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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 4

Category: Health Equity/Community Health

Poster Session 4

(1134) Dobbs and the Double Burden: Pregnancy Amid Intimate Partner Violence in an Abortion Restrictive State

Thursday, February 12, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM  
Objective:
To assess whether maternal and neonatal outcomes changed following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision among obstetric patients referred for intimate partner violence (IPV) consultation.

Study Design:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients on an obstetric inpatient unit who were referred to the “AWARE” program, an intimate partner violence assistance program at a tertiary academic center in an abortion-restrictive state. Patients were grouped as Pre-Dobbs (June 2020–June 2022) or Post-Dobbs (Nov. 2022–Sept. 2024). Demographics, injury characteristics, and outcomes were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Primary outcomes included preterm birth and a composite of perinatal complications. Secondary outcomes included NICU admission and child discharge to biological parents. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for relevant covariates were selected via backwards elimination.


Results:
Of 234 AWARE consults, 130 occurred pre- and 104 post-Dobbs. A greater proportion of deliveries received AWARE consults pre-Dobbs (2% vs 1.5%, p = 0.009). Most patients were Black (72%) and publicly insured (79%), with high rates of substance use and mental health conditions. Injury patterns were similar across eras. Head trauma was most common (89% vs 84%). Multiple injury sites were frequent (23%) and blunt trauma was the most common mechanism. While no statistically significant differences in outcomes were observed, adverse events remained common: preterm birth (29% vs 21%), composite complications (56% vs 50%), and NICU admission (30% vs 27%). Notably, most infants were discharged to biological parents (76% vs 86%).

Conclusion:
Although we hypothesized that abortion restriction may exacerbate the effects of IPV experienced by pregnant individuals, we did not observe significant differences in perinatal outcomes between eras. However, persistently high rates of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in both cohorts reflects the vulnerability of this population and the care gaps that have existed in our state even prior to the Dobbs decision.