Abuse and Pregnancy: Exploring Factors That May Contribute to Birthweight Disparities

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Infants born prematurely and those who are categorized as low birthweight (LBW) and/or small for gestational age (SGA) face complications which can be detrimental to health. The literature shows differing effects of abuse on birthweight, so this study centered on a subsample of women who gave birth to LBW, SGA, or LBW/SGA infants from a larger study of low-income, abused pregnant women (DOVE). This secondary qualitative descriptive study analyzed the qualitative interviews of women who delivered LBW, SGA, or LBW/SGA infants to identify trends in their lives which may have contributed to birthweight disparities. The women's lives were described in terms of their families of origin, characteristics of the abuser, and the chaotic lives in which they attempted to navigate safety for themselves and their unborn children.