TRAUMA AND EMERGENCIES
I was mistreated during childbirth.
Obstetric violence is “normalized mistreatment of women and birthing people in the childbirth setting. It is an attempt to control a woman’s body and decisions, violating her autonomy and dignity. It has also been termed ‘disrespect & abuse’ by the World Health Organization” (Source: Birth Monopoly) Such mistreatment may include:
Forced procedures
Procedures without consent
Mocking pain or suffering
Disregarding birth plan
Hostility towards doulas
Language like “allowing” or “letting” the patient
If you have experienced obstetric violence, the following organizations provide resources that can help you heal from your experience and potentially seek legal action.
Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth (PATTCh)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pattch.org/
Contact: http://pattch.org/contact-us/
PATTCh is an organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of traumatic childbirth. We envision a world where women, infants, and families experience optimal physical and mental health in pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The PATTCh board members are a group of psychotherapists, childbirth educators, doulas, researchers, and academicians who are dedicated to bringing together like-minded individuals to educate childbearing women and families and maternity care professionals; develop effective prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care practices to prevent or reduce traumatic birth and post-birth PTSD; and identify and promote effective treatments to enhance recovery.
Birth Monopoly
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birthmonopoly/
Birth Monopoly advocates for a maternity care system that recognizes that you own your body. Birth Monopoly is working to dismantle the monopoly that tells us how, where, and with whom we are ‘allowed’ and ‘not allowed’ to give birth. They provide a "Know Your Rights" course, and they address issues of childbirth rights and obstetric violence.
Obstetric Violence: https://birthmonopoly.com/obstetric-violence/