Domestic abuse in pregnancy

If your partner is violent

Domestic abuse or domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial. It is often a combination of these.

Pregnancy can be a trigger for domestic abuse, and existing abuse may get worse during pregnancy or after giving birth.

Domestic abuse during pregnancy puts you and your unborn child in danger. It increases the risk of miscarriage, infection, premature birth, and injury or death to the baby.

It can also cause emotional and mental health problems, such as stress and anxiety, which can affect the development of the baby.

Find out how to recognise the signs of domestic abuse

Getting help

If you're pregnant and being abused, get help. You can speak in confidence to a:

• GP
• midwife
• obstetrician
• health visitor
• social worker

Information about you will not be shared with other services without your permission, unless there's a concern that your unborn child or other children in your family, or someone else, is at risk of serious harm.

You can also get support from:

• the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge – call 0808 2000 247 for free confidential advice
• Refuge – find out more about the services available for women and children
• Women's Aid – find your local service for help in your area
• Galop – if you are LGBT+