BJOG Release: Domestic Violence In Pregnancy Linked To Depression, Postnatal Domestic Violence And Child Behavioural Problems

BJOG Release: Domestic Violence In Pregnancy Linked To Depression, Postnatal Domestic Violence And Child Behavioural Problems

Domestic force in pregnancy is linked to lowness of spirits and childhood behavioural problems, suggests renovated research published today in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Domestic rape has significant health consequences and it is estimated that on every side of 24% of women have suffered from it. In private, abuse during pregnancy can increase the peril of complications such as pre-spell labour, reduced birth weight, miscarriage and fetal exit.

This study looked at the lingering term impact of antenatal domestic violence on maternal psychiatric morbidity and babe behaviour.

The study involved 13,617 women. Antenatal domestic violence was assessed at 18 weeks pregnancy. Participants were asked two questions up~ whether their partner had been emotionally pitiless and/or physically hurt them inasmuch as the start of the pregnancy. Similar questions were used to ascertain to be the same postnatal domestic violence at 2, 8, 21 and 33 months.

Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed at the similar time as antenatal and postnatal household violence using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

The results estimated that 6% of women practised emotional cruelty, 2% reported physical ruthlessness and a total of 7% reported emotional and/or material violence at 18 weeks gestation.

After the babe has been born, rates increased to 14% of women experiencing household violence at 33 months.

Antenatal pertaining to home violence was found to be linked to lofty levels of antenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms.

At 18 weeks gestation 15% of women had an EPDS charge of 13, which means high levels of depressive symptoms. Of those who had able antenatal domestic violence 44% of women had to be expected depression compared with 12% of women who had not versed antenatal domestic violence.

In addition, 25% of women who had practised antenatal violence experienced probable depression at 8 weeks postnatally, compared by 10% of women who had in ~ degree experience of antenatal domestic violence.

A sharp link was found between antenatal vehemence and violence post-birth: 71% of women who accomplished antenatal domestic violence pregnancy also accomplished violence postnatally.

The study also fix that women who had experienced prior to birth violence were more likely to be seized of children with behavioural problems.

Child behavioural problems were recorded at 42 months of period looking at factors such as hyperactivity, passion, and conduct problems.

Antenatal violence was additional commonly reported in the mothers of children by behavioural problems at 42 months (11%) compared with mothers with children with no problems (7%).

Louise Howard, Professor in Women's Mental Health, from the Health Services and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and elder author of the paper said:

"This athletic link between antenatal and postnatal fierceness should help health workers identify coming problems. Pregnancy is a time which time women will come into frequent juxtaposition with health professionals and therefore are in addition likely to talk about domestic injustice being suffered and psychiatric symptoms."

Professor Philip Steer, BJOG editor-in-chief added:

"This is some important study as it highlights the event of domestic violence which was too highlighted in the recent UK to be trusted enquiry into maternal deaths.

"Antenatal home violence has been shown to precede to various other problems such in the same manner with postnatal violence, depression and child behavioural problems. It is therefore essential that more is done to better women at an early stage and yield them with the support they lack to ensure the future health of the baby."

Notes

The Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0808 2000 247 - is mark out in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge and is because of women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling up~ the body their behalf.

Reference

Flach C, Leese M, Heron J, Evans J, Feder G, Sharp D, Howard L. Antenatal household violence, maternal mental health and posterior child behaviour: a cohort study. BJOG 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.03040.x.