Obstetric Violence

Shroud waving self-determination: A qualitative analysis of the moral and epistemic dimensions of obstetric violence in the Netherlands

“…Most effective was the #Breakthesilence (#GenoegGezwegen) campaign by the activist group the Birth Movement (Geboortebeweging), wherein people shared their experiences with obstetric violence [12]. Since a couple of years, this action has been coupled by the action #TakeResponsibility (#HandInEigenBoezem), wherein health care workers confess their culpability or complicity in obstetric violence [3].…”

“…After the first #Breakthesilence campaign in 2016, the Birth Movement created a 'black book' with all the stories that were shared, asking for more attention to the bodily integrity of pregnant women and their right to informed consent [3]. The report was submitted to the Ministry of Health in 2017 [3]. In their formal reaction they state that they do not believe it to be a large-scale problem, on the basis of their advisory professionals [3].…”

“…The report was submitted to the Ministry of Health in 2017 [3]. In their formal reaction they state that they do not believe it to be a large-scale problem, on the basis of their advisory professionals [3]. But ever since recent numbers came out in 2022 and 2023, indicating that obstetric violence is very much a largescale problem-54% of parents experienced disrespect and abuse, almost half of the people did not consent to the episiotomy and medication that they got, and the refusal of interventions by patients was overruled in 20-60% of cases [5,6]-this ministerial statement has not been updated, and neither has there been much public outrage which would compel the ministry to do so.…”

“…Research on people's traumatic birth experiences did acknowledge that some forms of communication caused traumatic birth, rather than the unfolding of the event of birth itself. Factors such as a lack of informed consent, lack of communication and unilateral decision making were reported [1][2][3]. These were not connected explicitly connected, however, to the already existing global critique on obstetric violence, mistreatment, and abuse.…”

Impact of disrespectful maternity care on childbirth complications: a multicentre cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

“…Obstetric mistreatment and abuse are particularly evident in low-income countries where women are marginalised and oppressed [ 15 ]. Disrespectful maternity care can manifest as treatment denial, disregard for the needs and pain of the patient, intrusive behaviour, medication overuse, forced medical intervention, detention in facilities due to nonpayment, rude or dehumanising treatment, and discrimination or humiliation based on age, gender nonconformity, race, ethnicity, or economic status, among other factors [ 14 , 16 ]. Examples of disrespectful care include repeated vaginal examinations carried out by multiple healthcare professionals; perineal repairs performed without anaesthesia; uterine investigations; verbal, physical, and sexual assault; extortion; imprisonment; and invasion of privacy [ 17 ].…”