“Invisible wounds of childbirth”; women’s experiences of obstetric violence: a phenomenological qualitative study

Obstetric violence includes physical, verbal, emotional and sexual abuse against women during on labor process, and other negative practices such as violation of privacy, non-consensual interventions and discriminatory care. There are few studies on women's experiences of obstetric violence during on labor process. The aim of this study is to investigate the feelings, thoughts and experiences of women who reported being exposed to obstetric violence at any stage of labor. Data were collected using a constructivist qualitative research design. The interview data were transcribed and then subjected to qualitative content analysis in accordance with Standards for Qualitative Research Reporting (SRQR) using Graneheim and Lundman's content analysis method. The qualitative research software package ATLAS.ti 9 was used for the analysis. The study interviewed 21 women. The analysis of the interviewees' narratives revealed four distinct categories and 13 sub-categories. The four categories were obstetric violence, prevention of participation on labor process, inability to meet professional standards of care, and the woman's emotional state after obstetric violence. The study revealed that women in Turkey are exposed to obstetric violence during the the labor process and that this experience can be addressed in various dimensions. Having experienced obstetric violence, the women reported postpartum emotional reactions such as trauma, fear, anger and frustration. However, despite these negative experiences, some women expressed the joy of motherhood and the happiness and gratitude of being reunited with their baby. Better quality assurance is needed to protect the rights of women in labor and ensure a positive birth experience. • Obstetric violence significantly undermines women's autonomy, violating both human rights and health standards. • Psychological abuse is the most frequently reported form of obstetric violence during childbirth, highlighting urgent needs for improved caregiver-patient communication. • Systemic inadequacies and routine practices contribute substantially to women's negative birth experiences, emphasizing the necessity of health system reforms. • Women experience profound emotional trauma, fear, anger, and frustration following obstetric violence, potentially impacting long-term maternal and infant well-being. • Policy initiatives, caregiver training, respectful care practices, and legal frameworks are essential to combat obstetric violence and safeguard women's reproductive rights. • Childbirth is an important experience for women, with both emotional and physical effects. • This study has highlighted some of the considerations that need to be taken into account and some that should be avoided in order to provide effective care for women in normal labor. • There is a need for high-quality studies on obstetric violence and its prevention.