OBJECTIVE: To explore how perinatal care practice may influence labor outcomes among circumcised women. STUDY DESIGN: In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 Somali immigrants and 36 Norwegian health care professionals about their experiences from antenatal care, delivery and the management of circumcision. RESULTS: Circumcision was not recognized as an important delivery issue among Norwegian health care professionals and generally the topic was not addressed antenatally. The Somalis feared lack of experience and sub-optimal treatment at delivery. All of the women expressed a strong fear of cesarean section. Health care professionals were uncertain about delivery procedures for infibulated women and occasionally cesarean sections were performed in place of defibulation. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that neglect of circumcision may lead to adverse birth outcomes including unnecessary cesarean sections, prolonged second stage of labor and low Apgar scores. We suggest that infibulated women need a carefully planned delivery, correctly performed defibulation and adequate pain relief.
OBJECTIVE: To explore how perinatal care practice may influence labor outcomes among circumcised women. STUDY DESIGN: In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 Somali immigrants and 36 Norwegian health care professionals about their experiences from antenatal care, delivery and the management of circumcision. RESULTS: Circumcision was not recognized as an important delivery issue among Norwegian health care professionals and generally the topic was not addressed antenatally. The Somalis feared lack of experience and sub-optimal treatment at delivery. All of the women expressed a strong fear of cesarean section. Health care professionals were uncertain about delivery procedures for infibulated women and occasionally cesarean sections were performed in place of defibulation. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that neglect of circumcision may lead to adverse birth outcomes including unnecessary cesarean sections, prolonged second stage of labor and low Apgar scores. We suggest that infibulated women need a carefully planned delivery, correctly performed defibulation and adequate pain relief.
Authors: Dineke G Korfker; Ria Reis; Marlies E B Rijnders; Sanna Meijer-van Asperen; Lucienne Read; Maylis Sanjuan; Kathy Herschderfer; Simone E Buitendijk Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2012-04 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: R Small; A Gagnon; M Gissler; J Zeitlin; M Bennis; Rh Glazier; E Haelterman; G Martens; S McDermott; M Urquia; S Vangen Journal: BJOG Date: 2008-12 Impact factor: 6.531