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Women across Latin America ‘under pressure’ to have C-sections during COVID-19

Women are facing an ‘obstetric violence’ crisis made worse by the pandemic, despite laws against mistreatment and ‘abusive medicalisation’. Español

By Daniela Rea, Lydiette Carrión and Diana Cariboni
Women across Latin America ‘under pressure’ to have C-sections during COVID-19
A pregnant woman walking in a Caracas neighbourhood during the COVID-19 lockdown. | Yadira Pérez
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Women giving birth across Latin America during COVID-19 have faced increasing pressure to have caesarean sections, a new investigation by openDemocracy reveals today.

The investigation also found numerous reports of mistreatment of women in labour, bans on birth companions, and refusals from medical staff to treat women during emergencies – despite laws in many countries against ‘obstetric violence’ and “abusive medicalisation”.

Latin America already had the highest rate of C-sections in the world, accounting for around 40% of its births. In contrast, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a rate of around 15% and insists that C-sections should happen only when medically justified.

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