The use of violence against pregnant women is more common than the occurrence of pregnancy complications.
Violence during pregnancy is associated with great risk to both mother and foetus, so asking about it during routine check-ups should be as obvious a matter as checking blood pressure, asking about diabetes, drinking alcohol or smoking.

Clinics in the north of England surveyed 475 pregnant women and found that 17% had been victims of violence, including 3.4% during their last pregnancy.
Fist bumping and patting are the most common forms of violence, with women's partners being the most common perpetrators. One respondent admitted that the perpetrator of violence was her mother.