Unpublished research points to a relationship between obstetric violence and difficulty breastfeeding

Understand what it meansobstetric violence' ⤵️

Obstetric violence: the Shantal Verdelho case and censorship of the term

The term “obstetric violence” returned to the debate in Brazil after a judge in São Paulo rejected the complaint against doctor Renato Kalil, accused of attacking influencer Shantal Verdelho during childbirth in September 2021. Obstetric violence is not typified in legislation Brazilian crime as a crime, despite being frequently reported by women. The term was censored by the Jair Bolsonaro government in 2019. Critics of the measure say it hinders the fight against abuse in the birth scene. Understand the controversy.

The authors used data from the study “Born in Brazil“, which involved more than 24 thousand women. The survey had already shown that 44% suffered some type of obstetric violence. However, for the first time it was verified the impact of this aggression on breastfeeding in the first hours of the baby's life and howpromeBreastfeeding in maternity has long-term repercussions. 

“There are few studies on the topic and even fewer exploring the consequences of this violence, both for women and newborns”, says researcher Tatiana Henriques Leite, professor at UERJ and one of the leaders of the work. 

In addition to the stress caused by the trauma suffered, which can inhibit milk production, the result highlights the role of the healthcare team. “It is known that many mothers have difficulty breastfeeding, but if their support network commits acts of violence against this woman-mother, this network becomes fragile and how will she ask for help?”, says professor Emanuele Souza Marques, from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, author of the study.

There is also a chance of other consequences due to the obstetric violence: there is a higher risk of postpartum depression and, in a recent study by the same team, a drop in demand for health services. These victims stop going to the doctor or postpone recommended postpartum appointments – up to 15 days for women and the first seven days for the baby. 

Broad concept

According to the authors, one of the problems is the definition of obstetric violence: although many people associate it with physical or sexual abuse, the term is much broader and encompasses psychological violence, disrespect, lack of information, communication, autonomy and even privacy in contact with the medical team, in addition to lack of access resources to which women are entitled.

Submitting to unnecessary procedures – for example, episiotomy – is also considered a obstetric violence. Therefore, the woman or the healthcare professional are not always able to identify that there has been an attack – even if it is subtle. 

“That is why it is essential that the topic is more debated, that women have more information about their rights and find channels to report it”, argues Tatiana Leite. “But it is also necessary to improve the training of health professionals and promote public policies to mitigate violations of women’s rights.” 

(Source: Einstein Agency)

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