Actions and reactions to obstetric violence: a qualitative study about waterbirth

Abstract

This text is part of a research carried out between 2015 and 2016 aimed to investigate the social representations developed by women who gave birth in water about this type of birth. This is a qualitative study carried out with women who experienced waterbirth in a public and private hospital in Portugal. This article is part of this research, seeking to focus on an important theme seized in this investigation: obstetric violence. We seek to discuss the forms of obstetric violence present in the reports of women who have experienced waterbirth. Methodologically, the research was qualitative, using the snowball technique for access to participants and interviews with them. As a result, the existence of resistance and reactions of women is highlighted who, by naming the practices of obstetric violence, including disrespect in the birth scenario, sought to break in different ways with the asymmetry of the relationship with the child health professional, either by silencing and seeking contact with another professional in the care relationship or by denying the impositions to which they were submitted.