Obstetric violence is an invisible practice in medical care. It refers to practices and behaviors that health professionals carry out on women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, which by action or omission are violent or can be perceived as violent.
As social workers, we must intervene in these situations, but… how do we do it?
Obstetric violence is an often invisible practice within medical care. It refers to actions and behaviors by healthcare professionals toward women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period that, whether through action or negligence, constitute violence or can be perceived as such. Social workers play a crucial role in addressing this issue through a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach. The following strategies outline how social workers can identify and mitigate obstetric violence in the healthcare system:
1. Identifying Obstetric Violence
To detect obstetric violence, social workers can:
Conduct empathetic interviews with patients to document their experiences during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care.
Observe interactions between healthcare providers and patients, particularly in communication and medical decision-making processes.
Analyze patient complaints and reports related to verbal abuse, non-consensual medical procedures, or unjustified delays in care.
Collaborate with patient advocacy groups and women’s rights organizations to identify patterns of obstetric violence in healthcare facilities.
2. Raising Awareness and Providing Education
Educate healthcare professionals on reproductive rights and the importance of informed consent in all medical procedures.
Develop awareness campaigns to inform pregnant women about their rights in maternal healthcare.
Implement gender-sensitive training for healthcare staff to promote a culture of respectful and empathetic care.
3. Supporting Survivors
Facilitate the reporting of obstetric violence through safe and reliable complaint mechanisms.
Provide psychosocial support services, including counseling and emotional assistance for those who have experienced traumatic obstetric care.
Connect patients with legal aid if they wish to pursue justice for violations they have endured.
4. Advocating for Policy Reform
Advocate for policies that protect women from obstetric violence within the healthcare system.
Assist hospitals in developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) that prioritize patient rights and dignity.
Monitor policy implementation and ensure the presence of transparent accountability mechanisms.
5. Collaborating with Medical Teams and Stakeholders
Work alongside doctors, midwives, and nurses to enhance maternal healthcare services that prioritize dignity and respect.
Engage with government agencies and health organizations to develop and implement programs that prevent obstetric violence.
As social workers, you need to become aware of the practice of women with borderline personality disorder to make up lies of supposed obstetric violence that never happened as a result of their mental illness. I wrote up 3 cases of it that happened to me, that can inform you of what to look for: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T8pVAoL_uChRjCN89mfGuj_v8SOY03eF-0GeGjlPsBQ/edit?usp=sharing
Social workers can identify and address obstetric violence by actively listening to women's experiences, monitoring for signs of disrespect or abuse during childbirth, advocating for patients' rights, training healthcare staff on respectful care, and working to implement policies that promote accountability and gender-sensitive practices within the health system.
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