Obstetric Violence is a Misnomer

The term “obstetric violence” has been used in the legislative language of several countries with the intention of protecting mothers from abuse during pregnancy. Subsequently, it has been expanded to include a spectrum of obstetric procedures such as induction of labor, episiotomy, and cesarean delivery and has surfaced in the peer-reviewed literature. The term "obstetric violence" can be seen as quite strong and emotionally charged, which may lead to misunderstandings or misconceptions. It might be interpreted as implying a deliberate act of violence by healthcare providers when mistreatment can sometimes result from systemic issues, lack of training, or misunderstandings rather than intentional violence.

Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology - October 5, 2023 Category: OBGYN Authors: Frank A. CHERVENAK, Renee MCLEOD-SORDJAN, Susan L. POLLET, Monique DE FOUR JONES, Mollie R. GORDON, Adriann COMBS, Eran BORNSTEIN, Dawnette LEWIS, Adi KATZ, Ashley WARMAN, Amos GR ÜNEBAUM Source Type: research