Peer-reviewed article
Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting and Obstetric Outcomes
Giulia Bonavina, Randa Kaltoud, Alessandro Ferdinando Ruffolo, Massimo Candiani, Stefano Salvatore ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how type III female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) affects pregnancy and birth outcomes. Women with type III FGM/C experienced more postpartum bleeding and required more episiotomy procedures than women with milder forms or no FGM/C. When women with type III FGM/C had a procedure to reverse the cutting before delivery, episiotomy reduced the risk of severe perineal tears.
Key points
- Type III FGM/C was associated with greater frequency of postpartum hemorrhage
- Mediolateral episiotomy was used more frequently in women with type III FGM/C
- Episiotomy reduced rates of spontaneous perineal laceration in women with type III FGM/C who underwent de-infibulation
- Episiotomy reduced third-degree and fourth-degree lacerations in this group
- Study only included uncomplicated singleton, full-term pregnancies in vertex presentation
Limitations
The study only examined uncomplicated pregnancies with optimal fetal position, so results may not apply to pregnancies with complications or other presentations. The document does not specify the sample size, setting, or provide details on long-term outcomes beyond immediate postpartum and neonatal period.
Abstract
The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the association of type III female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and de-infibulation with immediate maternal and neonatal outcomes. Women with type III FGM/C were compared with women with type I or II FGM/C or no FGM/C. Only uncomplicated singleton, full-term pregnancies with the fetus in vertex presentation were included. There was a greater frequency of postpartum hemorrhage and the use of mediolateral episiotomy in women with type III FGM/C. Mediolateral episiotomy was associated with a reduced rate of any spontaneous perineal laceration as well as third-degree and fourth-degree lacerations in women with type III FGM/C who underwent de-infibulation.