According to the world Health Organization, obstetric violence brings together the behaviors of physical or verbal abusestigmatization and discrimination suffered by some women during pregnancy and childbirth. It also includes the realization of medical procedures without the consent of the mother, the use of strength or abandonment or negligence by a healthcare professional.
In the study, 7,332 women were surveyed, and 1,888 of them declared to have suffered obstetric violence
Unfortunately, although less and less taboo is still one of the situations that most affect the maternal mental healthwhose world day commemorates every first Wednesday in May.
Thus, a study that is published today in the magazine Acta Obstetrics and Gynecologica Oncology shows that A quarter Of the women who gave birth in Metropolitan France, they declared to have received an irrespectful treatment during childbirth or during their stay in the hospital after giving birth.
In total, 7,332 women were surveyed, and 1,888 of them declared to have been subject to shocking, offensive or uncomfortable attitudes by health professionals.
According to the results, the majority of women who claimed to have suffered obstetric violence were the first time they parkedThey had a high educational level, a delivery plan and an instrumental or caesarean section. In addition, women with psychiatric history or prenatal psychological disorders were more likely to suffer disrespectful care.
Also during pregnancy
Raquel Guesecarperinatal psychologist of the Official College of the Psychology of Madrid (COP), explains to SINC that childbirth is the time of the process that is most spoken to obstetric violence, but emphasizes that “during pregnancy and puerperium Violent situations also occur. ”
Obstetric violence has to do with the fact that the people who are present accompany the mother, the baby and the companion
Raquel Huéscar, perinatal psychologist of the COP
“Pregnancy is a moment of great vulnerability, in which, for example, there are situations in which Infantiliza Too much to women, ”says Guesecar. According to the psychologist, it can happen that, from good intention,” health personnel say that they know what is better for the mother better than herself, and the necessary informed consent are not applied. “
Another situation where those surveyed in the study indicated having suffered lack of respect was when They checked To your children. Huéscar also underlines violence in the puerperium, especially with the “unnecessary separations.”
“Obstetric violence has nothing to do with things to get complicated. It has to do with the fact that the people who are present accompany the mother, the baby and the companion,” he insists, and stresses that these situations can have consequences both on the mother and the baby.
Increasingly informed
The psychologist believes that mothers are increasingly aware of the existence of this violence, although she says that this “is only a part.” “There is a conscience, especially at the time of childbirth, about the consent of certain things. But at this time it is not everything, because you do not act from the information, but of what comes out of within, ”he says.
I think it is important that health professionals have attention from institutions so that they can do their job as well as possible
Raquel Huéscar, perinatal psychologist of the COP
On health professionals, he believes there is an advance, but points out that “high prevalence makes us ask what kind of measures They are being taken. ”Even so, Huéscar points out that these situations can be traced to the” institutional “level.
“Sometimes professionals who attend childbirth and puerperium have Too many people in charge And they do not have the necessary time to be able to manage the things that happen in the paritor well, “says the psychologist.” I think it is important that these professionals have attention from the institutions so that they can do their job as well as possible, “he adds.
