A concept analysis of obstetric violence in the United States of America

Abstract

The aim is to clarify the concept of “obstetric violence in the United States of America.” Obstetric violence (OV) is a poorly defined and rarely applied concept in the United States that causes significant harm and requires recognition. The design is a concept analysis to examine the structure and function of OV in the United States. An English language literature review with no date restrictions was performed using CINAHL, PubMed, and Google search. The search was expanded to the related terms “birth rape” and “birth trauma.” The concept analysis was conducted using the method outlined by Walker and Avant. The synthesized definition proposed is: Obstetric violence is abuse or mistreatment by a health care provider of a female who is engaged in fertility treatment, preconception care, pregnant, birthing, or postpartum; or the performance of any invasive or surgical procedure during the full span of the childbearing continuum without informed consent, that is coerced, or in violation of refusal. It is a sex‐specific form of violence against women (VAW) that is a violation of human rights. A clear definition and understanding of OV in the United States will allow for its recognition. A conceptual basis for naming it can lead to better knowing its prevalence, further studies, and operationalizing the term to create pathways for accountability and restitution. Nurses are in a unique position to minimize OV risk and to promote individual and unit‐based responses for zero‐tolerance.

Violência Obstétrica Na Paraíba (Brasil): Relatos E Experiências De Mães

“…Para além da universalização do cuidado à saúde, é necessário avançar na qualidade e na segurança da assistência, uma vez que o cuidado desrespeitoso ou abusivo pode ter efeitos negativos na saúde. Há uma oportunidade e um dever para os profissionais de enfermagem aplicarem o princípio de compaixão, cuidado e direitos dos pacientes à proteção de todas as grávidas e parturientes (LANSKY et al, 2019;GARCIA, 2020;MENA-TUDELA et al, 2020).…”

“…Essa é uma importante questão de saúde que afeta diretamente as mulheres e seus recém-nascidos. A VO é considerada como violência de gênero, por se dirigir especificamente a mulheres e permear relações de poder desiguais na nossa sociedade (LANSKY et al, 2019;GARCIA, 2020).…”

Theory analysis of social justice in nursing: Applications to obstetric violence research

“…Obstetric violence includes the performance of any invasive or surgical procedure during the full span of the childbearing continuum without informed consent, that is coerced, or in violation of refusal. 18 Cesarean births that lack informed consent, are coerced, or are forced are part of the concern with overuse of the surgery. Attorneys who represent women seeking redress for harm from these types of cases argue that these instances of cesarean birth constitute obstetric violence.…”

“…Women along the childbearing continuum have been reported to experience psychological trauma, mistreatment and abuse, unnecessary invasive procedures and surgical births, impaired newborn bonding, and avoidable morbidity and mortality. 4–18 Recent work from nursing science has provided a definition of obstetric violence from a concept analysis that is used for this discussion:Obstetric violence is abuse or mistreatment by a healthcare provider of a female who is engaged in fertility treatment, preconception care, pregnant, birthing, or postpartum; or the performance of any invasive or surgical procedure during the full span of the childbearing time without informed consent, that is coerced, or in violation of refusal. It is a sex-specific form of violence against women that is a violation of human rights.…”

“…It is a sex-specific form of violence against women that is a violation of human rights. (p. 661) 18…”