The short explanation
What is happening to you is domestic violence, and it is never your fault. Violence in pregnancy puts both you and the baby at risk, and you deserve protection and care. You can get help now, confidentially. If you are in danger, call 112. The women's helpline 181 can talk with you about safe places to stay, counselling, legal protection and support. Your antenatal doctor or nurse can treat injuries, check the baby, and connect you with help. One Stop Centres in many districts offer medical, legal and shelter support for women facing violence.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- After any blow to the belly, a fall, bleeding, fluid leaking, pain or reduced baby movements, you should be checked the same day.
- Making a safety plan helps: keep your antenatal card, ID, some money and a phone where you can reach them, and know where you could go.
- Living with violence causes fear, poor sleep and low mood. These are worth telling your doctor about too.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot judge how much danger you are in. A helpline worker, doctor or counsellor who hears your situation can help you plan for safety.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Can you check me and the baby after what happened?
- Can you record my injuries?
- Who can help me find a safe place to stay?
- Can I talk to a counsellor confidentially?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 if you are in danger, have been hit on the belly, have bleeding or pain, or your baby is moving less. You can call the women's helpline 181 at any time.
Get help the same day
- Go to your antenatal clinic or a hospital the same day after any physical violence, even if you feel fine.
Book an appointment soon
- Speak to the women's helpline 181 or a counsellor within a few days about support and safety planning.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Domestic violence MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Violence against women — fact sheet World Health Organization
- Mental health MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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