ABSTRACT
Fetal abuse is an umbrella term that has been used to describe a wide variety of behaviors. What the actions have in common is that they cause harm, usually accidental harm, to a fetus. Mothers can be guilty of fetal abuse by ingesting chemicals, such as drugs or alcohol that harm their fetus or by the much less common means of direct physical assault (see Case Example 8.1 ). People other than the mother can also be guilty of fetal abuse via physical assault. For example, a man who beats his pregnant partner, especially around the abdomen, can be guilty of fetal abuse.
