Midwives' perspectives on caring for women experiencing perinatal intimate partner violence

Abstract

Perinatal intimate partner violence (P-IPV), defined as intimate partner violence which occurs in the perinatal period (Alhusen et al., 2026) is a major concern to public health due to its detrimental effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Although maternity guidelines recommend that midwives are adequately prepared to provide P-IPV care, evidence suggests that such care is not consistently delivered in practice. Furthermore, the available literature appears fragmented and, in some cases, outdated, thereby highlighting the need for a critical literature review of midwives’ perspectives on this issue. Consequently, this review aimed to answer the question: ‘How do midwives perceive and experience caring for women who are affected by intimate partner violence during the perinatal period?’ A literature review was conducted across six databases, yielding 1297 articles, of which 14 met the eligibility criteria following screening. Critical appraisal and data extraction were undertaken to ensure the quality and robustness of the included studies. Thematic analysis was employed to facilitate the interpretation of the findings. Two principal themes emerged: ‘Midwives’ perceived role in P-IPV care and support’ and ‘Midwives’ needs for improvement in P-IPV care.’ The findings highlight both the responsibilities and challenges experienced by midwives in providing P-IPV care, as well as areas requiring substantial improvement to enhance care quality. This review recommends strengthening P-IPV education, alongside initiatives to support workforce development and multidisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, optimisation of work environments and resources allocation is advocated. Future research should focus on investigating the prevalence of P-IPV, evaluating the implementation of care pathways, and exploring women’s perspectives on P-IPV care.