Birth Trauma as Gendered Violence: Empowering Women to Prioritize their Well-being
Birth trauma, including obstetric violence, is a widespread issue that affects many women worldwide. Studies show that up to 30% of women experience birth trauma, and 10% are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result. Obstetric violence refers to abusive, disrespectful, or coercive treatment during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum care that causes physical or emotional harm to the mother and/or baby by healthcare providers (Kukura 2018). While the rates of obstetric violence and birth trauma have been increasing, it's important to acknowledge that this violence is preventable and changeable. In this article, we will explore the gendered nature of obstetric violence, the power dynamics that occur during birth, and ways to empower women who have experienced obstetric violence to prioritize their well-being and seek help.
The history of birth and the politics surrounding it has been a contentious issue. Traditionally, birth was attended at home by midwives and female friends, with knowledge passed down from wise women to wise women. However, over time, birth became institutionalized, medicalized, and dominated by male doctors perceived to be the experts and knowledge holders of birth (Johnson 2016). This power shift created a hierarchy that interplayed with gender order and several binaries, causing women to lose their voice and autonomy in birth (Read 2021). In many countries worldwide, laws saw women and their offspring as the property of men, controlling not just birth practices but those of conception and fertility (Read 2021).
Gender embodiment plays a significant role in birth, with femininity often viewed as deviant from the male body, causing shame and remorse felt acutely at the onset of puberty (Dolezal 2020). The link between physical appearance, attractiveness, and personal value can be seen in obstetric practices such as the treatment of women with high BMIs, who often have their rights and options removed, resulting in higher risks for the mother with little improved benefit to the baby. The offering of the "husband stitch," an extra stitch in a perineal repair that tightens the vaginal entrance, is an example of how gendered violence plays out in the birthing space (Coffey 2019).
Women who experience obstetric violence often face gaslighting, which undermines their knowledge and can lead to feelings of disempowerment and trauma. The martyr mother archetype, which demands that a mother should be okay if her baby is healthy and well, can make it challenging for women to speak up about their experiences (Read 2021). The good mother, good woman paradigm demands that the mother's needs be placed below that of the rest of the family, ignoring the fact that the mother's emotional and mental well-being either grounds or creates chaos within her family. It's important to acknowledge that a mother's emotional labour has the most potent effect on those she cares for (Kurz et al. 2020).
To empower women who have experienced obstetric violence, it's essential to prioritize their well-being and seek help. It's crucial to recognize that birth trauma and obstetric violence are not the fault of the mother. They are a result of systemic issues that need to be addressed. Seeking therapy, talking to supportive friends or family members, and joining support groups can be helpful for women who have experienced obstetric violence. It's also crucial for healthcare providers to be educated on obstetric violence and how to provide trauma-informed care to its survivors.
If you or someone you know has experienced obstetric violence, don't hesitate to reach out for support. At Fantastic Futures, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and empowering perinatal services to women who have experienced trauma. We are here to help you navigate this difficult time and support you on your journey to healing. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you.