Information and resources for professionals providing prenatal and perinatal care for childbearing women who are in an abusive relationship. Doulas, midwives, nurses and other health care providers with pregnant women in their care, need to understand the dynamics and impact of woman abuse during the childbearing year. Page 2:
About Woman Abuse in the Childbearing Year: page 1 -(you are on page 2)- page 3
During labour and delivery, the abusive partner may:
"Failure to treat depression during pregnancy can have severe consequences for both mothers and babies and is the strongest predictor of postpartum depression."
When a woman is being abused, her ability to maintain her mental health is compromised. Research has found that women who experienced abuse during their pregnancies also experienced physical abuse postpartum and suffered psychological distress as a result. (Stewart, 1994)
Studying women who experience severe postpartum depression (PPD), researchers have found a significant correlation with a history of physical and/or sexual abuse. Mothers who are depressed can have difficulty fostering healthy attachment with their children, taking care of themselves and/or their children and may be much more vulnerable to abuse from their partners. Therefore the ability to seek supports and therefore safety, may be unattainable for her while she is depressed. Placing too many expectations on her may result in increasing her isolation and her withdrawal from services.
Research has also shown that infants of depressed mothers are at increased risk of behavioural problems, emotional difficulties, and delays in growth and language development. Studies show that depressed mothers are less involved with their infants. (Mayo Clinic Health Information)
Identifying women who may be prone to postpartum depression, through universal screening practices, may assist caregivers in developing plans of action with their patients/clients to alleviate some of the impacts PPD can have on moms and babes. For instance, plans of action may include the following:
Goals include the following:
Remember that her abusive partner depends on her isolation to maintain control over her.
Ongoing woman abuse has devastating effects on a woman's ability to mother. She may have little say in parenting decisions or she may be held solely responsible for all infant care. Living with chaos, fear and uncertainty, she may begin to doubt her own ability to mother. This feeling can be further exacerbated if her abusive partner is overly critical of her parenting or takes steps to undermine her role as a mother. For instance, being the "good guy" and refusing to play a role in disciplining their child(ren). He may also refuse to pay child support should she leave the relationship, or tell the children that she is to blame for the break-up.
Suggested reading:
Postpartum Depression: A guide for front-line health and social service providers (2005) — Centre For Addiction and Mental Health, www.camh.net
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