In 2007, Venezuela became the first nation to create a law specifically addressing obstetric violence. In Latin America, reports of obstetric violence have been extensively documented. The most common kinds of mistreatment are non-consensual procedures (including sterilization), non-evidence-based interventions like routine episiotomies, and physical, verbal and sexual abuse. We can only wonder why obstetric abuse is so ubiquitous in Latin America, a place where motherhood is often sanctified. Putting a name to the practice of obstetric violence is the first step toward standing up against it, and so, of course, doctors have begun fighting back.

Source: New York Times March 11, 2019 23:10 UTC