Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressors or traumatic events
such as abuse, loss of a parent, or food/housing insecurity experienced
prior to age eighteen. ACEs are common among pregnant patients and are
associated with serious morbidity during pregnancy and the postpartum
period including mental health issues, hypertensive disorders, preterm
birth, and breastfeeding difficulties. While this topic is gaining
attention, screening for ACEs in obstetrics is not widespread. Pregnancy
is an optimal time to implement screening as it is a time of increased
healthcare utilization.