Preventing Abuse During Pregnancy: An Assessment and Intervention Protocol

Abstract

Assessment for abuse, with education, advocacy, and referrals, is easy to do during prenatal visits. It will make a difference.

“My husband beat me during each pregnancy. He threw away the vitamins and would not let me go back to the clinic. He said I didn't need the medicine for the kidney infection. I was too scared to go to the emergency room. I knew the doctor or nurse would look at me and ask, or wonder, ‘Why does she stay?... Why won't she leave?’ All those kicks, all those beatings, all those falls, there was no one for me. I would sit alone at night and imagine receiving a hug.”