Representation of obstetric violence as understood by professional midwives in the city of Temuco

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this research is to characterize the representations of obstetric violence, from the perspective of midwives in Temuco. Those professionals face daily the process of labor, delivering and puerperium. Method: Qualitative research with intentional sampling, of a type case. Nine midwives were interviewed online until the information was saturated. Data was analyzed manually by descriptive analysis and triangulated with researchers. Results: The professionals agree that obstetric violence is an abusive behavior exercised by action or omission and it can manifest itself physically or verbally. As a risk factor for exercising it, they mention stress and lack of empathy. The consequences of the violence for women are physical and mainly psychological damage, such as post-traumatic stress and depression. Conclusions: The interviewees agree that obstetric violence is a problem, and light needs to be shed on it. According to them, the main factors for preventing obstetric violence are training and the humanization of health through the development of empathy.