Women across the world are mistreated during childbirth. Respect in childbirth is a human right but women continue to endure violence, abuse and substandard care during childbirth.

A study recently published in Lancet on facility-based childbirth in four countries, found that one in three women had experienced mistreatment during childbirth. This issue affects not only the four studied countries or the poorest nations of the world, but has been observed in 114 countries around the world, making this issue a global epidemic.

The Lancet study revealed that women who were younger and less educated were most at risk. This suggested there were inequalities in how women are treated during childbirth. The most common mistreatment during childbirth were physical and verbal abuse, non-consented care and detainment. The researchers suggested that mistreatment during childbirth can violate human rights.

When asked what women want, they overwhelmingly stated they wanted to be treated with respect and compassion while seeking and receiving healthcare.

Many in Canada may believe we are isolated from this concern with our state-run and funded healthcare system. Many healthcare and medical professionals use medical interventions without obtaining proper informed consent. The disregard for a woman’s right to refuse certain treatments, or at the least choose which treatment options are right for her, is more common than it should be.

Total Wellness supports all women's right to choose their healthcare provider, to obtain the requisite information from qualified healthcare professionals, to provide their informed consent to treatment, to have that choice heard and followed, and to be respected in all healthcare settings. 

If you would like to discuss your fertility with one of our health professionals, including health and lifestyle concerns, please click below or call us at 416-532-9094.