Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Public Health
• Women's Health

Background:

• Brazilian legislation restricts abortion, leading to significant public health issues including morbidity, mortality, and hospitalizations from unsafe abortions.
• Complications from induced abortions and miscarriages are managed in maternity wards, environments where obstetric violence may occur.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the intersection of biomedical technology practices with gynecological and obstetrical violence using ethnographic data.
• To understand how institutional practices in maternity settings contribute to violence against women seeking post-abortion care.

Main Methods:

• Ethnographic data collection within Brazilian maternity wards.
• Systematic analysis of three key practices: abortion complication treatment, ultrasound use, and curettage.

Main Results:

• Despite national and international standards, institutional resistance hinders the adoption of patient-centered care practices.
• The organization and materialization of ward practices, including the use and omission of specific technologies, perpetuate obstetric violence.
• Hospital practices reflect the moralization of abortion and broader societal inequalities related to economics, race, and gender.

Conclusions:

• Biomedical technology practices are symbolically and situationally shaped, potentially serving as tools for violence.
• The current model of post-abortion care requires review to mitigate the reproduction of obstetric violence.
• Addressing systemic inequalities is essential for improving care within and beyond institutional settings.