20 Per Cent of US Women Report Mistreatment: A study found that 20% of U.S. women have experienced mistreatment during childbirth. This concerns medical experts about maternity care. The study surveyed 2,402 women and found differences based on race and health. 30% of mistreated individuals were black, 29% were Hispanic, 28% lacked insurance, and 26% had state insurance. Medical experts say the study shows health differences and calls for changes in maternity care.
Dr. Marc Siegel of NYU Langone Medical Center said the results should be taken seriously. He said that, despite the subjective nature of the poll, it raises important issues like neglect, privacy, and unequal treatment based on race and insurance. Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon, stated that the results contradict a doctor’s duty to treat all patients equally, with more complaints from minorities or those with insufficient insurance.
The study reveals that abuse can manifest in various ways, including neglecting assistance, scolding, threatening to halt treatment, or administering unwanted treatments. Dr. Leslie Farrington, a former OB-GYN with 38+ years of experience, expected the study’s results, including the findings on race. Farrington, from the Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood, stated that around one-third of African Americans report unfair treatment in healthcare, including during childbirth.
Dr. Shana Johnson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, criticized the study as “low-quality” due to low response rate and recall bias. Still, she acknowledged that healthcare workers often face challenging conditions, particularly in underserved rural areas.
The study discussed insurance’s impact on care quality. Dr. Osborn noted that patient insurance status, particularly government-funded insurance, could skew the results due to lower payment rates than Medicare allowances. He said it wouldn’t surprise him if this trend were common in other medical areas.
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Farrington seeks a “major change” in maternity care. She criticizes a system that prioritizes “profits over people.” She urged women to take control of their birthing experiences, advising them to confront disrespectful doctors and persistently seek answers until satisfied.
Dr. Wanda Barfield from the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health emphasized the poll’s significance despite its issues. Barfield mentioned a 2019 study showing 17% mistreatment of women. He said the report emphasizes the need to improve maternity care at the system level.
The study has sparked discussions among health professionals about the need for systemic changes in U.S. maternity care, including improved treatment and reduced disparities based on race and income.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Is 1 in 5 moms belittled abused or ignored during pregnancy or birth CDC reports?
A recent CDC Vital Signs report revealed that 20% of women surveyed experienced mistreatment during their pregnancy and delivery care. This means that one in every 5 women reported facing mistreatment while receiving maternity care.
Is one in five women feel mistreated during maternity care?
The Vital Signs report revealed that 20% of women surveyed encountered mistreatment during their maternity care. The incidence of mistreatment was even greater for specific demographics. Among the women who reported mistreatment, 30% were Black, 29% were Hispanic, and 27% were multiracial.
How many women experience pregnancy discrimination?
Findings revealed that nearly a quarter (23.9%) of participants faced discrimination during their pregnancies. After accounting for potential factors, it was clear that pregnancy discrimination had a strong link to postpartum depressive symptoms (coefficient 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.652.88).
How many pregnant women are abused each year?
Over 320,000 women experience partner abuse while pregnant yearly. Abuse takes many forms, such as emotional pain caused by name-calling or unjust blame.