Episiotomy is the most common surgical procedure in modern obstetrics, and it must be carried out with informed consent of the woman. The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge and participation of women in obstetrics decisions during childbirth. A qualitative study was done using women submitted to episiotomy during childbirth as social actors in a Hospital School in Minas Gerais. Participant observation and interviews were the methods used for collecting data. From the analysis of the 16 interviews, we were able to prove that women present a lack of knowledge related to the surgery . The participant observation demonstrated that episiotomy was carried out without information nor previous authorization of the participants of the study. This reveals a relation of authority exerted from the health professionals during childbirth. The study revealed that the routine practice of episiotomy represents the power exerted by health professionals towards the feminine body, taking away the woman's right to decide.
Episiotomy; Women's health; Power (Psychology)