The obstetric nursing residents’ view on obstetric violence in institutions

Abstract

This article aims to understand the obstetric nursing residents’ perception of obstetric violence in a reference maternity hospital in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte. It is a descriptive, exploratory, and qualitative study. Data was collected through a focus group. Bardin’s content analysis was used to analyze data, from which three categories emerged: inadequate birth assistance conducts; unnecessary procedures with educational and/or iatrogenic purposes; and gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic class bias. The study indicates that residents acknowledge obstetric violence in the educational process and its repercussions to women. It also evidences the pressing need for institutional investment in spaces that foster discussions on obstetric violence.