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The perinatal period may include domestic violence (DV). In this study, the perinatal period extends from the start of pregnancy to the end of the child’s second year of life. DV places the safety of both mother and child at risk and undermines the mother–child attachment bond. In this article, we look at the challenges for motherhood in a context of domestic violence during the perinatal period (DVPP). In semi-directed interviews, 17 mothers shared their stories of DVPP. Interview questions focused on the trajectory of DVPP, perceptions and occupation of motherhood within two years of childbirth and the associated challenges. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and discussed in a feminist conceptual framework and a parental theoretical model. DVPP negatively influences the experience and practice of motherhood, in addition to increasing parental responsibility to protect the child. Three main themes were noted: 1) A parental experience impoverished by the context of DVPP, caused by an increase in tasks, a weakened bond with the child and a loss of self-confidence; 2) Parenting responsibility in a context of DVPP is expressed as greater vigilance and the need to protect the child from violence; and 3) Parenting practices: the children as targets and victims of violence, resulting in additional child needs that mothers must meet. The results underscore the need for early detection of DVPP and a trauma-informed approach in health services. Specialized support services should be provided to help mothers cope with violence.

Domestic violence during the perinatal period (DVPP) refers to the various ways that women’s partners or ex-partners control and coerce them during pregnancy and the 2 years postpartum. From the descriptions of 17 women with firsthand experience of DVPP, this article reports on its manifestations and the associated contexts. The results reveal escalating violence, diverse forms of violence, and exacerbated consequences over the perinatal period. The contexts that pose additional challenges for the women include financial precariousness and the partner’s substance abuse, and to a lesser extent the residential situation.

Based on the article by Swartz and Lappeman, we propose in this commentary to reflect on three central components linked to the concept of obstetric violence: the withdrawal of intentionality as a founding element of its recognition, the preponderant place given to the perspective of women and those affected by it, as well as the recognition of its sexist, gendered, and systemic character. We also discuss the epistemic injustice associated with obstetric violence. We stress the importance of including both health workers and health systems in the equation, even though they may be offended by the use of the term. We conclude by recalling that significant leadership must be exercised by health care workers and institutions to put an end to this form of violence.

Reproductive coercion (RC) refers to behaviors that interfere with contraception use or pregnancy and that limit reproductive autonomy. This article presents the results of a qualitative exploratory study of 21 young women in Canada who experienced RC perpetrated by an intimate partner along with the associated consequences. Results reveal that nonconsensual condom removal occurred more often in uncommitted relationships without violence, whereas pressure to become pregnant and pregnancy coercion occurred more often in committed relationships where other forms of violence were also present. Participants reported numerous repercussions on their psychological, sexual, and reproductive health and on their emotional and relational well-being.

The transition to parenthood is a momentous time that has numerous repercussions for new parents, as a couple and as individuals. This qualitative exploratory study examines new parents’ experiences and perceptions of the challenges in assuming the parenting role and maintaining relational well-being. Twenty-three new parent heterosexual or same-sex couples, belonging to various ethnocultural groups, with a child aged from 6 to 18 months, and residing in the Greater Montreal Area (Quebec, Canada) underwent semi-directed dyadic interviews followed by individual interviews. Topics addressed concerned their trajectories before, during, and after the child’s birth. Thematic analysis revealed three central challenges during the transition to parenthood: (1) loss of individuality and couplehood, given the primary identity as parent; (2) parental equality in terms of childcare and the associated tasks: a significant source of irritation; and (3) managing expectations: the influence of social norms and judgments on parental self-development. Gender, the fact of having borne the child or not, and identification as a homoparental family influenced the experience of the transition to parenthood. These challenges were amplified by factors that impeded their adjustment to the new parenting role: fatigue and lack of sleep; social isolation and feelings of solitude; and the work–school–family balancing act. Recommendations aimed at the sharing of tasks, the distribution of parental leave and the gendered nature of maternity are proposed to make new and future parents aware of these game-changing transformations during the transition to parenthood.

Cette recherche qualitative explore les points de vue de mères, de pères et d’adolescents (n = 43) quant aux services reçus pour les problèmes cooccurrents de violence conjugale, de santé mentale et de consommation chez les parents. Les données ont été recueillies par des entrevues semi-dirigées, soutenues d’un outil de cartographie des services utilisés. L’analyse de contenu thématique montre que les participants déploient plusieurs stratégies pour faire face aux problèmes cooccurrents vécus et utilisent diverses ressources d’aide formelle et informelle. Plusieurs recommandations sont proposées pour améliorer l’offre d’aide aux familles en situation de cooccurrence, dont la concertation entre les différentes ressources concernées.

This qualitative study examines the perceptions of mothers, fathers, and adolescents on the relations they see between intimate partner violence, mental health and substances use parental problems that co-occur in their family, and the mothers’ and fathers’ associated parenting challenges. The sample was composed of 43 people (15 mothers, 16 fathers, and 12 adolescents) who were directly affected by the co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and mental health or substances use parental problems. The participants were recruited with the collaboration of public and community organizations in the Province of Québec (Canada). The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and combined with a table detailing the specific problems identified by the participants. A thematic content analysis method was employed to do the coding, and a summary of the results was returned to some participants who agreed to collaborate with the validation of the results. The analysis revealed numerous and diverse relations between the interviewees’ co-occurring problems, but two principal patterns emerged. The first one was chiefly observed in the comments made by mothers and adolescents who saw the co-occurring problems as being the consequence of the intimate partner violence on the mother. The second pattern was largely observed in the fathers’ comments, who explained that the substance use problems came before the intimate partner violence and acted as an aggravating factor. The co-occurrence of intimate partner violence with other parental problems strongly affected the mothers’ and fathers’ parenting, making it more difficult to meet the children’s needs. Considering the complexity and diversity of the experiences and needs of the mothers, fathers, and children in co-occurring situations, future studies should evaluate the services provided to these families and the coordination between the different concerned organizations.

The transition to parenthood (TtoP) is a major life event that brings about significant changes in the sexuality of individuals and couples. This qualitative study documents, from the perspective o...

Reproductive coercion (RC) is a form of violence perpetuated against women. It occurs when male partners adopt behaviors meant to control a woman’s birth control or pregnancy despite her wishes. This amounts to interference with a woman’s autonomy in reproductive decisions. The three main forms of RC are birth control sabotage (including nonconsensual condom removal), pregnancy coercion, and controlling the outcome of a pregnancy. This qualitative exploratory study examines issues in the acknowledgment of RC. Participants were 21 young women in Québec (Canada), who had experienced this form of violence. Results of individual semi-directed interviews reveal that RC can be difficult to acknowledge. A thematic analysis demonstrates that awareness is modulated by the manifestations of RC and by the emotional bond with the perpetrator. Acknowledgment of RC behavior varies according to the form that is experienced: Nonconsensual condom removal is the most readily identified, whereas acknowledgment of pregnancy pressure and pregnancy coercion takes longer, requiring repeated incidents before it is identified as a form of violence. In addition, acknowledgment is facilitated when relationships are casual and uncommitted compared with romantic and committed. Moreover, reading about the issue, confiding in a friend or acquaintance, and finding a new partner who respects one’s reproductive rights facilitate RC acknowledgment. In contrast, not self-identifying as a victim, assuming responsibility for the incident, having a limited understanding of sexual violence, and experiencing other forms of violence with an intimate partner contribute to impede RC acknowledgment. Results are discussed in terms of practical implications for young adults and health care professionals.

Giving birth at a young age and being a victim of intimate partner violence are adversities that affect the life course of women. However, some young mothers overcome these adversities and cope well, showing a dynamic resilience pathway. In this qualitative exploratory study, we examined a purposive sample of 10 resilient mothers who gave birth as adolescents in a situation of intimate partner violence. Their stories were gathered from individual in-depth interviews and on-site participatory observations. Data were collected and analyzed simultaneously, according to grounded theory. Inspired by Masten and Monn’s integrated framework of resilience, the resilience pathway of the participating mothers began with the occurrence of the adversities addressed in this study, namely, early pregnancy combined with intimate partner violence. To overcome these adversities, the participants deployed several protective processes: (a) establishing their maternal identity and the creation of a bond with the child as a turning point, (b) taking an active stance to respond to victimization, and (c) acting proactively and adjusting to motherhood. Promotive processes, positive adaptation indicators, and risks to positive adaptation complete the proposed resilience pathway. The results lead to the conclusion that increased recognition of the challenges that these young mothers face and greater emphasis on the importance of their social surroundings to support these protective processes would support them in their transition to motherhood and promote their well-being and that of their children.