What are the treatments for the injury?

If a doctor suspects that a woman is abused, she should be given the chance to talk without her partner present. Abused women are more likely to talk about the abuse to other women or to people who offer protection and support.

The goal of treatment is to get the woman away from the abuser. If she decides to leave the abuser, she needs a means of escape. Most communities have shelters, counseling services, and other resources to help her leave the dangerous situation. The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE, offers information and support 24 hours a day. Local crisis shelters can provide a place to stay for women and children on a nightly basis. They provide counseling, legal and hospital advocacy, and community education.

Pregnant women who leave their abusers sometimes return home. Money problems or the belief that they cannot properly care for themselves on their own may bring them back home. They may see no other option but to return home to the abuser. It is important to make sure that an abused pregnant woman knows about the options for support and protection that are available in her community.

What happens after treatment for the injury?

Abuse during pregnancy may leave lasting psychological effects. Sadly, about 70% of men who abuse their female partners will also abuse their children. This supports the belief that a cycle of violence can last for generations.