Objective: To investigate the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy and postnatal depression, and to explore the relationship between domestic violence and postnatal depression among Chinese women.Methods: In a cross-sectional survey.846 pregnant women were screened with the Abuse Assessment Screen:215 women completed the postnatal follow-up.All participants underwent psychosocial assessment, with the Edinburgh Postpartun Depression Scale being used for the evaluation of postnatal depression.Results: The overall prevalence of domestic violence during pregancy was 113%, and the most common form of domestic violence was psychologic abuse.The follow-up interviews showed a higher prevalence of postnatal depression among women who had been abused during pregnancy (25.1%) than among those who had not (6.0%).Psychologic abuse during pregnancy, an unexpected pregnancy, an attitude of acceptance toward violence, and concern over the newborns health were related with postnatal depressior.Conclussion: Domestic violence during pregnancy and related factors contributed to postnatal depression in a population of Chinese women.The findings emphasize the importance of intervention among vulnerable populations in low-income countries.