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Childbirth experiences related to obstetric violence in public health units in Quito, Ecuador
Author(s) -
Brandão Thais,
Cañadas Sofía,
Galvis Alejandro,
Ríos María Moreno,
Meijer Magriet,
Falcon Kirsten
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1002/ijgo.12625
Subject(s) - medicine , childbirth , episiotomy , breastfeeding , public health , obstetrics , family medicine , nursing , pregnancy , pediatrics , genetics , biology
Objective To explore women's experiences of obstetric violence related to childbirth in Ecuador. Methods The present cross‐sectional descriptive study combined qualitative and quantitative elements of women's childbirth experience in Quito, Ecuador, between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017. Women who delivered in public health units providing different levels of care completed a survey of 32 questions, divided into six dimensions of obstetric violence. Results Overall, 388 women completed the survey, of whom 259 (66.8%) delivered vaginally and 129 (33.2%) delivered by cesarean. Among 120 women who delivered for the first time, 62 (51.7%) had an episiotomy. At the second stage of labor, uterine fundus pressure (Kristeller maneuver) was performed for 49 (19.4%) of 252 women. Overall, 196 (50.5%) women reported that they were not allowed to engage in early attachment, and 135 (34.8%) reported that they did not receive support for the initiation of breastfeeding. Conclusion Various forms of obstetric violence are occurring in the public health services of Quito, despite World Health Organization recognition of the need for perinatal care at the highest level. Programs designed to prevent and diminish obstetric violence are urgently required.