How we understand obstetric violence

Abstract

What is called obstetric violence we prefer to call institutional violence against women
during obstetric care, mainly to avoid stigmatization of professionals. Research has
been carried out worldwide on its occurrence, although in Latin America there is
limited information from fieldwork. There is still no agreed definition at the level of
health or medical organizations, and different names have been adopted to define
it. Its etiology is multifactorial, and its consequences are physical, mental and sexual,
and in extreme cases it can lead to maternal and/or perinatal death. This section
reviews the different components of this type of violence and the measures adopted
to control its occurrence.