New Study Shows Pregnant Women Exposed To Violence Could Cause Preterm Birth & Low Birthweight

A new study published by scientists at the University of Leicester suggests that pregnant women who are exposed to violence are more likely to experience preterm birth and even low birthweight for the baby. Researchers based this study on the violence that is happening specifically in Fortaleza, Brazil and its effects on childbirth, as mothers are exposed to crime and hostility on a daily basis.

Science Daily said that this study is found in the Journal of Development Economics. The team is led by Professor Marco Manacorda of Queen Mary University of London and Dr. Martin Foureaux Koppensteiner of the University of Leicester. Scientists assigned to this project used mothers who have witnessed a homicide in the area and mothers who also live in the same place without having to see any crime of killing.

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The result came out and it showed that mothers, who were exposed to homicide while they were pregnant, delivered babies who are underweight. Stress due to witnessing such crime and violence is a huge factor that affects a pregnant woman and the baby inside her during the first three months of pregnancy.

Psychcentral.com also reported about this study saying that those months are crucial, as they greatly affect the outcome of the pregnancy. They cited Dr. Koppensteiner statement saying, "We provide evidence that these effects on birthweight are driven by prematurity rather than growth retardation of full lengths pregnancies, in line with evidence from the medical literature." Koppeinsteiner added that it was through documenting the exact time of the crime being exposed to those expecting mothers was the reason why his team was able to see the link between violence and unhealthy pregnancy and childbirth.

Share this information with your friends and loved ones, especially those who are pregnant and are often exposed to violence. This article could save their lives and their baby on the way.