Episode 4: Domestic Violence During Pregnancy
Dr. Conte Terrell didn’t think she would be a victim of domestic abuse, but at four months pregnant, she lost her baby at the hands of her ex-husband.
In episode four of Mother’s First, hear Dr. Conte’s heartbreaking story of domestic abuse and her journey to leave that relationship. Tianca Gillard, a community care coordinator for Healthy Women Houston, shares how the organization offers support to pregnant women who are experiencing hardships, such as domestic violence.
Over a third of domestic violence starts or gets worse when a woman is pregnant. More than 14% of maternal deaths occur in women who have told their health professional they are in an abusive relationship. Domestic abuse during pregnancy puts you and your unborn child in danger. It increases the risk of miscarriage, infection, premature birth, and injury or death to the baby.
If you or someone you know if a victim of abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
For more information and to watch episodes, visit the Mothers First webpage here.
Mothers First is a project of Improving Maternal Health Houston in partnership with Houston Public Media and is supported by Houston Endowment.
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