Obstetric racism suffered by black women in prenatal and childbirth care: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: To describe the obstetric racism suffered by black women as from their perceptions and experiences in prenatal and childbirth care. Method: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted from February to May 2021. The participants were 22 black women who lived in the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre, and Salvador, who had a natural birth or cesarean section during the first year of the COVID-19. The semi-structured interviews were conducted via video conference and/or video call. These women were recruited through social networks. Thematic Analysis and references on racism in obstetric care guided the analytical process. Results: the participants suffered violence, mistreatment, negligence, racial discrimination, and prejudice during prenatal and childbirth care, causing negative experiences with attendance in public and private services. The black women adopted strategies in the face of obstetric racism: seeking maternity hospitals other than the reference units, changing the health professional and/or service of private health insurance, and hiring professionals for childbirth. Conclusion: obstetric racism manifests itself as violence, discrimination, and prejudice suffered by black women during prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care. The confrontation of racism requires collective and collaborative actions from political, healthcare, professional, and educational health.