9.2 Women’s experiences of obstetric violence

Globally, significant numbers of women report obstetric violence (OV) during childbirth. The United Nations has identified obstetric violence as gendered violence. Obstetric violence can be perpetrated by any healthcare professional (HCP) and is impacted by systemic issues such as HCP education, staffing ratios, and lack of access to continuity of care.   Dr Hazel Keedle PhD is the lead researcher on the Australia's largest maternity experiences survey, The Birth Experience Study. The study explored the experiences of obstetric violence reported in a national survey in 2021 by women who had a baby in the previous 5 years. Open text comments found three main categories:   "I felt dehumanised," "I felt violated," and "I felt powerless."   Women’s experiences of obstetric violence - moving from dehumanised, violated and powerless to respectful care?   Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert, Mayes Midwifery   Contribution from: Dr Hazel Keedle PhD, Senior Lecturer of Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Australia   Biography: Dr Hazel Keedle, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer of Midwifery at Western Sydney University, Australia. Hazel has more than two decades of experience as a clinician in nursing and midwifery, educator and researcher. Hazel's research interests are vaginal birth after caesarean, birth trauma, obstetric violence and maternity experiences explored primarily using feminist mixed methodologies. Hazel's work is recognised nationally and internationally, with many invited conference and seminar presentations including academic publications and a book for women based on her PhD findings ‘Birth after Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth’. Hazel is the lead researcher on the Australia's largest maternity experiences survey, The Birth Experience Study.  Register your free place today to get a personalised reminder from us.  Join us at 7 pm on Wednesday at this hour-long online programme with live audience Q&A to update your knowledge. Live on Maternity and Midwifery Forum | 7pm London, UK | Wednesday's throughout 2022. Listen to the Maternity & Midwifery Hour Podcast   Support us on Patreon.   Catch up on demand Every episode is available free after the live stream – this is created especially for you by Neil Stewart Associates and filmed by Narrowcast Media Group and is available from Midwifery Forum’s YouTube – don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.   Catch up on the highlights with our supporters - www.MATFLIX.co.uk