Midwives’ experiences of providing intrapartum care to women with female genital mutilation

Abstract

Introduction: Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Due to the increasing numbers of migrants from countries where female genital mutilation is performed, European midwives are facing new challenges when providing intrapartum care to these women. Therefore, this study aimed to explore midwives’ experiences of providing intrapartum care to women with FGM.

Methods: A qualitative research paradigm was used. A self-designed semi-structured interview schedule was undertaken to elicit data from six midwives who were recruited via purposive sampling. All participants worked at a delivery suite and were directly involved in intrapartum care. Thematic analysis was then undertaken on the interview data.

Results: Midwives lacked knowledge of FGM which leads to a lack of confidence when providing these women with intrapartum care. Midwives experienced many challenges and described feelings of shock, uncertainty and fear when providing intrapartum care to these women. Midwives described difficulty when performing invasive intrapartum procedures. Communication also featured as another challenge when caring for women with FGM in labour.

Conclusion: As the primary caregivers of women in labour midwives need to feel competent in the care they are providing to all women in an attempt to improve outcomes but also to increase job satisfaction. This study highlights the importance of increasing the knowledge surrounding FGM among midwives as well as improving the communication between midwives and these women.