The journey through pregnancy is often depicted as a period of profound joy and anticipation. However, for a distressing number of women in Australia, this time can be overshadowed by heightened fear and control, as intimate partner violence (IPV) escalates significantly during gestation and the postpartum period. Hayley, a woman who has bravely escaped an abusive relationship, shared her harrowing experiences, illustrating the grim reality faced by many. Her husband’s insistence on attending medical appointments was not born of support, but rather a tool for surveillance and manipulation. “He would watch me in examination rooms and then ask me after if I liked what the doctor had done to me, and I would often get accused of cheating with professionals I had to see for my pregnancy,” she recalls. This invasive behaviour was part of a broader pattern of control that left Hayley feeling trapped, not just within her home, but within her own body. “Pregnancy was a time for escalated abuse for me. I felt trapped. Not only in my house, but also in my body. I didn’t want to be pregnant, I didn’t feel safe, and I felt alone.”
The Alarming Rise of Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy
Research consistently points to pregnancy as a period of increased vulnerability to intimate partner violence. Deirdre Gartland, a senior research fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, explains that IPV during this critical time carries severe consequences. It elevates the risk of maternal mortality, alongside a host of physical and mental health issues that can persist long into adulthood. Women who endure IPV are more susceptible to chronic diseases, ongoing pain, substance abuse problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
The impact extends to the unborn child as well. Professor Hannah Dahlen, a leading midwifery expert at Western Sydney University, highlights that IPV can lead to adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight and premature birth. These early complications can, in turn, be linked to serious health problems in infancy such as jaundice, anaemia, and respiratory distress, and even contribute to the development of diabetes and heart disease later in life.
Measuring the true prevalence of IPV during pregnancy is a challenge, as many incidents remain unreported. However, available data paints a concerning picture. According to the 2021-22 Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey, a significant 27 per cent of Australian women have experienced violence or abuse from a partner. Alarmingly, of these women, 42 per cent reported that this violence occurred during their pregnancy, with a staggering 17 per cent experiencing partner violence for the very first time during this vulnerable period.
Further research conducted by Dr. Gartland, involving over 1,500 first-time Australian mothers, revealed that 5 per cent admitted to being afraid of their current partner during their pregnancy. While this figure captures the more severe manifestations of abuse, a broader examination of specific behaviours – including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse – indicated a much higher rate. Almost one in five women reported experiencing partner violence in the year following the birth of their first child. In the same cohort, a substantial 29 per cent of mothers disclosed experiencing partner abuse within the first four years postpartum.
Professor Dahlen’s earlier research from 2018, focusing on Western Sydney, found that 4.3 per cent of pregnant women disclosed domestic violence when directly asked by a midwife during their initial hospital visit over a ten-year period. Professor Dahlen acknowledges that this figure is likely an underestimate, as women often feel hesitant to disclose such sensitive information to a healthcare professional, even in a seemingly safe environment.
Understanding the Drivers of Escalated Violence
Several factors contribute to the heightened risk of IPV during pregnancy. The Australian Institute of Family Studies suggests that pregnancy can sometimes be perceived by the perpetrator as a period of increased autonomy and self-awareness for the woman. Furthermore, a pregnant woman’s focus on her baby and her potentially reduced physical and emotional availability for traditional domestic roles may be interpreted by an abuser as a challenge to their control, leading to increased aggression.
Alina Thomas, CEO of Engender Equality, a Tasmanian non-profit supporting those affected by family and domestic violence, explains that at its core, domestic violence is about power and control. A pregnancy can disrupt this dynamic for the perpetrator, who may view the unborn child as a rival for their partner’s attention and time. “They might be seeing the baby as competition for time, for attention,” she states. “They might be seeing the additional medical intervention as a threat, as they might not like other people connecting with their partner and supporting them.” When perpetrators feel their control slipping, abusive behaviours often intensify.
Hayley’s experience corroborates this, with her pregnancies marked by intense monitoring and restrictions, including being forbidden to leave the house. Her abuser resorted to physical intimidation, such as taking her keys, throwing objects, and even pursuing her if she attempted to flee. He subjected her to physical assaults, confined her to her room, monitored her movements and communications, and scrutinised her finances. Professor Dahlen notes that abusers may also exploit a pregnant partner’s perceived vulnerability, capitalising on her strong instinct to protect her unborn child.
Dr. Gartland also points to “reproductive coercion” as a significant form of IPV during pregnancy. This involves a partner controlling a woman’s reproductive choices, preventing her from making her own decisions about contraception, pregnancy, and childbearing.
The Multifaceted Nature of Violence During Pregnancy
Intimate partner violence during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period can manifest in diverse ways, affecting each victim-survivor uniquely. Ms. Thomas highlights that it encompasses physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
Willa, another survivor who wishes to remain anonymous, recounted being forced to work excessively long hours in their family business, even up to and during labour, and being deprived of adequate nutrition. “I had miscarriages and I believe they were a result of overwork, lack of folate and poor nutrition,” she shared. Her ex-husband’s control extended to her birth experience, where he interfered with her carefully laid birth plans and dictated her choices regarding pain medication.
According to Ms. Thomas, victim-survivors frequently report an increase in jealousy, possessiveness, and unfounded accusations of infidelity from their partners during pregnancy. Hayley experienced a severe escalation of financial abuse while pregnant. She was subjected to strict budgets for pregnancy necessities, leading to arguments even over the cost of nappies and essential items for her hospital bag.
The postpartum period offered no respite. Hayley was expected to immediately resume all domestic duties, including childcare, housework, shopping, cooking, and yard maintenance, regardless of her physical recovery. Her partner even discouraged breastfeeding beyond two months, asserting that her body was for his use.
Recognizing the Signs and Seeking Support
Both Hayley and Willa admitted that they didn’t initially recognise their experiences as intimate partner violence. Hayley explained her normalised perception of abuse due to experiencing it from a young age: “I have been through sexual, physical, psychological and economic abuse from an early age. I just assumed this was normal.” When she did attempt to voice her concerns, she was often met with dismissal, blame, and unhelpful platitudes. The shame and self-blame she experienced, compounded by the guilt of exposing her children to the abuse, took a significant emotional toll.
Leaving an abusive relationship is an incredibly complex and often dangerous undertaking. For pregnant victim-survivors, additional barriers arise, including societal pressures and misconceptions. Ms. Thomas observes that friends and family may struggle to comprehend a pregnant woman wanting to leave, often perpetuating myths such as “you can’t be pregnant on your own” or “a child needs two parents and male role models.”
Ms. Thomas strongly encourages victim-survivors to confide in someone they trust, whether it be a family member, friend, or a professional involved in their pregnancy care. This could include midwives, GPs, antenatal educators, or support group facilitators. Professor Dahlen emphasises the critical role midwives play in identifying signs of abuse and connecting women with appropriate specialist services.
For anyone experiencing abuse, expert advice recommends reaching out to 1800RESPECT, a national domestic violence helpline that can provide confidential support and connect individuals with local services.
