Obstetric Racism: An Intersectional Analysis of Racial Dynamics in the Case of a Brazilian Black Woman in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric racism (OR), as an intersection between institutional violence and medical racism, exposes inequalities of gender, race, and nationality, revealing the systematic discrimination faced by Black women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. These discriminatory practices are reflected in dehumanizing attitudes, negligence, and disregard for the needs of Black women, aggravating the impacts of obstetric violence. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the subjective experience of OR experienced by a Black Brazilian woman in the context of Portugal's National Health Service (NHS). METHODS: Based on an intersectional feminist epistemology and a social constructionist approach. The research, which is qualitative and exploratory, adopts a case study approach to understand complex social phenomena and their manifestation in the specific context of maternal care. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results indicate that OR in the NHS manifests itself in various ways, jeopardizing access to adequate care and the experience of motherhood for Black women. The analysis highlights that the phenomenon goes beyond individual attitudes and is the result of colonial, historical, and cultural structures that perpetuate the marginalization of Black bodies, limiting access to equitable reproductive care. The study emphasizes the urgency of public policies and health practices that promote a more humanized and inclusive approach.