I am certain every one of you can think of a pregnant mother who did not have her husband in the delivery room, couldn’t eat or drink at the hospital, was given an epidural, had to labor on her back and probably ended up meeting her baby via C-section without fully understanding the medical need for it. Obstetric violence is a systemic and institutional problem. It is so engrained in our social practices and health systems here in Egypt that we think it’s the norm; but in reality, this is an (institutional) violation of women’s rights. We have an epidemic on our hands, and up until now, you probably didn’t even know it was a problem!
What is Obstetric Violence?
A typical “Hollywood” image of giving birth comes to mind: a half-naked pregnant woman, with a doctor between her raised legs and exposed genitals, screaming in pain and separated from her child soon after delivery.
The existing scientific literature describes obstetric violence ranging “from the denial of the comfort of a companion of choice, to lack of information about the different procedures performed during care; unnecessary cesarean sections; deprivation of the right to food and walking; routine and repetitive vaginal exams without justification; frequent use of oxytocin to accelerate labor and cutting episiotomies without consent. All these events can ultimately lead to permanent physical, mental and emotional damage.”
As a doula, I have witnessed almost all of these examples during births, from pushing hard on mama’s abdomen after the baby is born, to mamas being subjected to unnecessary and unannounced vaginal cuts, to being coerced into epidurals or given medication to accelerate labor, without being informed or consenting.
To read the full article written by Merette Khalil, click HERE
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