Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 Fall;18(4):8-11.
doi: 10.1624/105812409X474663.

Abuse in hospital-based birth settings?

Susan Hodges  1
Affiliations

Abuse in hospital-based birth settings?

Susan Hodges. J Perinat Educ. 2009 Fall.

Abstract

Are laboring and birthing women treated abusively in the hospital? Although seldom recognized as abuse or violence against women, bullying and medical treatments under false pretenses, even in a hospital, constitute abuse and a basic human rights issue that needs attention. Naming the problem is a first step. The power of medical authority, the lack of accountability in the hospital hierarchical system, policies and protocols, and expectations of compliancy all make an environment ripe for abuse and present obstacles for both women and staff to recognize or stop abuse. Learning to recognize abuse and take effective action, and understanding the legal requirements for "informed consent" can help, but ending abuse will require systemic change.

Keywords: abuse of childbearing women; bullying; hospital abuse; informed consent; rights of childbearing women.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Coloroso B. New York: Harper Paperbacks; 2009. The bully, the bullied, and the bystander: From preschool to high school – How parents and teachers can help break the cycle (updated ed.)
    1. Evans P. Avon, MA: Adams Media Corporation; 1996. The verbally abusive relationship: How to recognize it and how to respond (2nd ed.)
    1. Evans P. Controlling people: How to recognize, understand and deal with people who try to control you. Avon, MA: Adams Media Corporation; 2002.
    1. Farrell M.V. Bullying. Midwifery Today, 80. 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/bullying_1.asp. - PubMed
    1. Farrell M.V. Finding better solutions to end bullying – What a midwife can do. Midwifery Today, 83. 2007a. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/bullying_4.asp. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources