Social construction of obstetric violence of Tenek and Nahuatl women in Mexico

Abstract

Objective To explore the social construction of obstetric violence developed by Tenek and Nahuatl women in Mexico. Method Qualitative, socio-critical study conducted through focal groups in which were deepened the childbirth experiences lived in the period 2015-2016. Results Participation of 57 women. Through discourse analysis, it was identified that participants do not have enough information about obstetric violence and/or sexual and reproductive rights. This makes the association of their negative experiences with the legal term “obstetric violence” impossible. Most of their speeches correspond to the legal denomination of “obstetric violence”. Experiences like prolonged fasting or the use of technologies for invading their privacy were narrated like situations they perceive as violent, but have not been incorporated within the legal term. Conclusion Multiple actions against women’s human rights take place within delivery rooms. Most remain unidentified by users, since they have not socially constructed the image of obstetric violence. However, that fact does not make them less susceptible to feel attacked and denigrated during their childbirth experiences.