An: Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider Federal Department of Home Affairs (EDI), Mr. Felix Gutzwiller, President of Prio.Swiss, Swiss Health Insurance Association
Stop Coercion and Violence During Birth!
We call for maternity care that is based on respect, dignity, and evidence-based practice — free from coercion and violence.
1. Independent and Fair Recognition of Doulas
The federal government shall establish transparent and uniform criteria for the recognition of doulas and their coverage by health insurance. This ensures that doulas are accessible to all women in Switzerland. As neutral companions during birth, doulas support women independently of medical staff and make a proven contribution to respectful and non-violent birth care.
2. Mandatory Education on Rights and Interventions
Every woman must be clearly and understandably informed — both in consultation and in writing — about her rights, possible interventions, and alternatives before giving birth. This information must be patient-friendly and available in all national languages.
3. Mandatory and Continuous Training for Medical Staff
Doctors, midwives, and nurses shall receive regular compulsory training in respectful communication, trauma prevention, and non-violence in obstetric care. In addition, accompanying out-of-hospital births (home or birth center) should be an integral part of medical and midwifery education. Such experience fosters a deeper understanding of the physiological birth process without routine interventions and strengthens the value of self-determined, low-intervention birth.
4. Transparent Quality Controlling in Birth Facilities
Hospitals and birth centers must regularly collect data on birth interventions, patient satisfaction, and complaints — and make them publicly accessible. Only through transparency can the quality of maternity care be sustainably improved.
5. Legal Ban on Outdated and Risky Practices
Outdated obstetric practices such as the Kristeller maneuver — often experienced as traumatic by mothers and scientifically shown to carry risks — should be legally prohibited to protect the physical and mental integrity of women and newborns during birth.
6. Support for Women Affected by Violence in Maternity Care
The federal government shall finance low-threshold, free-of-charge counseling centers that comprehensively support women who have experienced violence during birth — psychologically, physically, and, if necessary, financially. These centers should receive and investigate complaints against medical personnel (doctors, midwives, etc.) independently and, upon request, accompany affected women in legal proceedings. They must be equipped with sufficient resources to support legal representation and initiate proceedings when necessary.
Warum ist das wichtig?
One in four women in Switzerland experiences some form of psychological or physical violence during childbirth. This must change - now.
According to a study by the Bern University of Applied Sciences (1), 25% of birthing women report coercion, assault, or lack of informed consent in the delivery room. Many suffer deep emotional wounds; some develop postpartum depression or even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Scientific evidence also shows that unnecessary medical interventions increase the risk of violence during childbirth.
The World Health Organization (WHO) (2) has long warned that cesarean sections are performed too frequently and often without medical necessity. The WHO recommends a maximum cesarean rate of around 15%, while in Switzerland it is currently over 33% — and rising.
The high number of labor inductions is equally concerning: one in four women in Switzerland is induced, often without a clear medical indication. This practice frequently leads to intervention-heavy births with higher complication risks for mother and child. The latest data from the Federal Office of Statistics (3) confirm this trend.
A proven method to reduce unnecessary interventions is continuous support from a doula or another trusted, non-medical person. An international study across 17 countries (4) shows:
According to a study by the Bern University of Applied Sciences (1), 25% of birthing women report coercion, assault, or lack of informed consent in the delivery room. Many suffer deep emotional wounds; some develop postpartum depression or even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Scientific evidence also shows that unnecessary medical interventions increase the risk of violence during childbirth.
The World Health Organization (WHO) (2) has long warned that cesarean sections are performed too frequently and often without medical necessity. The WHO recommends a maximum cesarean rate of around 15%, while in Switzerland it is currently over 33% — and rising.
The high number of labor inductions is equally concerning: one in four women in Switzerland is induced, often without a clear medical indication. This practice frequently leads to intervention-heavy births with higher complication risks for mother and child. The latest data from the Federal Office of Statistics (3) confirm this trend.
A proven method to reduce unnecessary interventions is continuous support from a doula or another trusted, non-medical person. An international study across 17 countries (4) shows:
- 50% fewer cesareans
- 41% fewer vacuum or forceps deliveries
- 39% less use of labor-inducing drugs
- 60% less demand for epidurals
- 28% less use of pain medication overall
At the same time, women report significantly more positive birth experiences.
Birth affects us all - not just mothers. How babies are born shapes fundamental trust, family health, and the very fabric of our society (5).
Traumatic birth experiences can burden family life, strain relationships, and make it harder for parents to bond with their child.
It’s not just about physical integrity - but also about mental health. A respectful, self-determined birth without unnecessary interventions enhances emotional well-being and protects against postpartum depression, which often affects the entire family system (6).
Moreover, good, low-intervention maternity care is not only humane - it’s economically sound. Fewer unnecessary cesareans, fewer complications, and healthier mothers mean lower healthcare costs in the long term (7/8).
By Signing, You Demand:
- A national commitment against violence in childbirth
- 1:1 support during labor for every woman
- Transparent communication and consent before every intervention
- Trauma-informed training for all maternity care professionals
- Structural change in maternity care toward women-centered, self-determined, and informed births
Every voice matters. Every birth matters. Your signature can change lives.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.
In partnership with:
Hannah Ladda, Doula & Co-Founder, Womb Expansion Doula Training
Michèle Stratmann, Founder, malea lin Doula School & Doula Network Switzerland
Dr. med. Dorin Ritzmann, Specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, FMH
Norina Wartmann, Homebirth and Attending Midwife
Monika Di Benedetto, Founder, Association for Violence-Free Maternity Care
Sources:
(Some sources are not available in English)
- Bern University of Applied Sciences (2020): “One in four women experiences informal coercion during childbirth.”
- WHO Statement (2015): “Cesarean sections should only be performed when medically necessary.”
- Federal Office of Statistics (2023): “30% more births occur on weekdays than on weekends.”
- Cochrane Collaboration (2017): “Continuous support for women during childbirth – Systematic Review across 17 countries.”
- Meta-Analysis (2023): “Birth-related PTSD and its link to the mother–child relationship.”
- Hollins-Martin & Fleming (2021): “Correlation between birth experience and risk of postpartum depression.”
- Camacho E. M. et al. (2018): “Cost-benefit analysis of measures against perinatal anxiety and depression.”
- Verbeke E. et al. (2022): “Cost-effectiveness of mental health interventions during and after pregnancy – Systematic Review.”
- Gina’s personal experience of childbirth