Obstetric violence is a phenomenon that has been present in medical practice for a long time, but has received increasing attention and interest in recent years. It is defined as any action or omission carried out by health personnel during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum or any stage of the reproductive process, which violates the rights of women, causes physical or emotional harm, discriminates or impairs their decision-making capacity. /p>
Characteristics of obstetric violence
Obstetric violence can manifest itself in various ways, some of the most common characteristics include:
Lack of informed consent
One of the main characteristics of obstetric violence is the lack of respect for women's fundamental right to give or deny informed consent to medical procedures during pregnancy and childbirth. . This manifests itself when interventions are carried out without the woman's consent, or when the information provided is not clear or understandable.
Dehumanized treatment
Obstetric violence is also manifested through dehumanized treatment by health personnel towards pregnant or laboring women. This may include teasing, yelling, lack of empathy, or any action that creates an environment of intimidation or contempt.
Lack of privacy and confidentiality
Another common characteristic of obstetric violence is the lack of respect for women's privacy and confidentiality during the medical care process. This can manifest itself in the presence of unnecessary people in the delivery room, the disclosure of personal information without authorization, or the lack of sufficient space and comfort for the woman.
Unnecessary or non-evidence-based medical practices
Performing unnecessary medical procedures or those that are not supported by scientific evidence also constitutes a form of obstetric violence. These practices may include the excessive use of episiotomy, the routine administration of synthetic oxytocin, or the performance of unjustified cesarean sections.
Examples of obstetric violence
Below are some concrete examples of obstetric violence that can occur in the setting of maternal health care:
Lack of information and consent
A pregnant woman arrives in the delivery room and an episiotomy is performed without his prior consent, and without explaining the risks and benefits of the intervention. This lack of information and informed consent constitutes an act of obstetric violence.
Dehumanized treatment
A woman in labor is treated in a rude and contemptuous manner by health personnel, She is yelled at and made to feel embarrassed during the birth process. This type of behavior constitutes a form of obstetric violence due to the dehumanized treatment of women.
Lack of respect for privacy
A woman is in labor and there are several people in the delivery room that are not related to your medical care. The lack of respect for her intimacy and privacy, by not allowing her an intimate space during childbirth, constitutes an act of obstetric violence.
Performance of unnecessary procedures
A pregnant woman is subjected to a cesarean section without justified medical indication, despite the fact that her health status and that of the fetus do not present complications that require this intervention. Performing an unnecessary cesarean section represents a form of obstetric violence due to the imposition of a medical procedure without clinical justification.
Stigmatization and discrimination
A woman of minority ethnic origin is treated in an discriminatory in the hospital during her birth, she is made derogatory comments about her ethnicity and is treated differently from the rest of the women. This form of discriminatory treatment constitutes obstetric violence based on ethnic prejudice.
Impact of obstetric violence
Obstetric violence can have a devastating impact on women's physical and emotional health. , as well as in their perception of the health system and their ability to make informed decisions about their health care. Some of the consequences of obstetric abuse include:
Physical harm
Performing unnecessary or poorly performed procedures during childbirth can cause physical harm to women, such as tears, infections, hemorrhages , among others. These complications can have short and long-term consequences on women's health and quality of life.
Emotional impact
Dehumanized treatment, lack of emotional support and Violation of privacy during childbirth can generate emotional trauma in women, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, among others. These emotional consequences can negatively affect the mental health and psychological well-being of women.
Distrust in the health system
The experience of obstetric violence can lead women to distrust the health system. health system and medical professionals, making it difficult for them to access appropriate medical care in the future. Lack of trust in the health system can have negative consequences in the search for timely and quality medical care.
Impairment of autonomy and decision-making capacity
Attentive obstetric violence against women's autonomy and decision-making capacity over their own body and reproductive process, which can have lasting effects on their empowerment and self-esteem. The loss of autonomy at the time of childbirth can generate feelings of helplessness and lack of control over one's own body.
Prevention and actions to combat obstetric violence
To prevent and combat obstetric violence obstetric violence, it is essential to adopt measures at the individual, institutional and social levels that promote respect for women's rights during pregnancy and childbirth. Some actions that can contribute to preventing obstetric violence include:
Training and awareness of health personnel
It is essential to provide training and awareness to health personnel about women's reproductive rights. , the importance of informed consent, cultural and ethnic diversity, and the need for respectful and empathetic treatment of women during childbirth. Training health personnel in evidence-based approaches and respect for women's autonomy can contribute to preventing obstetric violence.
Implementation of humanized care protocols
The Health institutions must establish care protocols that promote a humanized and respectful approach towards women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. It is important to ensure that women's privacy, confidentiality, and autonomy are respected at all times, and that unnecessary or non-evidence-based medical practices are avoided.
Promoting the active participation of women in their medical care
It is essential to empower women and encourage their active participation in decisions related to their reproductive health. Health care environments should be promoted in which women feel heard, respected and supported in their decisions, allowing them to express their preferences and needs during the obstetric care process.
Promoting reporting and accountability Accountability
It is necessary to encourage the reporting of cases of obstetric violence and ensure that there are effective mechanisms for accountability in cases where some type of abuse has been committed. Health institutions must establish safe and confidential reporting channels, and promote a culture of transparency and responsibility in obstetric care.
In conclusion, obstetric violence is a phenomenon that violates the human rights of women during pregnancy and childbirth, and which can have serious repercussions on your physical and emotional health. It is essential to adopt preventive measures and actions to combat obstetric violence, promoting a respectful, empathetic and focused approach to women's rights in obstetric care.