Women who suffer obstetric violence are less likely to leave the maternity ward exclusively breastfeeding and to maintain breastfeeding in the long term. The finding is from an unprecedented study by the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). Among those who had a vaginal delivery, the impact is even greater and can last for up to six months.
The authors used data from the “Born in Brazil” study, which involved more than 24,000 women. The research had already pointed out that 44% suffered some type of obstetric violence. However, for the first time, it was verified the impact of this aggression on breastfeeding in the first hours of the baby’s life and how the compromised breastfeeding in the maternity unit has long-term repercussions.
“There are few studies on the subject and even fewer exploring the consequences of this violence, both for women and newborns”, says researcher Tatiana Henriques Leite, a professor at UERJ and one of the leaders of the work.
In addition to the stress caused by the trauma suffered, which can inhibit milk production, the result highlights the role of the health team. “It is known that many mothers have difficulty breastfeeding, but if their support network commits acts of violence against this woman-mother, this network becomes fragile and how will she ask for help?”, says teacher Emanuele Souza Marques, from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, author of the study.
There is also a chance of other consequences due to obstetric violence: there is a higher risk of postpartum depression and, in a study recently carried out by the same team, a drop in demand for health services. These victims stop going to the doctor or keep postponing the recommended postpartum appointments – up to 15 days for women and in the first seven days for the baby.
broad concept
According to the authors, one of the problems is the very definition of obstetric violence: although many people associate it with physical or sexual abuse, the term is much broader and encompasses psychological violence, disrespect, lack of information, communication, autonomy and even of privacy in contact with the medical team, in addition to the lack of access to resources to which women are entitled.
Submitting to unnecessary procedures – for example, episiotomy – is also considered obstetric violence. Therefore, not always the woman or the health professional can identify that there was an aggression – even if subtle.
“That is why it is essential that the topic be more debated, that women have more information about their rights and find channels to denounce”, defends Tatiana Leite. “But it is also necessary to improve the training of health professionals and promote public policies to mitigate the violation of women’s rights”. (Source: Einstein Agency)
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