A growing number of women are reporting abuse by hospital staff during child birth that range from verbal, physical actions to unsanctioned medication and treatment. Often these women have little financial and social ability to demand hospitals address these reports. There are many instances where these women are met with denial and lost in the bureaucracy of the healthcare system. Several women have taken to posting on Birth Monopoly’s Obstetric Violence Stories Map an online collection of over 250 women with stories of abuse at the hands of medical professionals during childbirth. The site is also a collection of information and support for victims in conducting claims and dealing with the physical and emotional pain. Another resource created by Kimberly Seals Allers is the yelp-like app called IRTH which rates hospitals on claims and biases. A Canadian victim Kate McDonald create an online database called The Obstetric Justice Project, which was met with minimal response from one of Toronto’s largest hospitals.
Key Takeaways:
- Many women are speaking out against abuse they received from medical staff during childbirth.
- Leslie Driggers was administered drugs without her consent and subjected to painful pelvic exams.
- There has been a scarcity of lawsuits against obstetric abuse and hospitals seem indifferent to the problem.
“Left with no recourse to protest her treatment, Hoard became one of over 250 women who have posted on Birth Monopoly’s Obstetric Violence Stories Map.”
