What To Do If You’re In an Abusive Relationship and Pregnant

Relationships can be hard. They require work, compromise, and give and take. But what happens when things become one-sided and you’re doing all the work, all the giving, and all the compromising? Not only that, but what if the relationship becomes abusive and you’re pregnant? More than 300,000 pregnant women in the US experience intimate partner violence each year, according to the CDC. One in six women experience abuse for the first time during pregnancy. So what can you do to keep yourself and your baby safe?

First, realize that asking for help doesn’t make you weak—it makes you a great mother, showing that you’re trying to keep yourself and your unborn baby safe. You can let your healthcare provider know about the situation you’re in. Try to attend prenatal appointments without your partner to increase your chances of asking for help. You can visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s website for a list of questions to ask yourself about abuse, important safety planning tips, and numbers to call in each state for services. You can also chat online with someone.

Another thing you can do is pack a getaway bag with clothes, cash, water, some food, an ID, and any other important documents you may need in case you have to leave quickly. Finally, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. They provide confidential crisis intervention, counseling, and referrals to local resources. Options United is another call center you can reach out to for referrals to local resources, counseling, and intervention when facing a difficult situation.

Domestic violence is a real and very scary thing, especially when you’re pregnant. Not only must you worry about your safety, but also the safety of your unborn child. These stresses can make getting out of the situation much harder. But remember, you are not alone—you have people you can reach out to who can help you leave safely.