Search and read at least one article on Respectful Maternity Care and share readings by replying in this discussion forum.
Reading the article on Achieving Inclusive and Respectful Maternity Care made me realize the importance of having access to quality maternal and newborn care that ensures equitable and dignified healthcare for women. Studies have shown that women from low and middle-income countries go through many forms of mistreatment during facility-based childbirth. Respondents have reported encounters with unfriendly staff, being left alone while in labor, experiencing interventions without their consent, lack of privacy, etc. Some even go through physical abuse (i.e., obstetric slap during labor) in an attempt to help the woman deliver the baby, however, there are no known benefits of this approach. These disrespectful behaviors are also evident in high-income countries. Women in Australia are reportedly being coerced to comply with the interventions or the well-being of the baby will be compromised.
Further examples can be seen in the typology that the researchers developed on the mistreatment of women during childbirth. Such actions discourage women from seeking professional help, consequently leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates. What is even more ironic is that the majority of the healthcare workers that participated in the study recognize these forms of abuse and are aware that it is a contributing factor as to why women do not go to health facilities. We must end the notion that mistreatment is a norm during labor and birth. As such, policies influenced by global norms and standards must be implemented at all health institutions to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care.
As healthcare providers, it is important that we meet the standard of respectful and inclusive maternal care in order to establish rapport among our patients and expect good outcomes and positive childbirth experiences for the mother after the provision of interventions. The World Health Organization has recommended a series of actions to achieve this vision:
-
Greater support from governments and development partners for research and action on disrespect and abuse
-
Initiate, support, and sustain programs designed to improve the quality of maternal health care, with a strong focus on respectful care as an essential component of quality care
-
Emphasizing the rights of women to dignified, respectful health care throughout pregnancy and childbirth
-
Generating data related to respectful and disrespectful care practices, systems of accountability, and meaningful professional support are required
-
Involve all stakeholders, including women, in efforts to improve quality of care and eliminate disrespectful and abusive practices
The article has also emphasized the need to care for the primary maternal and newborn caregivers, including midwives, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers. It is fundamental to ensure that the workforce is appropriately trained, fairly compensated, respected, and supervised for them to be able to provide kind, respectful, inclusive, and quality care.
The goal of inclusive and respectful maternity care is not only limited to clinical safety —it also ensures that the woman feels emotionally and psychologically safe. All women deserve to receive care that is free of discrimination and abuse, and as healthcare workers, it is our responsibility to make this experience possible for them.
Reference:
Flenady, V. (2021). Achieving Inclusive and Respectful Maternity Care. Elements of Professional Care and Support Before, During and After Pregnancy, 3. doi:10.3843/GLOWM.411763