OBJECTIVE

To investigate the meaning of the concept of 'obstetric violence' to women in Sweden, who reported a negative birth experience.

DESIGN

An inductive qualitative approach with individual narratives. A thematic qualitative content analysis was used.

SETTING

Three midwifery clinics in southwest Scania.

PARTICIPANTS

Twelve women who had given birth less than three years previously and reported a negative/traumatic birth experience.

FINDINGS

The key findings showed that the women had experienced psychological and physical abuse during childbirth which may be interpreted as 'obstetric violence'. Four categories emerged from the analyses describing the women's experiences: Lack of information and consent including poor information and no right to participate in decisions concerning the process of labour, Insufficient pain relief, which encompassed unbearable pain without pain relief, Lack of trust and security where the women experienced staff with bad attitudes and jargon, and The experience of abuse including threats of violence from midwives and where the birth experience was compared to rape.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that physical and psychological abuse during childbirth exists in Sweden and that women experience this as being subjected to 'obstetric violence' during childbirth. The phenomenon of obstetric violence is very complex. The abuse of women during childbirth might be a significant problem and quality assurance is required to secure the rights of women giving birth.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

In order to secure the rights of birthing women and to promote respectful and supportive care for new mothers, quality development programs are required.