FRI-2G.104-1-HC-10
ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF OBSTETRIC AGGRESSION
Abstract
The term obstetric aggression was proposed by renowned obstetrician-gynecologist, doctor of medical sciences and corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Viktor Radzinsky, who views obstetric aggression as iatrogenic, unreasonable actions aimed at supposed benefit but leading only to harm, including complications of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as increased perinatal, infant, maternal morbidity and mortality.
Obstetric violence goes unrecognized and unreported, in part due to a lack of effective reporting procedures. Moreover, like other types of violence, it is an extremely sensitive subject that often evokes disturbing memories for those who have experienced or witnessed it. For this reason, many people are unwilling or unable to talk about their experiences.
To prevent harm to women and newborns resulting from excessive obstetric aggression, in 2018 the World Health Organization (WHO) published new recommendations for non-clinical interventions to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections.
Obstetric violence goes unrecognized and unreported, in part due to a lack of effective reporting procedures. Moreover, like other types of violence, it is an extremely sensitive subject that often evokes disturbing memories for those who have experienced or witnessed it. For this reason, many people are unwilling or unable to talk about their experiences.
To prevent harm to women and newborns resulting from excessive obstetric aggression, in 2018 the World Health Organization (WHO) published new recommendations for non-clinical interventions to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections.
Keywords
midwife, prevention, aggression, birth, medical standard, best practices
REFERENCES
- Battisti, A., (2022). “The need to legislate and regulate obstetric violence to ensure women a real legal protection”. Revista (Con) textos, 10 (1): 133-149.
- Bohren, MA., Jp, Vogel, EC Hunter, O. Lutsiv, SK. Makh, JP. Souza, C. Aguiar C, F. Saraiva Coneglian, AL. Diniz, O. Tunçalp, D. Javadi, OT. Oladapo, R. Khosla, Mj. Hindin, AM. Gülmezoglu. (2015). The Mistreatment of Women during Childbirth in Health Facilities Globally: A Mixed- Methods Systematic Review. PLoS Med 1001847; discussion e1001847. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001847. PMID: 26126110; PMCID: PMC4488322.
- Chen, I., N. Opiy, E. Tavender, S. Mortazhejri, T. Rader, J. Petkovic, S. Yogasingam, M. Taljaard, S. Agarwal, M. Laopaiboon, J. Wasiak, S. Khunpradit, P. Lumbiganon, RL. Gruen, AP. Betran. (2018). Non-clinical interventions for reducing unnecessary caesarean section. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.;9(9):CD005528. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005528.pub3. PMID: 30264405; PMCID: PMC6513634.
- FIGO (international federation of gynecology and obstetrics) committee for the study of ethical aspects of human reproduction and women’s health, Ethical Issues in Obstetrics and Gynecology, ottobre (2015), https://www.figo.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/FIGO%20ETHICAL%20ISSUES%20- %20OCTOBER%202015%20%28003%29.pdf (ultima consultazione 16/09/2021). 10 The Paper is Presented in October 25, 2024 at the Scientific Conference RU & SU'24 in the Health Care section. It has been nominated for Publication in Compiled edition of Reports Awarded with “Best Paper“ Cristal Prize’24
- Kasaye, H., V. Scarf, A. Sheehy. (2024). The mistreatment of women during maternity care and its association with the maternal continuum of care in health facilities. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 24, 129. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06310-8
- Leite,T., E. Marques, M. Mesenburg, M. da Silveira, M. Leal, (2023). The effect of obstetric violence during childbirth on breastfeeding: findings from a perinatal cohort “Birth in Brazil”,
- Ozhiganova, A. (2020). Authoritative knowledge of childbirth and obstetrics: analysis of discursive practices of Russian perinatal specialists. Population and Economics 4(4): 84- 99. https://doi.org/10.3897/popecon.4.e57267
- Radzinskii, V. (2011). Obstetric aggression, Media Bureau Status present. 688p.
- Seys, D., Wu AW, V. Gerven, A. Vleugels A, M. Euwema, M. Panella, S. Scott, J. Conway, W. Sermeus, K. Vanhaecht. (2013). Health care professionals as second victims after adverse events: a systematic review. Eval Health Prof. Jun;36(2):135-62. doi: 10.1177/0163278712458918. Epub 2012 Sep 12. PMID: 22976126.
- Sripad, P., MW. Merritt, D. Kerrigan, T. Abuya, C. Ndwiga, CE. Warren. (2022). Determining a Trusting Environment for Maternity Care: A Framework Based on Perspectives of Women, Communities, Service Providers, and Managers in Peri-Urban Kenya. Front Glob Womens Health.;3:818062. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.818062. PMID: 35528311; PMCID: PMC9069110.
- Williams, C. R., C. Jerez, K. Klein et al. (2018). "Obstetric violence: a Latin American legal response to mistreatment during childbirth", BJOG, An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
- Wojcieszek AM, M. Bonet, A. Portela, F. Althabe, R. Bahl, N. Chowdhary, T. Dua, K. Edmond, S. Gupta, LM. Rogers, JP. Souza. (2023). WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience: strengthening the maternal and newborn care continuum. BMJ Glob Health.:e010992. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010992. PMID: 36717156; PMCID: PMC9887708.
- World Health Organization. (2016). Standards for improving quality of maternal and newborn care in health facilities. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/260178/9789241550215-eng.pdf