The Impact of Obstetric Violence on Women's Health: Emotional Aspects and the Role of Nursing in Comprehensive Care

Abstract

Obstetric violence is a serious violation of women's human rights, characterized by abusive, disrespectful or negligent practices during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of obstetric violence on women's health, with an emphasis on the emotional and psychological damage caused by these experiences and the role of nursing in promoting humanized obstetric care. This is a bibliographic review developed by searching SciELO, LILACS, PubMed and Google Scholar, using descriptors such as "obstetric violence", "women's health", "mental health" and "humanized care", focusing on publications from the last five years. The results show that obstetric violence is still recurrent in Brazil, especially among black, young and low-income women, revealing a scenario of inequality and vulnerability. The consequences go beyond physical damage, reaching the emotional sphere and potentially triggering disorders such as postpartum depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, as well as damaging the
mother-infant bond. It also highlighted the importance of obstetric nurses, who play a fundamental role in preventing violence, through qualified listening, respect for women's autonomy and the promotion of humanized practices. The conclusion is that there is a need to strengthen public policies, continuous professional training and the encouragement of studies on the subject, with a view to eradicating this form of violence and consolidating obstetric care based on respect, equity and women's dignity.