Pregnant Mothers’ Perceptions of how Intimate Partner Violence affects Their Unborn Children

Abstract

Objective To explore the perceptions of pregnant women on the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) as it affects maternal and fetal health. Design Secondary qualitative content analysis. Setting Individual interviews conducted within three urban obstetric and gynecologic clinics Participants Our sample included a subset of eight pregnant women experiencing IPV during the current pregnancy. Participants were selected from a larger parent study that included qualitative data from 13 women. Methods We analyzed in-depth individual interview transcripts in which participants discussed how they perceived IPV to affect their health as well as the health of their unborn children. Constant comparative techniques and conventional content analysis methodology were used in analysis. Results Three themes emerged to illustrate mothers’ perceptions of how IPV influenced maternal and fetal outcomes: protection, fetal awareness, and fetal well-being. Conclusions This analysis provides important insights into concerns that pregnant women experiencing IPV shared about maternal attachment and fetal well-being. Health care providers can use these findings to better assess the physical and psychological concerns of pregnant women experiencing IPV. Further research is needed to better understand how IPV contributes to adverse neonatal outcomes, particularly from a biological perspective.

Factors related to parenting confidence among pregnant women experiencing intimate partner violence.

“…Belsky’s framework aligns with current research on IPV and parenting. Specifically, mothers experiencing prenatal violence report worrying that IPV is harming the growth and health of their baby in utero, including concerns that the baby is aware of and experiencing problematic effects from the violence (Alhusen & Wilson, 2015). Research also indicates that pregnant women recognize the negative effect that IPV can have on children and try to modify their behavior to protect their baby (Alhusen & Wilson, 2015; Lévesque & Chamberland, 2016).…”

“…Specifically, mothers experiencing prenatal violence report worrying that IPV is harming the growth and health of their baby in utero, including concerns that the baby is aware of and experiencing problematic effects from the violence (Alhusen & Wilson, 2015). Research also indicates that pregnant women recognize the negative effect that IPV can have on children and try to modify their behavior to protect their baby (Alhusen & Wilson, 2015; Lévesque & Chamberland, 2016). Such findings show that pregnant women recognize the gravity of IPV exposure on their unborn children and try to prioritize the safety of the baby, yet these proactive behaviors are interwoven with worry about their ability to protect the baby and fears for the baby’s development.…”

“…IPV during pregnancy has intergenerational consequences, with problematic health effects for both the pregnant woman and her unborn child (Paulson & Miller-Graff, 2019; Sharps, Laughon, & Giangrande, 2007). Prenatal IPV is also detrimental to a mother’s perceptions of her unborn child and early parenting abilities, which may negatively affect infant development (Alhusen & Wilson, 2015). Although several studies on IPV exposure have included information about early parenting behaviors and processes, less research has addressed pregnant women’s sense of confidence in their parenting abilities.…”