General Background – Disrespect and Abuse/Mistreatment and Respectful Maternity Care

Summary

The term “disrespect and abuse” was born of a literature review in 2010, while the term “mistreatment” is the more recent term used by the WHO. Respectful maternity care (RMC) is not only the absence of disrespect and abuse but also the presence of a positive, supportive, and nurturing environment in which women can give birth.