Impact of female genital mutilation on second stage of labour in primigravida at Omdurman Maternity Hospital, Sudan 2010

ABSTRACT

To find out the impact of female genital mutilation [FGM] on the second stage of labour at Omdurman Maternity Hospital [OMH]. A descriptive cross-sectional study, for primigravidae delivered vaginally in 2010. After an informed consent circumcised women, were included as study group and uncircumcised ladies as control group. Data was collected by trained registrars using a structured questionnaire to collect frequency of postpartum haemorrhage [PPH], perineal tear, birth asphyxia, neonatal death and hospital stay. A total of 1961 primigravidae, delivered in 2010 at OMH, 629[32.1%] were circumcised and 1332[67.9%] were uncircumcised. There was no significant difference in the mode of delivery and episiotomy. FGM places women at a greater risk during childbirth, endangering their health and their babies compared to uncircumcised.