Today is the World Day Against Gender Violence, a date to become aware of one of the scourges of today's society, among which is a violence that until recently remained in the shadows, an invisible violence that many women suffer in their pregnancies and births: obstetric violence.
The birth of a child should be a unique moment, a day to remember a lifetime, the moment of feeling powerful, that our wishes be heard. But unfortunately, many times the right to give birth as the woman wants is trampled, annulling her as protagonists of the process. It's something that shouldn't happen, that's why, zero tolerance to childbirth abuse.
Invisible abuse
As with other types of abuse, women sometimes do not realize that they are being mistreated. It is assumed that doctors and health workers "know what they should do" and we have to remain silent without comment, because we do not know. Underestimating the mother, minimizing her opinions, not respecting her wishes and of course, receiving insults, and derogatory comments is a form of obstetric violence.
Immobilization during labor (which includes tying the mother's hands and feet), systematic bag breakage, unnecessary interventions such as a caesarean section or an episiotomy without medical justification or being separated from their babies also constitute a violation of their rights newly born.
Exposing the silence
There are many mothers who have lived unrespected births, who have felt that they have stolen that unique and intimate moment.
Giving visibility is one of the ways to combat obstetric violence. That the woman feels that she is not alone, that it is important to speak and expose the pain. Many find it very painful to face their experiences, but fortunately there are more and more campaigns aimed at helping these women and preventing new cases.
From postpartum support groups to photographic projects such as 'Exposing the silence', a movement launched by two mothers who give voice to mothers with traumatic birth experiences.
In any of its forms obstetric violence It is a violation of women's rights that must come to light and be denounced.
