For healthier mothers and babies in California, start with safety: Strategies to address and prevent intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and maternal morbidity and mortality are public health crises in California that intersect to disproportionately affect people of color. Experiences of IPV can increase the risk of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality; in fact, IPV during pregnancy or immediately postpartum is a leading cause of maternal mortality. IPV during pregnancy is also linked to higher rates of depression; fewer prenatal care visits; and increased likelihood of stillbirth, preterm delivery, and fetal injury. California policymakers and programs have implemented many recent initiatives to address maternal mortality, decrease disparities, and improve birth outcomes in the state. However, integrating IPV prevention and intervention services into these initiatives is essential to fully address the root causes of high maternal mortality rates.

This policy brief highlights evidence-informed strategies and opportunities to integrate IPV services into maternal health care and capitalize on the opportunities presented by recent maternal health initiatives. This brief presents recommendations for preventing and addressing IPV (1) during pregnancy, (2) through postpartum care, and (3) through perinatal care delivered by doulas. The Department of Health Care Services, managed care plans, California Department of Public Health, California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, health care providers, local health jurisdictions, care coordinators, hospitals, and policymakers should pursue the recommendations listed in Table 1 through the strategies summarized in the brief.