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Description
Obstetric violence is an invisible institutionalized form of violence that affects women, their children and indirectly society in general. The maternity care system places great emphasis on the medical setting and procedures and neglects the individual needs of women. This leads to contributing to this form of violence. Obstetric violence is defined as a gender-based form of violence in the European Parliament Resolution of 24 June 2021 on the state of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU in the field of maternity care. The project responds to the growing interest of women in the continuous care of midwives, providing expertise as well as an individual, safe and respectful approach. According to research, continuous midwife-led care for a healthy woman and her child is safe and efficient. Making the care of midwives accessible and continuous is one of the new program goals of the Czech government.
The project will begin with mapping stakeholders and creating the Midwifery Alliance, bringing together organizations, institutions and supporters of midwifery. We will analyze existing principles and guidelines of care at the national and international levels. We will agree on the basic principles of midwifery and define care so that it leads to the prevention and solution of obstetric violence.
We will map the needs of women with overlap into the needs of migrant women. Through the awareness campaign, we will acquaint the public with the presence of obstetric violence, its prevention and possible solutions. We will operate a helpline of midwives, where we will respond to the individual requirements of women. We will create a database of frequently asked questions and answers and a database of therapeutic assistance in various languages. Through educational activities, we will train midwives and other professionals so that they can provide respectful, safe and highly individualized care.
We will implement the project throughout the Czech Republic.
Summary of project results
The project addressed several ways to enhance women''s positive experience of childbirth. First raising women''s awareness of how to achieve a positive birth experience. Second providing tools for self-care and communication support for health professionals. For example, project promoter struggled with the fact that the term "obstetric violence "was not positively accepted when the project started.
The Midwifery Alliance was formed, an association of major stakeholders in maternity care who were involved in the development of the Memorandum of Care. Project promoter published an Analysis of Guidelines and developed Principles of Care. Project promoter answered 248 questions on the Give birth in Peace helpline, which also has foreign language versions (AN,RU,UA), published a total of 22 FAQs on the website and a database of psychotherapeutic help. Project promoter published a professional publication on the issue of obstetric violence, organized 3 seminars and 3 training courses. In the campaign project promoter created 30 infographics towards both the general and professional public. Through the campaign project promoter reached over 830 thousand people. A press conference was held. A respectful and professional source of information supported women in making informed decisions about their healthcare choices. Health professionals received informational and psychological support.
Project contributed to promotion of self-esteem, competence and self-confidence of women (over 830,000 people) and promotion of self-care and psychohygiene among healthcare professionals (almost 2000 people). Project emphasized the correct form of informed consent, elimination of obstetric violence (over 40 healthcare professionals). Alliance of Midwifery multidisciplinary connected the midwifery field and influenced e.g. the creation of the Concept of Midwifery.