The effect of intrapartum deinfibulation on obstetric outcomes and
postpartum sexual function in pregnant women with Type 3 Female Genital
Mutilation/Cutting
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to compare the labor performance,
complications and postpartum sexual function of Type 3 Female Genital
Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) pregnant women undergoing deinfibulation with
Type 3 FGM/C patients without deinfibulation. Design:
Prospective cohort study Setting: Sudan-Turkish Training and
Research Hospital Population: Each group consisted of 150
pregnant women diagnosed with Type 3 FGM/C (with and without
deinfibulation). Methods: Type 3 FGM/C patients who underwent
deinfibulation were compared with Type 3 FGM/C patients who did not
undergo deinfibulation in terms of age, parity, obstetric and neonatal
outcomes and FSFI scores at three months. Main Outcome
Measures: The labor performance, complications and postpartum sexual
function of Type 3 FGM/C pregnant women undergoing deinfibulation with
Type 3 FGM/C patients without deinfibulation. Results: In our
homogeneous Type 3 FGM/C group mainly consisting of primiparous women,
it was found that more episiotomy procedures were performed, the second
stage of labor was significantly prolonged, and perineal damage was more
in the group without deinfibulation. In addition, postpartum hemorrhage
and hospitalization of mother and baby were longer in the group without
deinfibulation. In the second part of our study, in which we compared
the FSFI scores of deinfibulation in the episiotomized subgroup, higher
scores were found in all scores in the deinfibulation group.
Conclusion: Type 3 FGM/C is definitely associated with poor
obstetric and sexual outcomes. Funding information: The authors
declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the
preparation of this manuscript.