In statements made today, the President of the Order of Doctors disclosed that the organization has begun meetings with parliamentary parties and has submitted a proposed legislative bill to amend law no. 33/2025, effective since April 1st, aiming to create “a more inclusive law” than what is perceived in the current legislation.
Carlos Cortes criticized the current law as “punitive,” imposing “the burden on healthcare professionals,” particularly obstetricians and care providers.
“Our proposal reflects a completely different approach. It encourages dialogue and rigorous, scientific analysis of problems, and then, if necessary, action,” he explained.
The President emphasized that the Order’s proposal primarily aims for “truth and transparency,” suggesting the need for a diagnostic study to enable a rigorous assessment of the current state of pregnancy and childbirth healthcare.
He recalled that the previous legislation required the Directorate-General for Health to produce an annual report on pregnancy care, which never occurred. Without these data, he argued, public perception remains based on isolated cases rather than the daily reality of maternity care.
The Order also proposes the creation of the National Council for Pregnancy and Perinatal Care Protection, including representatives from pregnancy and childbirth rights associations, the Orders of Doctors and Nurses, the Directorate-General for Health, the Government, and the Assembly of the Republic.
The aim, he explained, is to gather these entities “in a frank, transparent, serious, honest, and evidence-based manner” to analyze the national situation and, if necessary, take measures concerning healthcare providers or the professionals themselves.
The council’s functions will include awareness and information campaigns, drafting recommendations based on annual studies conducted by competent entities, and producing an annual report on pregnant women’s satisfaction.
The Order’s proposal also suggests enhancing mental health support in the event of a negative pregnancy or childbirth experience, along with what it considers “absolutely essential” labor measures.
These include mandatory three-day leave for pregnant women before the expected due date and extending the father’s right to accompany prenatal appointments beyond the current limit of three absences.
It also advocates simplifying breastfeeding leave procedures to a declaration on the mother’s honor beyond the child’s second year of life.
The President highlighted that the Order’s document “goes further” than the projects being discussed in the Assembly of the Republic, seeking to protect and grant more rights to pregnant women, focusing on their well-being and promoting integration between women and professionals, unlike the current law, “which has created a rift between pregnant women and healthcare professionals.”
According to the President, the obstetric violence law has “demotivated many doctors,” prompting some to leave the National Health Service, particularly obstetricians contemplating continuing their roles post-retirement.
“An extremely negative stigma was created, especially against obstetricians, very unjustly, because many of the reports do not reflect” reality, he lamented.
However, he noted that if such cases occur, which the Order considers “isolated cases,” there should be responses at the level of hospitals, the judicial system, and, in the most severe cases, within the Order itself.
The President reiterated that the Order rejects “the expression of obstetric violence,” considering it outdated and stigmatizing, and proposes terms more in line with the World Health Organization, such as “negative pregnancy and childbirth experiences” or “unjustified procedures.”
