Female genital mutilation (FGM), often called female circumcision, is a non-therapeutic procedure, performed in many parts of the world for cultural or religious reasons.
While it is illegal to perform FGM in the United States, some experts suggest that the incidence of female circumcision is rising as more immigrants from countries in Africa and the Middle East that support FGM travel to America.
Female genital mutilation involves removing part or all of the external female genitalia. There are different types of female genital mutilation currently known to be practiced.
The most common form of female genital mutilation, occurring in about eighty percent (4 in 5) cases is Type II, with the most extreme form, Type III or infibulation occurring in about fifteen percent (5 in 30) cases.
Because the vaginal opening of women with Type III FGM is small, typically 0.5 inches (1 cm) or less, it is harder for healthcare providers to perform a pelvic examination. It can be difficult for doctors to obtain samples, including uncontaminated urine samples, and the administration of some therapies is obstructed. This is also a problem later in pregnancy if preeclampsia is suspected. Urine samples contaminated with proteinuriaSometimes called albuminuria, proteinuria is is defined as abnormally large quatities of protein in the urine. While it can be the sign of renal disease, it is often a sign of other problems such as hypertension or heart failure. It can also be the result of heavy exercise or heart failure.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. may affect certain decisions that are made to manage the condition. Some experts also suggest that there is a higher incidence of urinary tract infectionsA bacterial infection of one or more structures in the urinary tract including the kidneys and bladder. The most common gramnegative bacteria include Escherichia coli, or a species of Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas or Enterobacter.
Urinary tract infections are more common in women than in men. They are characterized by an increased need to urinate, a burning sensation and in severe cases blood and pus in the urine.
Treatment includes antibacterials, analgesics, and urinary antiseptic medications. Urinary tract infections include cystitis, pyelonephritis and urethritis. Abbreviated to UTI.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. among women with Type III FGM.
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Even if there is no increased incidence of urinary tract infectionA bacterial infection of one or more structures in the urinary tract including the kidneys and bladder. The most common gramnegative bacteria include Escherichia coli, or a species of Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas or Enterobacter.
Urinary tract infections are more common in women than in men. They are characterized by an increased need to urinate, a burning sensation and in severe cases blood and pus in the urine.
Treatment includes antibacterials, analgesics, and urinary antiseptic medications. Urinary tract infections include cystitis, pyelonephritis and urethritis. Abbreviated to UTI.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., there is a definite increase in the risk of fetal infections since the membranes that protect the baby have been removed. Vaginal delivery is not possible for women with Type III FGM, because damage to the birth canalThe passage through which the baby passes during delivery from the inlet of the true pelvis to the vaginal orifice.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. can injure the baby's head.
In the event of a miscarriage, thorough dilation and curettage is not possible, and products retained in the vagina may cause serious infection. Women with Type III FGM experiencing pain and bleeding in early pregnancy may require surgical opening of the procedure to diagnose the condition.
Although delivery is always performed by cesarean section, FGM makes it difficult for the doctor to assess how much the cervix has dilated during labor. Surgical opening of the scar tissue in the midline may be necessary to assess how far along the labor has progressed.
Women who have undergone female circumcision are at risk of many obstetric complications and should seek the care of an obstetrician familiar with the practice. The extent of the procedure will need to be established at the first prenatal visit. There may be local guidelines in place to determine how the circumcision should be opened during pregnancy and delivery, if necessary, to minimize trauma to the perineumThe part of the body between the genitalia and the anus. In the female body it is the area that extends back from the vagina to anus.Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions..
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