The Contribution of Empowerment to Bioethics in the Obstetric Care Context.

This article examines the concept of empowerment in healthcare, particularly in obstetrics, and its ethical significance within bioethics. Empowerment is described as a dynamic, personal, and social process that enables pregnant people (PPs) to gain control over decisions affecting their health, countering paternalistic care and promoting patient-centered approaches. The authors link empowerment closely with feminist bioethics, especially the theory of relational autonomy, which emphasizes the social context and interdependence influencing individuals' decision-making capacities, and with Amartya Sen's capability theory, which focuses on providing individuals with the resources and freedoms necessary to realize their potential. In obstetric care, empowerment fosters respect for PPs' autonomy and dignity, contributing to improved health outcomes and ethical care practices that acknowledge the complex social and power dynamics involved in pregnancy and childbirth.