Female genital mutilation and delivery
Seance of wednesday 23 april 2025 (Obstétrique)
DOI number : 10.26299/1bgn-9093/2025.16.04
Abstract
FGM is not an abandoned practice. In March 2024, the UNFPA published the following data: 230 million women have been cut and 2 million girls will be cut before 2030.
The medical consequences of FGM differ greatly between the two types of FGM:
In the case of type II FSM, pain, infections, perineal tears, sexual disorder
In the case of type III FSM, dysuria, dyspareunia or even apareunia, perineal tears, obstetric fistulas.
How can these women give birth in France?
The first step is to make an early diagnosis.
In the case of type II FSM, the suppleness of the perineum must be assessed with a view to expulsion or instrumental extraction, in order to determine whether an episiotomy is indicated.
In the case of type III FSM, the diagnosis should be made as soon as possible, so that desinfibulation can be performed, which should allow vaginal delivery.
If infibulation or MSF type III is discovered during delivery, deinfibulation should be carried out when the head stresses and distends the perineum.
The medical consequences of FGM differ greatly between the two types of FGM:
In the case of type II FSM, pain, infections, perineal tears, sexual disorder
In the case of type III FSM, dysuria, dyspareunia or even apareunia, perineal tears, obstetric fistulas.
How can these women give birth in France?
The first step is to make an early diagnosis.
In the case of type II FSM, the suppleness of the perineum must be assessed with a view to expulsion or instrumental extraction, in order to determine whether an episiotomy is indicated.
In the case of type III FSM, the diagnosis should be made as soon as possible, so that desinfibulation can be performed, which should allow vaginal delivery.
If infibulation or MSF type III is discovered during delivery, deinfibulation should be carried out when the head stresses and distends the perineum.