• ‘Are you afraid of someone you live with?'
• Are you in a relationship where someone treats you badly?
• In the year before you knew you were pregnant, have you been hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt?'
• Careful documentation
• See woman alone at least once
• Escort woman to toilet to get a few minutes alone with her
• See at GPs / SHH and have arrangement to secure some time alone with her e.g. send partner to reception to fetch blood bottle
• Ask about injuries ‘I notice you have a number of bruises, can you tell me what happened?'
• ‘Your partner seems very concerned and anxious. Was he responsible for your injuries'
• Information about local support networks
• Awareness of roles of all agencies
• Regard as ‘high-risk'
• Advice hospital birth

For further information please contact Eileen Mahoney, Stockport Specialist Midwife for Vulnerable Groups by email on Eileen.Maloney@stockport-tr.nwest.nhs.uk