My baby’s due in four weeks and my boyfriend insists on regular sex and at times is quite forceful. He’s been a bit abusive lately, is it normal?

It is not normal for someone to be abusive to another person or to force them to have sexual intercourse when they don’t want to. You should never be forced to do something that is against your will. For almost 30% of all domestic abuse cases it is during pregnancy that the first incidence occurs ¹.

It is very important that you talk to someone about how your boyfriend is treating you, talk to either a close friend or relative. There are also organisations that are confidential and can help you if you really feel there is no one you can talk to or trust.

• www.careconfidential.com also has a free phone number 0800 028 2228.
• Free phone line for the National Domestic Abuse Help line 0800 2000 247.

You could also talk to your Midwife who will treat everything you say in the strictest confidence, and will have details of local contacts that can help and advise you.

¹ NICE (2004). The confidential enquiries into maternal deaths in the United Kingdom. Why mothers die 2000-2002. RCOG Press, London.