Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnancy & Postpartum

Continuing our exploration of holding space for those in our care through the perinatal period, we are turning our attention to those experiencing intimate partner violence. As we consider the many systemic failures in our birthcare and postpartum support, we must look at the number one cause of perinatal deaths: homicide. How do we screen for, recognize, and provide resources to those experiencing violence?

Dr Phyllis Sharps joins us this week to share information from her 5 decades of supporting vulnerable perinatal populations, particularly focused on the intersection of pregnancy & intimate partner violence.

Phyllis W. Sharps, PhD, RN, FAAN, (she/her) Professor Emerita, and former Elsie M. Lawler Endowed Chair and Associate Dean for Community Programs and Initiatives, at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Dr. Sharps was the inaugural director for theCenter for Community Innovation and Scholarship (CCIAS), and the East Baltimore Community Nurse Centers (EBCNC), three community-based nurse led initiatives of the School of Nursing. She has been the principal investigator for $3.5 M 5 year research grant funded by NINR, Domestic Violence Enhanced Home Visitation – DOVE, and also for a second 5-year NIH/NCID $4.2 M grant “Perinatal Nurse Home Visitation Enhanced with mHealth”, which tests using computer tablets for screening and intervening for IPV in the home. She is Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a 2013 inductee into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. In 2015, she was honored by the University Of Maryland School Of Nursing Alumni Associations as a Visionary Pioneer. The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research awarded her the President’s Award in recognition of her long-term commitment to leading interdisciplinary research teams. Dr. Sharps earned her BSN and doctorate from University of Maryland School of Nursing, and a master’s in maternal/child health) from University of Delaware School of Nursing. She completed a fellowship in adolescent health at the University of Maryland School Of Medicine.

Intimate partner or domestic violence impacts an estimated 1 in 10 to 1 in 25 of those pregnant. Think through the clients you care for…how likely is it that one of them is experiencing abuse or violence at home? Are you prepared to share resources with them? Are you connected in the ways you need to be to advocate and support them? Do you have consistent screening practices? Have you worked through your own discomfort about asking something so “personal”? Join as as we dive into our roles and responsibilities in supporting those who experience IPV.

In this episode we explore:

~statistics of IPV

~unwanted pregnancy and link to abuse/coercion

~demographics at higher risk for IPV

~impact of the pandemic on IPV rates, recognition, and response

~trauma-informed care and labor & birth considerations for those with a history of violence

~gathering healthcare institution and community resources

~navigating disclosures, checking biases, & cultivating a collaborative team

~ideas for support from community-based birthworkers

~supporting safety and holding space without focusing on “fixing” or removing

To read more of Dr Sharps’ work and research:
The Intersection of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality and Intimate Partner Violence in the United States

Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy: Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Homicide is a top cause of maternal death in the United States

Further resources for supporting those experiencing intimate partner violence:

~Fact sheet from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

~National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-SAFE

~Intimate Partner Violence Screening Resources from AHRQ

Trauma-Informed Care for Pelvic Exams:

Consent in Pelvic Care

EBB 180 – Trauma-Informed Care and Consent with Feminist Midwife, Stephanie Tillman

Check out this episode’s full transcript or tune in wherever you enjoy podcasts.

We’d love to hear from you; join our community group to discuss!