Pregnant women in domestic abuse situations a target for violence

DOCTORS have been told to pay more attention to pregnant women suffering under the threat of domestic violence and mental health issues after a string of violent maternal deaths was revealed.

Portrait of the young pregnant woman

DOCTORS have been told to pay more attention to pregnant women suffering under the threat of domestic violence and mental health issues after a string of violent maternal deaths was revealed.

A grim government report has found half the women to die during pregnancy or soon after giving birth were actually victims of homicide or suicide during 2010.

While the latest report into Victorian maternal and child deaths found there were no violent deaths for mothers in 2011, a committee has demanded regular training for doctors so they can better respond to pregnant women disclosing that they are victims of domestic violence, including providing access to safe houses.

The Consultative Council on Obstetric and Pediatric Mortality and Morbidity found that while five women died from medical complications in pregnancy during 2010, just as many died from violent acts.

The maternal deaths include one mother who was stabbed in the chest, another who was suffocated, two who took their own lives and one who died from an “undetermined” cause.

“Domestic violence continues to be a theme in the cause of death for women within or around the first year of birth,” the report states.

“Clinicians should routinely ask women about domestic violence in a secure and safe manner, using appropriate skills.”

Children also suffered at the hands of violence with 10 — including six under 10 — killed through assault or abuse, and mental illness in the perpetrator deemed to be a factor in just two of the incidents.

More than one in four teen deaths were the result of suicide, however the report warned the actual toll could be even greater than the 30 officially recorded and diagnosis of depression needed to be acted upon.

“Suspected depression should be taken seriously, with children subjected to bullying being particularly vulnerable,” the report finds.

The CCOPMM also called on health services to place a more focus on obese mothers, recommending women with a high BMI are transferred to specialist services and carefully reviewed for additional risk factors.

Of the more than 150,000 Victorian women to give birth during the two years, 40 per cent were either overweight or obese and about 5 per cent continued smoking beyond 20 weeks into their pregnancy.

The report also lashed out the availability of energy drinks for children, saying they are associated with adverse health events, particularly for those who already have health concerns.

“Together with other health groups, the CCOPMM supports a tighter regulation of caffeinated ‘energy drinks’ and public health warnings about the risks of these beverages,” the report states.