Going through the carnage: Costa Rican women's stories about obstetric violence

Abstract

This article reflects on the psychosocial impact of obstetric violence and the most common manifestations experienced by seven Costa Rican women. An exploratory-descriptive qualitative study was carried out, with a biographical narrative approach. The life stories technique was used. The main results show that obstetric violence is a palpable problem in the country's hospitals. It is highly complex and occurs at all times of care (pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum). In addition, there is a strong psychosocial impact on the lives of women when experiencing these violations of their rights and violence directed at their bodies and psyches. Obstetric violence affects subjectively, but also at the relational level. It is important to generate structural and cultural changes to reduce the naturalization of this form of violence. And, to eradicate inequality and power asymmetries at the hospital and socially.