The concept of obstetric violence has recently gained prominence in both public and scientific discourse, despite the fact that the phenomenon it denotes – the mistreatment of birthing mothers by healthcare professionals responsible for their care – has longstanding roots. Surprisingly, scientific literature has given scant attention to the perspectives of professionals on the topic. In this article, we will explore how the category of obstetric violence has evolved through a grassroots movement of digital activism and we will examine its reception among various birth attendants: midwives, gynaecologists, anaesthesiologists. Our analysis draws on data from 32 semi-structured interviews conducted with professionals across three different birth care settings: two university hospitals, a private birthing house, an alongside birth centre. We will show how the development of the category of OV is part of a broader process of transformation of the caregiver-patient relationship.
