Infibulation-FGM

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This is kind of sensitive topic and one that don't feel 100% comfortable asking my professor yet, but I was reading in my nursing textbook about genital mutilation. According to the text, if a patient comes in for delivery and has been "closed" or infibulated, then she would have to be opened up for delivery and then possibly re-closed. Do doctors do this? I understand that there are cultural differences and all, but wouldn't this still be genital mutilation and go against the oath to do no harm? Any real world experiences that you wouldn't mind sharing? Thank you!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
This is kind of sensitive topic and one that don't feel 100% comfortable asking my professor yet, but I was reading in my nursing textbook about genital mutilation. According to the text, if a patient comes in for delivery and has been "closed" or infibulated, then she would have to be opened up for delivery and then possibly re-closed. Do doctors do this? I understand that there are cultural differences and all, but wouldn't this still be genital mutilation and go against the oath to do no harm? Any real world experiences that you wouldn't mind sharing? Thank you!

I have never seen a physician reinfibulate to the extent of the previous infibulation, but rather only to sew up damaged/deinfibulated tissue in order to create hemostasis.

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Specializes in ICU, Home Health, Camp, Travel, L&D.

What klone said. In 16 years all across the southeastern US, I have never seen a patient reinfibulate, only repair.

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Ok. Thank you both! That makes a lot of sense.

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