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Violence During Pregnancy

 

Goals/Objectives:

Class will identify outcomes of domestic violence on the unborn child and pregnant woman.

Nurse/teacher/group leader will provide group with a list of community referral agencies to give to the abuse victim

Instructor will apply use of abuse assessment tool, for individuals, follow-ups when needed.

Instructional Procedure

Focusing Event/Icebreaker

Open with a short film or video (Crimes Against the Future - a 19 minute video available from the March of Dimes is recommended) about family violence/physical abuse to help focus on the topic and to facilitate discussion on this difficult topic OR See suggestions in Ice Breaker page.

Teaching Procedure

Assess level of awareness concerning violence during pregnancy.

What to they know about it? Do they know how often it happens?

Facilitate discussion and participation.

Encourage sharing of opinions and experiences or questions and concerns.

Note: Never ask a woman about her individual abuse in a group setting or with children or family members present. They may report back to the abuser. It is not safe and puts the abused woman in great danger.

Lesson Content
  1. Statistics
    1. Violence toward a pregnant woman occurs every 15 second in the U.S.
    2. 1 in 6 pregnant women are affected
  2. Violence
    1. Not acceptable
    2. Illegal
    3. It is not okay to be beaten, no matter what the circumstance.
    4. Physical abuse hurts the baby and the mother's health.
  3. Effects on unborn child
    1. Blow to stomach area
      1. can cause baby and it's protective sac to separate from the wall of the uterus, which holds the baby in place until it is ready to be born.
      2. can cause mother and baby to bleed
      3. Being pushed, hit or other trauma
      4. Blood flow decreases to the baby and stays in the mother. This is bad because the baby needs the blood flow in order to live.
      5. Because no blood is getting to the baby, no oxygen is getting to the baby and the baby can die
      6. Any abuse increases harm and can cause death in the baby.
      7. Women in fear of being hit cannot give attention to themselves. Good nutrition and rest are important for a healthy pregnancy.
      8. Abuse (physical) can cause pre-term labor and/or bleeding. Baby may be born too soon and be of low birth weight.
  4. How to get help or help your friends
    1. Questions to ask friends:
      1. Are you sometime afraid of your husband/boyfriend?
      2. Are you afraid he will hurt you?
      3. Has he ever hurt you?
      4. Have you every been hit, slapped or kicked by him?
      5. Have you ever been forced to have sex?
  5. What to do:
    1. Help plan an escape and be ready (i.e., suitcase with clothes, transportation arranged, foot, money, shelter, professional contact) Safety is the most important intervention.
    2. Help ensure safety of mother and her children by offering the name and phone number of a local community resource.
    3. Provide a strong support system with your family, friends and outside resources. Do not keep the abuse a secret . . . tell a nurse, family member, or trusted friend. Keeping the abuse a secret only protects the abuser!
  6. Local Resources

    Bright Tomorrows
    P.O. Box 532151
    Grand Prairie, Texas 75053
    24 Hour Hotline: (214) 262-8383

    Collin County Women's Shelter
    2701 W. 15th Street
    Plano, Texas 75075
    Phone: (972) 422-2911

    Family Place
    P.O. Box 7999
    Dallas, Texas 75209
    Hotline: (214) 941-1991
    Bilingual

    Youth and Family Crimes Division - Dallas
    106 S. Harwood
    Room 225
    Dallas, Texas 75201
    Phone: (214) 670-4426

    New Beginning Center
    218 N. 10th Street
    Garland, Texas 75040
    24 Hour Hotline: (214) 276-0057

    Metrocrest Service Center
    1002 S. Broadway
    Carrollton, Texas 75006
    24 Hour Hotline: (972) 941-1991

    Genesis Women's Shelter
    Phone: (214) 942-2998

    Battered Women Emergency Intervention, Parkland
    Phone: (214) 590-8000

    National Domestic Violence Hotline
    1-800-799-SAFE
    1-800-799-7233
    24 Hours-a-day

FORMATIVE CHECK/PARTICIPATION

Question and answer session

Be sensitive!! This is sometimes a tough topic to talk about, especially in a group.

Note: Never ask a woman about her individual abuse in a group setting or with children or family members present. They may report back to the abuser. It is not safe and puts the abused woman in great danger.

Have class identify abusive behavior

Help the class come up with an "escape plan."

CRITICAL POINTS

It is not okay to be beaten or abused.

Have a plan of escape ready at all times, especially when you know of someone who needs your help.

Remember to get support from someone you trust that you know will not hurt you.

CLOSURE

Make sure everyone has a copy of the community resources list.

Go over the resources list together with the class

Be prepared to make individual follow ups immediately.

 

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