• Respectful maternity care (RMC) is a well described, common-sense approach for improving person-centered and equitable intrapartum and postpartum care, but it lacks a standard definition, clear measurement method, or evidence of effectiveness.
• Two types of RMC frameworks described in the literature based on either 1) Disrespect and Abuse (D&A) or 2) Rights-Based, have overlapping themes with components that reflect efforts to implement metrics to eliminate practices identified as disrespect or abuse, and initiatives to work toward healthcare systems and settings that focus on respectful care. Common themes include: freedom from abuse; consent; privacy; dignity; communication; safety; and justice.

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