Dignified motherhood? Women experiences of abusive treatment and condemned care during childbirth in the health facilities of urban India

Background India has progressed in reducing maternal mortality in the last decade, indicating the impact of several health programs launched by the government. However, recent evidence indicates that the quality of care and healthcare providers’ behavior during delivery in health facilities is suboptimal in government health facilities. The current study aims to examine the prevalence of various mistreatment and disrespect practices during childbirth in health facilities, and further study explores the women’s experiences with a qualitative approach. Methods The study used a community-based cross-sectional design with a mixed-method approach. Both quantitative and qualitative data have been collected from the recently delivered mothers. Using a simple random sampling method recruited 260 recently delivered women from low-income communities in Pune city India. The qualitative data from 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with women who reported experiences of disrespect and mistreatment during childbirth. Results The quantitative result shows that 16.5% of respondents reported physical abuse, 11.9%. Abandonment of care, 35.9% non-consented care, more than half 67% reported condemned care, and 69% reported non-dignified care. Qualitative results also confirm the inhumane practices of healthcare providers during childbirth. Conclusions The study reveals that the non-dignified and disrespectful behaviour with physical abuse by the healthcare workers contributes to women’s higher mental and emotional instability, affecting the mother and child’s health.