When Pregnancy Isn't "Safe": The Struggle of Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Stress on Women's Mental and Physical Health.

INTRODUCTION

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and traumatic stress during pregnancy are major public health issues, particularly for women of color.

METHOD: Using data from the 2019 to 2021 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, this cross-sectional study examines the association of IPV and traumatic stress on the prenatal physical and mental health of women of color who have recently given birth.

RESULTS

Hispanic women reporting IPV during pregnancy had increased odds of prenatal depression and diabetes compared to non-Hispanic White women with no IPV. Significant risk for diabetes was observed only among Hispanic women when stratified by race/ethnicity. Financial instability, partner incarceration, income, and being uninsured are structural factors that amplify these effects.

DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the value of culturally competent trauma-informed prenatal care, screens for IPV, and address systemic disparities. A collaborative initiative is necessary to ensure women can safely conceive by acknowledging survivor's experiences and eliminating obstacles to reproductive health care.