did you know? Researchers estimate that 8% of the female population is subjected to physical violence during their pregnancy.2 Up to 70% of women who are abused before pregnancy continue to be abused throughout their pregnancy.3 Physical violence tends to intensify after the abuser learns of the pregnancy.4 Pregnant women who are abused by their partners have a higher risk for alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use, depression, and suicide attempts during the pregnancy.5 Although clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of abuse screening by doctors, only 10% of doctors screen for abuse during new-patient visits and 9% screen for abuse during periodic checkups.1 Up to 50% of adolescent mothers experience intimate partner violence before, during or just after their pregnancy.1 effects on reproductive health Studies show that physically and sexually violent experiences increase a woman’s risk of HIV and STD transmission, the exacerbation of chronic health problems and negative birth outcomes.3 Abused women are twice as likely to delay prenatal care.3 Several studies have found significant associations between abuse during pregnancy and low birth weights, miscarriages, preterm labor and cesarean delivery. 3 Abused women are more likely than other women to be forced to engage in behaviors that increase their risk of being exposed to STDs.3 Women experiencing abuse during or just prior to pregnancy are 60% more likely to have high blood pressure, vaginal bleeding, severe nausea, kidney or urinary tract infections, and hospitalization during pregnancy as compared to non-abused women…

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