“Suffering in Silence,” the Experiences of Women During Delivery in a City in Southern Colombia: A Phenomenological-Hermeneutical Study

We aimed to understand obstetric violence during delivery in a southern Colombian city. This phenomenological hermeneutical study included eight women >18 years with uncomplicated vaginal deliveries >1 month prior. Data from phenomenological interviews were analyzed using the Van Manen method and organized via the Heise model. Five themes emerged across micro, exo, and macrosystems: delivery producing fear, feeling exposed through nudity, lack of information, scolding, and displeasure, normalizing violence, and silently enduring pain. Obstetric violence was present in the delivery experience.