Addressing battering during pregnancy: Reducing low birth weight and ongoing abuse

It has been established that battering during pregnancy is a frequently occurring and significantly deleterious phenomena. This article reviews the evidence regarding dynamics, prevalence, outcomes, and cultural and other influences on this issue. Although tested interventions for abuse during pregnancy are limited, there are clear indications from research with other battered women for directions to be taken.Battering during pregnancy is a frequently occurring and significantly deleterious phenomenon and has received increasing attention in the areas of both research and practice. This article reviews the research conducted in the US related to battering during pregnancy, along with implications for interventions. In particular, the paper outlines the results of these studies concerning the prevalence of battering, its dynamics, health-related correlates, outcomes, and cultural influences. Although tested interventions for abuse during pregnancy are limited, there are clear indications from research with other battered women for directions to be taken. Addressing abuse during pregnancy is both a significant health enhancement and an important aspect of confronting other serious threats to maternal and infant health.