Routine Behaviors in Birth Care that Constitute Obstetrical Violence

The study will demonstrate that some routine behaviors of hegemonic medical-obstetric practice constitute acts of gender violence according to the Organic Law on the Right of Women to a Violence-Free Life (LODMVLDV, articles No. 13 and 51). The work was carried out with birthing women attended in the obstetrical ward of the Central Hospital in Maracay, Venezuela. The research was epidemiological, analytical, cross-sectional and prospective. Population: 800 pregnant women; the sample was 160 pregnant women. Results: Unauthorized application of oxytocins, 83.3%; routine episiotomy, 75%; breast stimulation, 86.7%; post-partum uterine exploration, 97.7%. Discussion: Based on the LODMVLDV, it was shown that these routine obstetrical behaviors constitute acts of obstetrical violence, which are defined as a type of gender violence.