Rapid Assessment to Identify and Quantify the Risk of Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy Ann L. Bianchi, MSN, RN, Judith McFarlane, DrPH, FAAN, Angeles Nava, PhD, Heidi Gilroy, MS, John Maddoux, MA, and Sandra Cesario, PhD, RN, FAAN ABSTRACT: Background: Abuse during pregnancy is common and affects upwards of one in six pregnant women worldwide. The objective of this study is to describe the demographics, frequency, and severity of abuse, and the risk of murder for women who report abuse during pregnancy compared with women who do not report abuse. Methods: A total of 300 women seeking assistance for partner abuse were recruited to participate in a 7-year prospective study. Of the 300 women, 50 reported they had been pregnant within the last 4 months; 25 of the women (50%) reported they were “beaten” during the pregnancy; and 25 women (50%) reported they had not been “beaten.” Analysis was completed on differential severity for abuse and risk for murder between the two groups. Results: Women reporting abuse during pregnancy had statistically significant (p < 0.001) higher scores for Threat of abuse, F(1, 49) = 14.37, p < 0.001; Physical abuse, F(1, 49) = 21.21, p < 0.001; and Danger for murder weighted F(1, 49) = 22.99, p < 0.001. All effects sizes were large. Conclusion: Women abused during pregnancy are at greater risk for further abuse and in severe danger for murder. To ensure the safety of pregnant women, screening policies are essential. (BIRTH 41:1 March 2014) Key words: abuse during pregnancy, intimate partner violence, risk for murder, screening for intimate partner violence Childbirth is a normal physiological process and one of the most powerful events in a woman’s life. Unfortu- nately, intimate partner violence (IPV) can occur at any time during a relationship—even during pregnancy— and can negatively affect the prenatal period, birth expe- rience, and mothers bonding with their infants. In 2007, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported intimate partners committed 14 percent of all murders in the United States, which equates to 2,340 deaths with approxi- mately 1,640 homicides of women because of partner violence alone (1). It is estimated that 324,000 pregnant women experience partner violence each year (2–4). Some studies suggest that violence during pregnancy may be more severe and more frequent, which poses a health risk to the mother and to her fetus (5,6). Pregnant women typically have between 12 and 13 prenatal visits, with 96 percent of women receiving prenatal care (2). It is not uncommon for abused women to have a late entry into prenatal care (7), which may compound the health risk to both mother and fetus. Janssen et al found that Ann L. Bianchi is a Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA. Judith McFarlane is a Professor and the Parry Chair in Health Pro- motion & Disease Prevention, College of Nursing, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, TX, USA. Angeles Nava is a Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, TX, USA. Heidi Gilroy is a Grant Project Manager, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, TX, USA. John Maddoux is a Statistical Analyst, Texas Women’s University, Denton, TX, USA. Sandra Cesario is the PhD Program Coordinator and Professor, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, TX, USA. Address correspondence to Ann L. Bianchi, MSN, RN, College of Nursing, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, 340 Nursing Building, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA. Accepted November 10, 2013 © 2014, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2014, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 88 BIRTH 41:1 March 2014