Violence in pregnancy challenge

Monday December 7th, 2009

Doctors and midwives caring for pregnant women need to step up the search for signs of domestic violence, a conference is to be told today.

Violence is one of the leading causes of loss of pregnancy - sometimes because of the murder of the mother.

Dr Abdelrahman Mageed, an obstetrician from Erne Hospital, Northern Ireland, reports today on his study of the impact of violence on pregnancy.

He says violence in pregnancy is increasing - and that already 30 per cent of violence begins when the woman is pregnant.

Speaking to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists International Scientific Meeting in Abu Dhabi, he will say: "Domestic violence often remains behind closed doors and agencies don't want to be seen to interfere in a 'domestic'.

"When domestic violence is suspected, it is our duty as doctors to be involved and to protect the mother. When violence is disclosed during the consultation, a sympathetic hearing and safety assessment are important.

"Healthcare professionals, who are often the pregnant woman's first-point-of-contact, need to be trained to manage this process and to detect vulnerable women."

He added: "We should offer to inform the police or recommend hospital admission.

"An inter-agency approach is needed to develop an exit strategy so that these women can be cared for in a safe environment. The health system needs to work closely with women's support groups, so that comprehensive care packages are made available."

Tags: Childbirth and Pregnancy | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

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