Obstetric violence, perception and experience of control in birth: decisional making in reproductive health

Abstract

Introduction. Obstetric violence is an invisibilized issue that has been related to certain sociodemographic variables and to a lack of personal control in childbirth. Objectives. The aim of this study is to analyse the obstetric violence from a psychological perspective, and to understand the perception and experience of childbirth in Spanish women. Methodology. 214 women have participated in this study, aged between 19 and 45 (M = 35.4; DT = 4.56), who have given birth in recent years. Results and discussion. 62.1 % of the sample has suffered obstetric violence. Obstetric violence doesn’t relate to age or socioeconomic status. The level of personal control during childbirth is not related to the number of births. Statistically significant differences were found between obstetric violence and the sense of personal control during childbirth. Conclusion. Obstetric violence is a problematic present in Spain, and it is related to the sense of personal control during childbirth, thus affecting the assessment of the lived experience