BackgroundObstetric violence is a widespread form of institutional abuse that violates women's sexual and reproductive rights during childbirth. Although informed consent is a fundamental ethical, legal, and human right requiring adequate information and active participation, it is frequently absent or incomplete, even in non-emergency obstetric care.AimTo identify which clinical practices, according to their context (emergency or routine) and the presence or absence of informed consent, are associated with higher perceptions of obstetric violence. Additionally, it is to assess the influence of professional treatment on these perceptions.Research designCross-sectional observational study.Participantsand research context: 2,367 women who gave birth in Spanish public hospitals. Perceptions of obstetric violence and quality of care were measured using the Childbirth Abuse and Respect Evaluation-Maternal Questionnaire (CARE-MQ) and the Quality from the Patient's Perspective-Intrapartal Questionnaire (QPP-I).Ethical ConsiderationsThe study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Reina Sofía University Hospital of Córdoba and by the ethics committees of Ciudad Real University Hospital and Mancha-Centro Hospital.FindingsClinical practices performed without informed consent or adequate information were significantly associated with higher CARE-MQ scores (p < .001). Procedures such as episiotomy and oxytocin administration, when carried out outside emergency situations, had a particularly strong impact on perceptions of abuse. Negative evaluations of professional treatment were also significantly associated with higher CARE-MQ scores (p < .001). Midwives received the highest ratings among healthcare professionals.ConclusionThe absence of informed consent is a key determinant of women's perceptions of obstetric violence, regardless of clinical context. Identifying procedures with low consent rates and highlighting the protective role of respectful professional behavior, particularly midwife-led care, provides actionable targets to improve maternity services. Strengthening communication, ethical training, and midwife-led models is essential to promote respectful maternity care and safeguard women's rights during childbirth.

Indigenous Kichwa women in the Ecuadorian Amazon experience disproportionately high levels of obstetric violence, yet their experiences remain largely absent from national demographic data. This study aims to measure the prevalence and forms of obstetric violence among Kichwa women while demonstrating the utility of community-designed demographic tools for documenting marginalized reproductive health experiences. We developed a participatory survey in collaboration with Kichwa midwives and women, several of whom are co-authors, and administered 139 structured surveys and 69 ethnographic interviews across 43 Indigenous communities in the Napo province to women who had given birth in a public hospital within the past five years. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to estimate prevalence across domains of obstetric violence, and interviews were thematically analyzed to contextualize these patterns. Findings indicate pervasive obstetric violence, including non-consensual procedures, verbal and psychological abuse, structural barriers to care, and suppression of traditional practices such as midwifery and plant medicine. Over 80% of participants reported at least one non-consensual procedure and at least one form of cultural or epistemic suppression, with most experiencing violence across multiple domains. These results position obstetric violence in the Amazon as a compounded, population-level exposure shaped by structural, environmental, and cultural determinants, underscoring the need for intercultural health reforms and Indigenous-led models of health governance.

Oxytocin is a contemporary tragedy based on real testimonies from Costa Rican women who have experienced obstetric violence. It emerged as an interdisciplinary artistic investigation and creation that seeks to highlight a form of systematic violence that is often normalized but leaves deep scars on the bodies and psyches of those who experience it. The project combines elements of theater, dance, visual arts, and social studies to denounce this violence from an intimate, poetic, and collective perspective.

Abstract This paper highlights how fetal ultrasound scanning involves an intrusion upon the integrity of the pregnant person’s body and their psychological space. It contends that this intrusion has the potential to harm the pregnant people subjected to it in medical contexts as a result of the normative practices and interpretative frameworks associated with it. The socio-cultural practices associated with fetal ultrasound pathologize pregnant bodies and perpetuate logics in which pregnant people are subordinated, discredited, devalued, and policed within social relations as women and mothers-to-be. Further, the paper argues that the intrusion of fetal ultrasound is obscured in the medical monitoring of pregnancy where it is taken for granted as a benign aspect of routine antenatal care. Consequently, we contend that fetal ultrasound is a normalized and gendered intrusion that can cause epistemic harm, scaffold obstetric violence, and may sometimes constitute a form of obstetric violence in and of itself.

BackgroundMaternal health in at-risk communities is a significant public health issue, especially in areas characterized by socio-economic and healthcare inequalities. This study aims to uncover the multiple factors that influence maternal well-being in Morocco, providing insights for targeted interventions and policy development.MethodsAn interpretive grounded theory approach was employed, combining in-depth interviews, observations and constant comparative data analysis. Participants (n= 69, aged 17-49) were recruited from six provinces across five main regions, representing diverse socio-economic backgrounds, cultural contexts, and healthcare systems.ResultsThe analysis identified four main categories explaining the interactions and interrelations of factors shaping maternal and reproductive health. First, childbirth and postpartum maternal healthcare experiences reveal contrasting realities between home and hospital births, marked by fear, neglect, obstetric violence, and the critical role of family support. Second, cultural practices and beliefs strongly shape perceptions of pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care, sometimes providing protection and other times reinforcing harmful traditions. Third, maternal health dynamics in the societal context highlight systemic barriers to healthcare access, the weight of sociocultural expectations, and the compounded burden of rural living. Finally, women's reproductive autonomy and family size underscore limited decision-making power, ambivalence toward contraceptive use, son preference, and contraceptive misinformation. Together, these categories illustrate the complexity of relationships between socioeconomic status, access to healthcare services, education, cultural beliefs, and social support networks, which emerge as important determinants of maternal and reproductive health outcomes in Morocco.ConclusionsBy amplifying their voices and perspectives, this research advocates for holistic, equitable, and empowering approaches to maternal healthcare. The findings underscore the need for interventions tailored to local contexts, based on a thorough understanding of the determinants of maternal health.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric racism (OR), as an intersection between institutional violence and medical racism, exposes inequalities of gender, race, and nationality, revealing the systematic discrimination faced by Black women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. These discriminatory practices are reflected in dehumanizing attitudes, negligence, and disregard for the needs of Black women, aggravating the impacts of obstetric violence. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the subjective experience of OR experienced by a Black Brazilian woman in the context of Portugal’s National Health Service (NHS). METHOD: Based on an intersectional feminist epistemology and a social constructionist approach. The research, which is qualitative and exploratory, adopts a case study approach to understand complex social phenomena and their manifestation in the specific context of maternal care. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results indicate that OR in the NHS manifests itself in various ways, jeopardizing access to adequate care and the experience of motherhood for Black women. The analysis highlights that the phenomenon goes beyond individual attitudes and is the result of colonial, historical, and cultural structures that perpetuate the marginalization of Black bodies, limiting access to equitable reproductive care. The study emphasizes the urgency of public policies and health practices that promote a more humanized and inclusive approach.

This paper analyzes how miscarriages and obstetric emergencies, as they are considered manifestations of obstetric violence and consequently gender violence, impact women's human rights, especially the right to privacy and data health. We analyze the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruling in the case of Manuela* et al. v. El Salvador. She had an obstetric emergency, but the physician assumed that Manuela had induced a miscarriage. She was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison for the crime of aggravated homicide. During the trial and imprisonment, she was diagnosed and given late medical treatment for Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, which contributed to Manuela’s death. Based on the above, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights concludes that El Salvador is responsible for the violation of human rights. This paper discusses how obstetric violence affects the patient's right to privacy and their health data protection.

To identify and describe instruments used to assess obstetric violence and evaluate their methodological quality and psychometric properties. A scoping review. Ten databases [Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SinoMed, Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database and China Medical Journal Full-text Database] were searched from inception to June 2025. Studies focusing on the development or validation of obstetric violence measurement tools were eligible for this review. Methodological quality and psychometric properties were evaluated using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist and criteria. A total of 19 studies encompassing 25 obstetric violence measurement tools were included. These studies were conducted in 15 countries between 2018 and 2025. The tools targeted postnatal and pregnant women, healthcare providers, students and other populations. Most studies reported data on content validity, structural validity and internal consistency. Limited information was available on cross-cultural validity/measurement invariance, reliability, measurement error, criterion validity, hypotheses testing for construct validity and responsiveness. This review identified multiple obstetric violence instruments used across diverse populations and settings. Whilst the methodological quality and measurement properties of the included tools were sub-optimal, they nevertheless provide a foundation for the timely assessment of obstetric violence and subsequent research. Future research should prioritise the establishment of a unified definition of obstetric violence, alongside the development, adaptation and rigorous validation of measurement instruments to enhance their reliability and validity. This review underscores the need for maternity care professionals and educators to critically evaluate existing tools for measuring obstetric violence, given their current methodological limitations. The PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. No patient or public contribution.

The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of obstetric violence (OV) on maternity healthcare professionals (MHPs) in Israel and the coping strategies they employ. This qualitative study was conducted in various maternity care settings across Israel. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 21 MHPs, who had witnessed or had been involved in incidents of OV. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically to identify key patterns related to the emotional and professional effects of OV, and to the coping strategies used by the participants. The analysis revealed two primary themes. The first relates to the consequences of exposure to OV on MHPs, including the impact on professional identity and functioning, emotional and psychological distress, and ambivalent responses to colleagues involved in such incidents. The second theme addresses MHPs' coping strategies such as disclosing incidents despite anticipated repercussions and feelings of isolation alongside coping through personal initiatives (raising awareness and promoting action regarding OV within and beyond the workplace). Findings highlight the imperative for a dual strategy: eradication of OV and providing meaningful support to all affected individuals, both the women subjected to OV and the MPHs exposed to or involved in such events.

Unravelling dual violence against women in Ethiopia: Experiences of obstetric violence and postpartum intimate partner violence.

ABSTRACT In May 2024, the NSW State Parliament Select Committee Inquiry into Birth Trauma handed down a landmark report on birth trauma following a year-long inquiry. However, the Final Report omitted the term ‘obstetric violence', and the Committee refused to include a finding that some instances of birth trauma amounted to gender-based violence. This article grapples with the erasure of obstetric violence in what is otherwise a significant step towards addressing maternity care issues in Australia. Taking up intersectional feminist approaches to obstetric violence and Reproductive Justice frameworks, I argue that at present, obstetric violence is an overlooked form of gender-based violence in feminist theory and reproductive healthcare in Australia. Connecting historic and contemporary issues in obstetric violence to international debates and theory, I unpack the arguments present in the Inquiry, which rejected the concept's use in Australia. These arguments included: (1) definitional disputes over ‘obstetrics' and ‘violence'; (2) concepts of medical benevolence and (3) and finally a contention based on ideas of woman-centred care. Critiquing these arguments, I present a case for the importance of obstetric violence’s ability for “epistemic rupture” in Australia (Chadwick [2021: “Breaking the Frame: Obstetric Violence and Epistemic Rupture.” Agenda 35 (3): 104-115. https://doi.org/10.1080/10130950.2021.1958554]).

BackgroundObstetric violence is globally acknowledged as a significant public health concern, with women in many countries reporting different types of mistreatment during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, that negatively affect their physical and emotional health. Many women are vulnerable to obstetric violenceand without knowledge about their rights, do not identify specific manifestations of violence.AimThis baseline study aimed to assess the current knowledge on obstetric violence in pregnant women and to determine possible associated factors in the central zone, Tanzania.MethodsThe baseline cross-sectional study was conducted on 349 randomly selected pregnant women between February and April 2025. A standard semi-structured questionnaire in a kobo tool box software was used to collect data on knowledge of obstetric violence and associated factors. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted using SPSS software version 29.ResultsOverall, only 120(34.4%) of pregnant women had adequate knowledge of obstetric violence. The most commonly known components of obstetric violence were verbal 216(61.9%) and physical violence 211(60.5%). High levels of education, gravidity, and mobile phone usage for health-related issues were significantly associated with knowledge of obstetric violence. In addition, none of the pregnant woman reported being counselled about obstetric violence during their antenatal care.ConclusionThis baseline assessment offers essential information regarding the current state of knowledge about obstetric violence among pregnant women. The absence of reported counseling about obstetric violence during antenatal care highlights a critical gap. The results highlight the necessity for selective educational initiatives to enhance women's knowledge and their rights during pregnancy, childbirth and after childbirth in promoting respectful maternity care.

In this article, we conceptualize how Davis' two concepts of uneven reproduction and obstetric racism-both rooted in the US context-are effectuated in the Netherlands. We consider uneven reproduction to consist of bio- and necropolitics, namely the management and regulation of a population's bodies, life and death. Through bio- and necropolitics, certain life is optimized by investments, and other life is negated by disinvestments in reproductive care in daily care work through obstetric racism. We develop an understanding of obstetric racism in the Netherlands by analyzing how it operates as a form of uneven reproduction, by providing theoretical depth to the concept of obstetric racism in the context of Europe. Based on data analysis from interviews and focus group conversations on obstetric violence with midwives, doulas, midwives-in-training, and mothers who gave birth within the last 10 years, we link the concept of uneven reproduction to daily practices of obstetric racism in the Netherlands. We find that obstetrics operates on the basis of linguistic racism and othering through exoticization, specifically for women racialized as Black through the racial stereotype of being "natural birthers," while other marginalized racialized women are seen as "bad birthers."

Introduction: Obstetric and gynecological violence continues to be a serious problem in developing countries, where women's reproductive rights are violated; therefore, it was proposed to analyze how humanized childbirth is provided in obstetric services to ensure maternal and neonatal health, as well as the strategies implemented in the care of the couple. Methods: A literature review study of original studies in Spanish, English and Portuguese was arried out, with a sample of 30 articles selected from indexed databases such as SCOPUS, SCIELO, CINALH, PUBMED and REDALYC. These sources were organized in an Excel matrix for analysis using the CASPe critical reading rubric to verify the rigor and scientific quality according to the selection criteria. Results: Humanized childbirth fosters the mother-baby bond, direct skin-to-skin contact, early initiation of breastfeeding and the participation of the woman, which improves the physical and emotional health of both, reduces postpartum complications and strengthens emotional bonds. In addition, it respects cultural beliefs and fosters an environment of family support, which makes it possible to face challenges such as resistance to change, infrastructure limitations and work overload. Conclusion: This approach promotes a safe, quality and family-centered environment, integrating strategies that promote the wellbeing of the trinomial, where emotional support and the reduction of unnecessary medical interventions favor natural childbirth, direct skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding and family involvement, thus reducing the risk of complications in the puerperium.

Obstetric violence is an emerging health problem in maternal health services utilization. In the study context, there was limited evidence on obstetrics violence. Hence, the aim of this study to assess obstetric violence and its associated factors among HIV-positive women received birth care at public health facilities, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 318 HIV-positive women had been participated in this study yielding 100% response rate. In this study 79% of HIV-positive women reported they had been subjected to at least one form of obstetric violence during birth care. The top three reported forms of obstetric violence: 249 (78.3%) failure to get informed consent, 227 (71.4%) unconsented medical procedure, 140 (44%) neglecting to suffer life-threatening complication. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis were identified that Female birth attendants (AOR = 2.85; 95% CI 1.57, 5.15), less than three times ANC-visitors (AOR = 2.99; 95% CI 1.39, 6.45), age > 35 years old (AOR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.25, 4.90) and primary school attendants (AOR = 2.13; 95% CI 1.08, 4.17) were significantly associated with obstetrics violence. This study identified that high prevalence of obstetric violence among HIV positive women. Hence, mitigation is needed to be undertaken by taking the reported forms of obstetrics violence, socio-demographic and obstetrics variables by ensuring a systematic and strategic intervention for quality birth care utilization through an inclusive involvement like families, communities, government and stakeholders.

This study aimed to examine whether obstetric violence predicts traumatic childbirth perception among women. This cross-sectional study included 307 women who gave birth within the healthcare system. Data were collected via an online survey using validated scales. Findings showed moderate levels of traumatic childbirth perception, with obstetric violence significantly associated with higher perceptions of trauma. Marital status, psychological history, pregnancy planning, conception method, and prenatal education attendance also influenced perception. These factors together explained 25.8% of the variance. Promoting respectful maternity care and trauma-informed practices is crucial for improving maternal mental health outcomes.

Recognizing obstetric violence is vital for protecting women's rights and ensuring respectful care; thus, midwifery students must be aware.The purpose of this study was to determine midwifery students’ knowledge of, and experience with, obstetric violence during labour. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April and June 2024. The participants were 258 midwifery students attending a state university who were taking part in clinical practice.Data were collected using both the Descriptive Information Form and Obstetric Violence Diagnosis Form. The mean age of the participants was 21.30 ± 2.21 years. 57% of students participated in birth; 17.4% witnessed violence. The following types of intervention were identified by participants as constituting obstetric violence:not adequately protecting the privacy of the pregnant woman (68.2%); pelvic examinations being conducted without consent (identified by 63.2% of the participants); restrictions of a patient’s freedom of movement (57.4%); and patients being forced into the lithotomy position (54.3%). Among verbal abuses toward women, ‘Stop complaining’ (64.3%) and ‘You don’t know how to push the baby (%63.6)’ were most common. Other examples of interventions which were not approved of by the participants include routine episiotomy ( 48%), episiotomy and suturing perineal tears without local anaesthesia (56.6% ).Overall, 31% of the students stated that obstetric violence was common in health institutions. In preventing obstetric violence, education, implementation of guidelines, respectful care protocols, legal regulations, and a patient-centered childbirth process are of critical importance.

The main objective of this study was to present Popular Health Education (PHE) as an educational method for confronting obstetric violence, based on the premise that popular education popularizes education, informing and engaging all segments of the female population in the pregnancy cycle. This article is divided into four sections presenting what obstetric violence is, PHE and popular knowledge, PHE and obstetric violence, and, broadly, how to address reality and social problems through the Maguerez Arc.

This article reports on the experience of the “Café com Mulheres” project, carried out in the Vila São José community (Paracambi/RJ), focusing on the listening and mobilization of Black women. Based on talking circles, the study analyzes the intersections between obstetric violence, institutional racism, motherhood, and territorial exclusion. Using an intersectional and ethnographic methodology, it reflects on structural oppressions and everyday practices of resistance. Grounded in Black feminist authors, the article affirms the circle as a political practice and a space of reexistence in the face of life precarization in the urban peripheries.

This article addresses childbirth narrative as autobiographical storytelling and a potential research tool in the fields of gender issues, motherhood, family, and health humanization. Through the analysis of Manoela's childbirth narrative, the possibilities of this type of storytelling in reshaping the physical and psychological experience of childbirth are examined, contextualizing the movement towards childbirth humanization and the fight against obstetric violence practices. It is concluded that this form of narrative has the ability to reorganize lived experience while also playing a strategic role in the political realm. Framing this type of narrative within the political, social, and economic spheres surrounding the gender dimension provides insights to explore not only individual experiences but also the socially articulated standpoint of discourses.