Citation

Sadler M, Leiva G, Olza I. Sex. Reprod. Health Matters 2020; ePub(ePub): 1-4.

Affiliation

Psychiatrist, European Institute of Perinatal Mental Health; Activist at El Parto Es Nuestro, Madrid, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/26410397.2020.1785379

PMID

32552522

Abstract

The new coronavirus outbreak is challenging health systems around the world, requiring quick adjustments and accommodations in order to face the pandemic. During the last decade, the widespread problem of abuse and disrespect of women during childbirth was placed on the global public health agenda.1 The concept of obstetric violence highlighted that these abuses are a form of gender violence which has been validated and perpetuated within biomedical systems.2 In 2018, WHO recommendations on intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience elevated “the concept of experience of care as a critical aspect of ensuring high-quality labour and childbirth care and improved woman-centred outcomes, and not just complementary to provision of routine clinical practices.”3

These were all good advances, but what happens during serious public health threats, such as the COVID-19 pandemic we are going through? In the midst of the outbreak, in many hospital settings around the world which had improved the quality of maternity care, childbirth rights and standards of care are receding. We argue that some of the restrictions and interventions being implemented in childbirth due to the COVID-19 outbreak are not necessary, not based on scientific evidence, are disrespecting human dignity and not proportionate to achieve the objective of limiting the spread of the virus. They therefore constitute obstetric violence, and include unnecessary interventions done without medical indications (such as caesareans or instrumental deliveries), prohibition of companionship during labour, immediate separation and isolation from the newborn, and the prevention of breastfeeding ...

Language: en

Keywords

COVID-19; childbirth; human rights; obstetric violence