Hey, sorry to hear what ur going thru. I havent had my baby yet so havent got to the situation of contact and visitation etc. But I have spoken to my solicitor on several occasions to prepare for when that time comes.
If ur ex has been violent to u, and u are unsure about how he would be with baby, then def speak to the solicitor and get advice. U can request supervised visits for a period of time that they feel he is then reliable enough to have child on his own.
Ur maybe better going down it a legal way, that way there is no arguements etc, and also it means that u dont have to see him for a while. U leave the baby into the supervision centre, and then wait in another room or come back, so u dont have to face him head on (my sis went thru this, and it worked well for her until the social workers felt he was stable enough to have the wee man on his own) By that time she was mentally stronger to deal with him, and now they are extremely civil for the sake of their son
Sorry if this doesnt give u much info, but if theres anything else u want to u, by all means ask me and I can ask my sister for the way she did it.
Hope ur ok x