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RIO DE JANEIRO – Dr. Anna Beatriz Herief, an obstetrician known widely on social media for advocating “humanized childbirth,” has had her medical license suspended by the Regional Medical Council of Rio de Janeiro (CREMERJ) following multiple allegations of obstetric violence. Known as Bia Herief to her nearly 250,000 online followers, the doctor who championed natural birth and questioned routine cesarean sections is now facing accusations that starkly contrast her public image.
Dr. Herief’s practice, often costing upwards of R$20,000 (Brazilian Reais) including her handpicked team, attracted many patients through her online presence. However, several former patients have come forward alleging traumatic and harmful experiences under her care.
Fantástico news outlet spoke with four mothers who shared harrowing accounts:
- Isadora, a doctor herself, described a grueling five-day labor where she later discovered from medical records that Dr. Herief administered oxytocin to intensify contractions without her consent, despite Isadora’s pleas for pain relief and a C-section. “While I was there asking for help… she was there doing what was intensifying my pain,” Isadora stated. Dr. Herief denied administering medication without consent.
- Roberta, a nutritionist, suffered severe, lasting pain after a C-section performed by Dr. Herief’s team. A subsequent CT scan revealed a surgical error: her ureter (the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder) had been sutured to an artery. “I feel pain and it’s something I’ll carry with me forever,” Roberta said. An independent medical expert hired by her defense concluded the procedure showed evidence of delay, significant blood loss, surgical error, negligence, recklessness, and incompetence.
- Larissa, facing a high-risk pregnancy with preeclampsia, endured a twelve-hour labor. Records indicate Dr. Herief attempted to use a vacuum extractor seven times to deliver the baby, exceeding the medically recommended maximum of three attempts. Dr. Herief disputes this, claiming she only tried “three or four times.” A C-section was eventually performed when the baby’s heartbeat slowed. Her son, Louie, was stillborn and required resuscitation. Now one year old, his future remains uncertain due to the traumatic birth. “I realized something had gone terribly wrong because I saw the doctors screaming for adrenaline,” Larissa recalled.
- Bianca, who had high blood pressure, alleges Dr. Herief advised her via WhatsApp message to induce labor at 35 weeks. Upon hospital admission, Bianca claims the doctor told her to lie about her condition to avoid being sent to the ICU. Dr. Herief denies this claim, though Bianca reportedly showed the message exchange to a reporter. During labor, the baby’s heartbeat was lost. Bianca tragically stated, “It cost my son his life.”
In response to these and potentially other complaints, CREMERJ suspended Dr. Herief’s license last year for six months. This suspension was renewed last Tuesday for an additional six months as proceedings that could lead to the permanent revocation of her license continue.
Meeting with Fantástico reporters at her project headquarters, Casa Pitanga, Dr. Herief denied the allegations. Her lawyer, Matheus Chiocheta, stated, “There is no mention of any aspect of negligence or imprudence in the expert assessment that could possibly constitute any carelessness on the part of the doctor…”
The National Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations continues to emphasize that natural birth is generally the safest and most recommended option for the majority of pregnancies. The allegations against Dr. Herief, however, highlight the devastating consequences when patient trust is allegedly broken and standards of care are reportedly compromised.
Disclaimer: This news article is based solely on the information provided in the source text. It summarizes allegations, responses, and reported consequences. Further investigation and legal proceedings may reveal additional details or outcomes.
https://g1.globo.com/fantastico/noticia/2025/04/20/mulheres-relatam-historias-de-violencia-em-partos-realizados-por-medica-influencer-custou-a-vida-do-meu-filho.ghtml
