We learned about the existence of mistreatment during maternity care in the most terrible way.

Then, we learned about every thinkable tactic of hospitals to justify their actions, obscure accountability and normalize the harm.

Where this happens, the hospital prefers to protect institutional liability and reputation rather than to acknowledge patient harm.

Mothers mistreated during maternity care on the other hand often suffer in silence — physically, emotionally, psychologically, socially, and economically, thinking they are alone.

And, they do not suffer only in that moment — the harms ripple across bodies, minds, families, and communities.

Often for many years, often lifelong.

All this can be avoided, yet maternity care mistreatment persists because of systemic power imbalances, and a healthcare culture that too frequently devalues pregnant mothers.

We believe that it is now time for specific enforceable legal protections for pregnant and postpartum mothers.