Since 2004, during the month of May the World Respected Childbirth Week has taken place in several countries , an initiative created by the French Association for Respected Childbirth and promoted by UNICEF, whose objective is to raise the voice and generate awareness so that the birth be considered a natural process again, in which the rights of mother and baby are respected.
Each year a different motto is used to celebrate it and organize events that help achieve the goal that every woman in the world has a respected birth, and on that occasion, the motto of the year is “My decision must be respected .”
What is a respected childbirth
When we speak of a respected or humanized birth, we refer to giving each mother and baby a birth process in which the decisions, well-being and health of both are privileged as protagonists , within a natural and respectful environment.
Among the things that are sought to achieve by demanding a respected delivery for mother and baby, is to eliminate obstetric violence and reduce the number of unnecessary surgeries such as episiotomies , following the recommendations of the World Health Organization for a positive birth experience.
Giving birth in times of coronavirus
The current edition of World Respected Childbirth Week comes at one of the most difficult moments humanity is going through : in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced us to completely change our rhythm of life, but also has come to modify the delivery protocols.
For example, in several Spanish hospitals the current protocol due to this crisis is committed to keeping mothers separated from babies when they have tested positive for Covid-19 , something that eliminates the opportunity to do the widely recommended skin-to-skin and the stay of the baby with the mother after delivery.
Another example was the measure announced by the Valencian Community by prohibiting the accompaniment of the father during childbirth, something that was later rectified due to the protests of the midwives, who sought to defend this right of each woman.
Although these are undoubtedly difficult times, it is important to continue seeking the WHO indications so that mothers have a respected delivery, following the necessary preventive measures but without neglecting the rights of mother and baby .
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