The analysis is based on data from the Second National Family Violence Survey, in which telephone interviews were conducted with persons in 6,002 nationally representative households. Violence was nominally defined as "an act carried out with the intention or perceived intention of causing physical pain or injury to another person." Violence and abuse were measured with the Conflict Tactics Scales. Pregnant women were found to experience minor, severe, and overall violence at higher rates than other women; however, when age was controlled, this relationship was found to be spurious. The findings indicate that women under 25 years of age are both more likely to be pregnant and to be hit and abused by husbands and partners. Although pregnant women are not a specially vulnerable group, pregnancy also does not insulate them from the high rates of violence experienced by young women. Intervention and prevention strategies still must be developed to protect pregnant women and their unborn children. 2 tables, 8 notes, 33 references. (Author abstract modified)