Female Genital Mutilation do you know enough?

Freefall · #11 (**permalink**) 13-Jul-2008, 23:31

Have never come across it in practice. Have discussed it briefly in uni (I think we will go into it more in second year) but we had a presentation on it during our international midwifery conference from the equality and diversity midwife at LWH as she is passionate about this topic.

Bunny · #12 (**permalink**) 14-Jul-2008, 01:56

Know a little about it, but not enough. The wikipedia link has an excellent map of prevalence which I would urge everyone to look at - thanks for that! Sudan, Ethiopia and DC Congo are the countries that I've heard have the highest incidence. Booking should involve a sensitive exploration of this as women will often deny having had 'the operation'. One of my cohort only discovered her lady had FGM when she was trying to catheterise her in theatre.

In our Trust we now have a weekly FGM clinic. I would like to think that a part of this would be to give counselling to women who will need to have an anterior Episiotomy to birth vaginally as there is the consequent issue that British practitioners cannot close that Episiotomy back up.

This is a practice where I think its important to remember that the 'sin' and not the 'sinner' is at fault. I read a novel by Alice Walker when I was much younger called 'Possessing the Secret of Joy' that I have never forgotten. It really tackles some of the more distressing aspects of FGM - the emotions (shame, guilt and embarrassment) as well as the physical difficulties and complications.

Dena · #13 (**permalink**) 14-Jul-2008, 15:20

Wow, so glad I read up on that, it was not what I thought it was.

dizzygee123 · #14 (**permalink**) 14-Jul-2008, 15:25

Did anyone watch Tribal Wives on BBC2? This came up on there as the girl was staying with some Ethiopian herders who practice FGM, and she found it very hard to comprehend. Very interesting series by the way!! but clashed with the Freebirthing programme last week.

dizzygee123 · #15 (**permalink**) 14-Jul-2008, 15:39

PS This was type III? All outer labia were removed and the vagina was sewn up to be cut open during childbirth. For this and other reasons 1 woman in 11 died of complications during childbirth within this community. Quite shocking. However, many mother's were afraid that if the young girls were not circumcised they would not be left alone by the men, as they would view them as 'available', and they would not find husbands.

TallPoppy · #16 (**permalink**) 14-Jul-2008, 17:02

Have you guys been to this site http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/key-issues/fgm theres a FGM info pack and fact sheet you can download.

midwifemissy · #17 (**permalink**) 14-Jul-2008, 17:06

Thanks for that J, I have saved it lol. xx

minkymoo · #18 (**permalink**) 14-Jul-2008, 18:39

I have never heard of this until today. From what I have read I think it is wrong, it sounds to be very cruel.
Donna
X xx X

upsy daisy · #19 (**permalink**) 15-Jul-2008, 21:17

I know what it is but I don't know enough about it which I guess is something I will have to force myself to learn about since I'm contemplating midwifery

xxx

faloola · #20 (**permalink**) 18-Sep-2008, 18:37

I have read a really sad - but true story about a young woman fleeing FGM called "Do they hear you when you cry" it's by a very brave lady called Fauziya Kassindja

I cried reading the book but I can say I thoroughly recommend it to anyone

Female Genital Mutilation do you know enough?

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