Experiences of women and health professionals in perinatal loss and abortion: vulnerability, obstetric violence, and decision-making (VULVIDE)
In this study, we aim to delve into the complexity of the ethical terrain related to early pregnancy loss (that which occurs before fetal viability). Both women and healthcare professionals are exposed to situations of great vulnerability. We seek a rigorous interdisciplinary approach with an initial empirical exploration that considers contributions from bioethics, sociology, and anthropology, along with those from classical obstetrics and its concepts. We will approach the lived and experiential reality of women, as well as the moral experience of healthcare professionals providing them with care. However, we do not want to overlook academics, groups and organizations whose actions focus on this field. This will lead us to a bioethical analysis of the situations presented and their consequences to determine the key elements of respectful care for the dignity and autonomy of women. Recognizing and enhancing their autonomy, we aim to identify elements of vulnerability and provide tools to prevent the stress and moral distress of healthcare professionals.
Objectives
- Explore the reality of voluntary pregnancy termination from the perspective of women.
- Investigate the realities of voluntary pregnancy terminations for medical reasons, as well as those who decide not to terminate the pregnancy despite a foetal diagnosis of foetal anomaly.
- Research the reality of situations involving abortion and/or spontaneous foetal loss from the perspective of women.
- Explore the narratives of stress or moral distress experienced by healthcare professionals who attend and care for women undergoing pregnancy termination or loss in the before mentioned situations.
- Establish a framework of knowledge, decision-making, and action that best addresses the identified needs.
- Propose an action plan for transferring results to the clinical, educational, and managerial reality involved in cases of perinatal death.