Articles: Birth Rights
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ARTICLES
Birth in Rape Culture
Obstetric violence culture is a part of rape culture, where sexual violence, especially against women, is normalized.
An Experience of Racism: As a Patient, Employee, and Advocate
As the world begins to find its way back to normalcy, it saddens me that the COVID-19 pandemic is still having devastating effects on the Black community. But as a Black woman who is a victim of healthcare discrimination and mistreatment myself, I have to admit I am...
How to File a Complaint for Mistreatment During Childbirth: *Scholarships Available*
I know I've said this before but... This community rocks. Last week as we were rolling out the "How to File a Complaint" manual, the group Life After 4th Degree Tears (private Facebook support group is here; follow them on Instagram here) contacted us to ask if they...
Spain 2019: Four Case Studies of Lawsuits for Obstetric Violence
Spanish lawyers have filed claims against the state related to the violations of their clients’ human rights in childbirth–with themes of abuse in birth common around the globe.
“She’s Screaming Stop”: Forced Procedures Are Assault
“I interrupted and said ‘she said stop, take your hand out of her vagina right now, she said stop!’”
How An Abortion Amendment Impacts Wanted Pregnancies and Birth
Alabama’s abortion amendment broadly extends state and medical authority over every stage of pregnancy and birth, potentially including how and where women give birth.
When Your Lawyer is Your Doula
“That doesn’t make sense, for her to wait until after she’s abused to call me. If she’s really worried about it, I can meet her at the hospital as her doula, and make sure that doesn’t happen.”
International Midwives and Obstetricians Groups Plead for Clemency in Case of Persecuted Hungarian Midwife/OB Agnes Gereb
This case of birth monopoly is about the long-term legal prosecution of Agnes Gereb, the trailblazing Hungarian obstetrician who chose to become a midwife almost 20 years into her career so that she could support women on their own terms.
Being Admitted to the Hospital or Signing Consent Forms is NOT “Implied Consent”
The concept of “implied consent” is sometimes mischaracterized by hospitals to justify violations of women’s dignity and rights in childbirth.
Letter to an Obstetrician: Forced Vaginal Procedures are Unethical, Traumatic
The performance of medical procedures without consent on a competent adult is unethical, unprofessional, and possibly illegal. More specifically, when a medical or midwifery professional administers a procedure without the consent of the pregnant or laboring...
ACOG to Docs: Women’s Right to Say “No” Comes First
ACOG discourages physicians “in the strongest possible terms” from the use of coercion and court-ordered threats or interventions against pregnant women.
Obstetrician Ethics: Awesome Guidelines from the National OBs’ Group
For pregnant people and those who work with them, these ethical concepts around their care are critical.
Mom Sues for Bait & Switch in Maternity Care
“As if birthing a baby isn’t hard enough, I gave birth while engaged in a physical struggle against the people I trusted to care for us.”
Arizona Birth Monopoly: Mandatory Surgery or Forced Vaginal Exams
While some states are working hard to make maternity care safer, less expensive, and more humane, Arizona is going backwards, fast, led by its state Department of Health Services. New interpretation of existing state regulations that go into effect on July 1 impose...
You’re Not Allowed to Not Allow Me
The legal authority in childbirth lies with the woman giving birth, not the providers of care. Our words should reflect that.
New York Times’ “Refusals”: The Rest of the Story
It was great to see this story in such a prestigious paper, but disappointing that the magnitude of the problem wasn’t mentioned.