Obstetric Violence and Mistreatment and Violence Against Women in Reproductive Health Services

What is obstetric violence?
Obstetric violence refers to the mistreatment of women during childbirth, which can manifest in various forms. It includes physical violence, loss of autonomy; being subjected to any clinical intervention without appropriate informed consent; being shouted at, scolded, humiliated, or threatened; and being ignored, refused, or receiving no response to requests for help (4). It may also include non-evidence-based practices, such as routine episiotomy and lack of access to physiological birth (1). Disrespect, mistreatment and obstetric violence has an impact on women, and has been associated with birth trauma, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, negative implications on sexuality, exacerbated risks of complications during childbirth, and distrust in the health system resulting in unwillingness to seek medical care (1). Link to full story here.