She had a budget for what she could spend on herself for pregnancy necessities.

She would argue with her husband about nappies and what she could put in her hospital bag.

After giving birth, Hayley was expected to do everything and was not given time to recover.

She had to change nappies, feed the kids, clean the house, and do other chores.

Identifying intimate partner violence and getting help is important.

Hayley and Willa did not recognize they were experiencing intimate partner violence at the time.

Hayley had experienced abuse from a young age and thought it was normal.

When she said something, she was told to leave and that it was her fault.

Escaping a violent relationship is complicated.

Even for those who decide to leave, it can be logistically challenging and extremely dangerous.

Disclosing abuse can be difficult, but there are ways to help those in our lives feel safer to share.

There are extra layers of complexity for pregnant victim-survivors, including societal expectations.

If someone falls pregnant and wants to leave a relationship, it can feel almost impossible for friends and family.

There is pressure to stay in the relationship because a child needs two parents and a male role model.

Alina Thomas encourages victim-survivors to disclose what they are experiencing to someone they trust.

It may be a professional involved in supporting the pregnancy, such as midwives or GPs.

Professor Dahlen says midwives play a crucial role in identifying abuse and connecting victim-survivors with specialist services.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, experts recommend contacting 1800RESPECT.

It was published on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, at 11:58 am.

It was published on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, at 12:05 pm.

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There are services that support people who experience family and domestic violence.