Summary: Adverse Effects Of Societal Abuse On Pregnant Women

When women are pregnant and live in an abusive situation, that abuse not only affects her but her unborn child. They are considerably more likely to experience negative pregnancy outcomes including, maternal, fetal, and neonatal mortality than women who are not abused. Additionally, fetal injury such as low birth weight, preterm delivery, and small size for gestational age are seen more frequently among these women. Pregnant women are at more than double the risk of going into labor early than women who have not been abused (Gentry & Bailey, 2014). The adverse effects of IPV are felt not only by the mother but by her unborn child. This is evidenced by the increased instances of preterm labor, low birth weight, and small size for gestational age. According to the “risky family …show more content…
People who experience emotional abuse while pregnant may be at higher risk for depression than women who are not pregnant experiencing the same type of abuse. Women who experience any abuse during pregnancy have been found to be more likely to abuse alcohol. They are more likely to be in a lower socioeconomic status and more likely to suffer from mental health problems compared to women who have not been abused. Subsequently, abuse may be a risk factor for adverse pregnancy health outcomes and activities such as substance abuse, insufficient weight gain. They are less likely to take advantage of prenatal care, which may influence pregnancy outcomes (Gentry & Bailey, 2014). Because of the stress that stems from IPV some women use substances to help them cope. Any substance the mother ingests the baby ingests as well, and can be born addicted to that substance. Abused women may be fearful of going to the doctor and as a result, do not take care of themselves as well as they need to while pregnant. This can impact the baby's health and birth