Obstetric violence
7-minute read
WARNING — This article contains information on some causes of birth trauma.
For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212.
Key facts
- Obstetric violence includes any act that causes harm during your labour and birth.
- Any type of healthcare worker can be responsible for causing obstetric violence.
- There are different types of obstetric violence, such as not getting your consent before examining you.
- If you experience obstetric violence, you can make a complaint.
What is obstetric violence?
Obstetric violence includes abuse or mistreatment during labour and birth. It's a type of gender-based violence and a violation of your human rights.
Examples of obstetric violence are:
- not being offered all available care options
- not being asked for informed consent
- use of language that makes you feel pressured into certain choices
Obstetric violence can lead to birth trauma. Sometimes these terms are used to mean the same thing.
Obstetric violence can sometimes result from systems issues, such as a lack of trauma informed training.
An Australian study found that over 1 in 10 people had some form of obstetric violence when giving birth. While 1 in 3 people reported having a traumatic birth.
Any healthcare worker can cause obstetric violence. This includes:
- obstetricians
- midwives
- anaesthetists
- GPs
- other healthcare workers
What does obstetric violence look like?
Obstetric violence can take different forms. Examining you or giving you treatment without your consent is a type of obstetric violence.
Other examples of obstetric violence are being:
- shouted at
- scolded
- humiliated
- threatened
- ignored
- refused help
It may also be:
- physical violence
- loss of autonomy (independence)
- use of practices not backed by evidence, like routine episiotomy
- having your mobility restricted
- lack of confidentiality
- not gaining consent
- being refused a support person
What are my rights during pregnancy and when having a baby?
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights describes your healthcare rights. These rights apply during your pregnancy and birth.
You have 7 key rights:
- access
- safety
- respect
- partnership
- information
- privacy
- give feedback
You have a right to be treated with respect and dignity. You should expect healthcare professionals to maintain your privacy and keep your health information confidential.
Your choices must be respected, even if they are different from what your doctor or midwife advise.
You have a right to:
- choose what type of pregnancy care you would like
- get information about the benefits and risks of different care options, tests and treatments
- ask questions
- be involved in decisions about your care
- give or withdraw consent for any type of care you're offered
- have a support person with you
You are entitled to pregnancy care that respects your culture, values, beliefs and preferences.
If you need an interpreter, this should be arranged for you at no cost.
Find out more about your rights during pregnancy and birth.
What safeguards are in place to prevent obstetric violence?
There are medical and midwifery guidelines that protect your rights during pregnancy and birth. These guidelines set the standard for pregnancy care in Australia.
These guidelines support the training of healthcare workers to communicate in a sensitive manner:
- with you and your family
- with each other
Having your partner or support person with you at appointments and during labour and birth can help stop obstetric violence.
Your healthcare professionals should recognise and respect your beliefs, including your:
- ethnic beliefs
- religious beliefs
- social beliefs
- cultural values and beliefs
If English is not your first language, you can get an interpreter via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS).
What can I do if I have experienced obstetric violence?
If you experience obstetric violence, you may feel:
- shame
- disrespected
- confused
- violated
- powerless
You might find it helpful to see a counsellor or psychologist to talk about what happened. You can ask your doctor for a referral.
How do I make a complaint?
Talking to the healthcare professionals involved in your care can help you understand what's happened and why.
To make a complaint, ask for the hospital complaints manager or consumer adviser.
You can call the health complaints agency in your state or territory, if:
- you don't feel comfortable complaining to the hospital
- you're not happy with the way your complaint was dealt with
To complain about a healthcare worker, call the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) on 1300 419 495.
Resources and support
Visit Australian Birth Trauma Association for information and support, including peer-to-peer support.
Visit PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) for information and support. You can call the PANDA national helpline on 1300 726 306.
Gidget Foundation Australia supports the emotional wellbeing of expectant and new parents. You can call them on 1300 851 758.
ForWhen connects new parents to mental health services and supports. You can call them on 1300 24 23 22.
Beyond Blue offers mental health support and counselling. You can call 1300 22 4636 or chat to a counsellor online.
The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) has information on perinatal mental health and information on support services.
Find out more about your rights as a consumer of the Australian healthcare system.
Find contact details of the health complaints agency in your state or territory.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.