Murder Is One of Top Causes of Death for Pregnant Women

The No. 1 risk of death for pregnant women is the normal medical complication of childbearing, followed by traffic accidents and then homicide.

Police often look at spouses as possible suspects right away, and many of these murders are sudden outbursts of violence.

Stacy Phillips, a criminal defense attorney specializing in domestic violence, said the pressure of new responsibilities, like a new child, can and does erupt into uncontrollable emotions.

"When there's a relationship and a tension between two people, when money's at stake, bad things happen," Phillips said.