The Continued Significance of Obstetric Violence: A Response to Chervenak, McLeod-Sordjan, Pollet et al

Abstract

This guest editorial offers a critical response to Chervenak, McLeod-Sordjan, Pollet et al.'s clinical opinion dismissing obstetric violence as both emotionally charged and damaging to provider-patient relationships. We assert that obstetric violence remains a significant and useful framework to name and challenge racist, misogynist, and harmful medical practices. We note that such harmful practices are embedded in systems and cannot be addressed merely by individual physicians or shifts in the provider-patient relationship. Throughout, we situate the term obstetric violence in historical and legal context and demonstrate its continuing relevance to contemporary reproductive health care.

Keywords: Black women; childbirth; medical racism; obstetric violence; obstetrics; reproductive health.