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code class=”asciimath”>help with this introduction Childbirth is often described as one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences in a woman’s life. However, not all women remember it as positive or empowering. For some, the care they receive during pregnancy, labour, and after birth can feel disempowering, dismissive, or even traumatic. In recent years, there has been growing attention within research and practice to better understand these negative experiences and the systems that allow them to occur. Within academic writing, three main terms have emerged to describe this social phenomenon of violence and abuse in maternity care: “disrespect and abuse,” “mistreatment during childbirth,” and “obstetric violence” (Savage & Castro, 2017). Although these terms differ in origin and meaning, they share a common focus on the violation of women’s dignity, autonomy, and bodily integrity in healthcare environments that should instead provide safety and support.The term Obstetric Violence (OV) was first recognised in the Venezuelan Organic Law on the Right of Women to a Life Free of Violence (2007), where it is defined as a dehumanising, physically an(d)/(o)r mentally abusive, and intrusive experience during childbirth (Mena-Tudela et al., 2020). This definition makes clear that obstetric violence is not always the result of deliberate harm or overt aggression. It can also appear in subtle and often normalised ways – for example, when a woman’s wishes are ignored, when procedures are carried out without consent, or when communication is dismissive or controlling. OV therefore highlights that harm can arise not just from individual actions but also from broader systemic, institutional, and cultural practices within maternity services.Awareness of obstetric violence as a global issue has grown rapidly in the last decade. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2015) has called for the prioritisation, evaluation, and elimination of such violence during childbirth, urging health systems to take the issue seriously. This reflects a wider understanding that good maternity care cannot be measured by medical outcomes alone. Care must also promote a sense of safety, trust, and agency for the women receiving it. When these elements are missing, the impact can be lasting and deeply personal. Women may experience trauma, feelings of violation, difficulty bonding with their baby, or fear of future pregnancies. These consequences show that obstetric violence is not only an ethical concern but a significant public health issue as well.The decision to explore the question, “How do women experience obstetric violence in maternity care settings?” arises from the values that underpin midwifery practice. Midwifery is based on partnership, compassion, and respect for women’s autonomy through informed choice. Informed consent is central to this relationship-it is not merely a legal formality, but a vital expression of trust and respect. When consent is rushed, assumed, or ignored, women can