Childbirth and pregnancy in prison: social belonging and vulnerabilities

Pregnancy and childbirth in prison can intensify power relationships and mechanisms that encourage inequality in care provided to women and children, with adverse consequences for the lives of both. This issue gave rise to research to understand women’s experiences of pregnancy and childbirth in prison. Method: working from theoretical perspectives that address intersections among race, gender and social class, this qualitative study was conducted by interviewing women who had left a penitentiary in southern Brazil. The participants, mostly young, black women, reported being subjected to situations of violence from the first approach by the police. Once deprived of their freedom, they were subjected to humiliation, deficient access to health, as well as psychological and moral violence. The experience of childbirth was permeated by institutional violence and feelings of loneliness and helplessness. Noncompliance with legal provisions, reproduction of violence in relations with security agents and systematic neglect of social and health needs are additional effects of the gender, race and social class oppressions that affect pregnant women and nursing mothers in prison.

Key words:
Women; Violence; Prisons; Maternal health