Incomplete Professionalization of Midwives as a Risk Factor for Obstetric Violence. Insights from Southern Italy

This chapter examines the midwifery profession in Italy, highlighting key challenges such as limited autonomy, precarious employment, insufficient training, and lack of social recognition. Based on indepth interviews with midwives in Campania (Southern Italy), the study reveals that the process of professionalization for midwifery in Italy remains incomplete. This persistent fragility undermines the implementation of the midwifery model of care, widely recognized as the gold standard for uncomplicated births. We argue that poor working conditions indirectly contribute to obstetric violence, as systemic pressures and professional constraints can negatively impact care quality. By foregrounding the role of care providers and professional ethics, this analysis shifts the lens of obstetric violence studies—traditionally focused on maternal experiences—toward the structural and professional dimensions of maternity care, addressing a critical gap in current literature.