Switzerland - A study at the University of Berne reveals that women who have been genitally mutilated face much higher risks during childbirth than women who have not suffered mutilation. The study compared 122 women who have suffered FGM with a control group and found that the risk of having an emergency C-section as well as the risk of suffering severe vaginal tears during delivery are substantially higher with genitally mutilated women: Out of the group of 122 FGM victims, 18 needed an emergency C-section and 9 suffered severe vaginal tears, compared to 3 emergency C-sections and one woman with severe tears in the control group.

The study also recorded the women’s preferences of how to manage the issue of their mutilation during childbirth. 50 percent asked for a surgical widening of the vaginal opening either before of during childbirth.

Source: Reuters India