Publication:

Does female genital mutilation/cutting have any effect on normal birth?

Background World Health Organization’s (WHO) defines female genital mutilation (FGM) as all procedures involving the total or partial removal of female external genitalia without any medical reasons. It is estimated that about 100 million women worldwide are circumcised. After circumcision compications such as bleeding, infection, shock, menstrual irregularity, dysuria, frequent urinary tract infections, pelvic pain and difficulty in sexual intercourse occur with varying frequencies.

Methods In this article, we aimed to discuss normal vaginal delivery results of 45 term pregnant cases with 3 types of  female genital multilation/circumcision. We know that the vaginal entrance is closed as a result of adhesions in the genital area due to circumcision and secondary complications may develop.

Results The mean age of 45 patients included in the study was 26.2±8.78 years. Considering the postpartum complications, bilateral labial tissue ruptures in 15 cases, followed by vaginal hematoma in 9 cases, anal sphincter damage in 11 cases, deep episiotomy tears in 8 cases, periurethral tears in 8 cases, deep cervical tears in 8 cases, vulvar epidermoid cyst ruptures in 4 cases and 4 cases. perineal body ruptures were seen in 4 cases, vulvar hematoma in 4 cases, and vaginal mucosal damage in 9 cases.

Conclusions It has been shown once again that FGM/C is a method that completely changes the female vaginal anatomy and has very serious delivery complications. It is obvious that serious educations and studies need to be done in the countries where this method is applied.