Frequency and Risk Factors of Reproductive Coercion Among Pregnant Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Reproductive coercion (RC) is a form of intimate partner violence involving behaviors aimed at undermining an individual's reproductive choices and autonomy. Despite pregnancy representing an important sequela of RC, a time of potential unique risks, and an opportunity for increased health care engagement, limited data exist on the frequency and risk factors of RC among currently pregnant individuals. Thus, we sought to explore the correlates, frequency, and predictors of past RC in a cohort of pregnant people.

We fielded a cross-sectional survey between February 2022 and September 2023 to pregnant individuals ages 18-49 receiving prenatal care in two tertiary care academic medical centers in Boston, Massachusetts, United States (N = 1340).

A total of 76 respondents (7.3%) experienced RC within the past 3 years. The most common form of RC was a partner stopping an individual from using their desired contraceptive method (N = 33, 3.2%). Among other differences, people reporting past RC were more likely to have a disability (15.1% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.02), and to be in fair or poor health as opposed to good or excellent health (14.5% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.03), compared with those not reporting past RC. In a multivariable model adjusting for health status and disability, people reporting past RC had significantly higher odds of describing their current pregnancy as mistimed or unwanted (adjusted odds ratio, 4.30; 95% CI: 2.34, 8.57), compared with those not reporting past RC.

Past RC is prevalent among pregnant individuals in our sample. Disparities across demographic, medical, and social factors highlight opportunities for interventions to prevent recurrent RC post-pregnancy.