Impacts of Obstetric Violence on the Mental Health of Postpartum Women in Brazil: A Literature Review

Abstract

Pregnancy is a unique phase in a woman's life, and can be experienced in different ways: as a moment of fulfillment and joy when desired, or as a negative and uncomfortable experience when unplanned. Historically, until the 17th century, childbirth was an essentially female experience, with midwives having the greatest knowledge about the process. However, from the 18th century onwards, childbirth began to be influenced by medical practices, introducing painful and dangerous methods, such as craniotomy, marking the beginning of obstetric violence. This form of violence is defined as abusive or disrespectful treatment during childbirth and the neonatal period, including unnecessary procedures, inappropriate use of medications and humiliating comments directed at patients. In addition to the physical consequences, such as injuries to the birth canal, obstetric violence can cause serious psychological impacts, including mental disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and postpartum depression. The research, based on an integrative literature review of 16 articles, confirms that obstetric violence directly affects the mental health of postpartum women. The data reveal that dehumanizing and disrespectful practices not only harm women's physical well-being, but also leave lasting emotional scars, requiring a more humanized approach and adequate psychological support to improve the childbirth experience and promote women's mental health.