Female Genital Mutilation and Obstetric Care

About the Book

Beverley Chalmers (DSc (Med); PhD) and Kowser Omer-Hashi (RN; BBA)

Between 100-140 million women worldwide have been circumcised and 2 million or more girls, or approximately 5,500 per day, experience this procedure each year. This book provides a valuable resource for those concerned with the Obstetric, Midwifery and Nursing care of women who have previously undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Unique information on the practice of FGM is also provided from a multidisciplinary viewpoint. Embedded n a global perspective, the book integrates social, cultural, religious, psychological and sexual information with appropriate medical and obstetrical care.

FGM is commonly practiced in about 28 countries predominantly in Africa and Asia. Women from these countries are migrating with increasing frequency to Canada, the USA, the UK, Europe and Australia. Caregivers in these countries are infrequently aware of the practice and even less prepared for the medical and obstetric implications of FGM. Nevertheless they are confronted with the reality of caring for these women, particularly during childbirth. There is an urgent need to acquire the skills needed for effective clinical care of women with FGM. Excellent clinical skills are, however, insufficient and must be accompanied by culturally appropriate and sensitive attitudes.

Rare, high-quality photographs of FGM as well as the process of defilation and repair are included in the text.

The book is ideally suited to practicing professionals as well as students in Obstetrics, Midwifery and Nursing. It is also of value to Lawyers, Social Workers, Psychologists, Teachers, and others in the helping professions who care for women or children with FGM. In his foreword to the book, Professor Mahmoud Fathalla (Assiut University Egypt, and Past President of FIGO) highly recommends the book for global application.

About the Author

Prof Beverley Chalmers (DSc(Med); PhD) Prof Beverley Chalmers (DSc(Med); PhD) is a Consultant in International Women's Health to Agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Medicine Sans Frontieres, the Public Health Agency of Canada and others. She has undertaken over 135 missions to countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Former Soviet Union. Her primary area of expertise is in Pernatal Health. Currently Dr Chalmers is an Adjuct Full Professor in the Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,University of Ottawa, Ontario. Previously she was Professor of Psychology, and Honourary Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa and later held professional appointments in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nursing and Public Health Sciences at the University of Toronto, while serving at their Centre for Research in Women's Health, and in the Dept of Community Health and Epidemiology at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.. She is a distinguished academic with a number of books and book chapters on perinatal health to her credit including "African Birth: Childbirth in Cultural Transition", "Pregnancy and Parenthood: Heaven or Hell" and "Humane Perinatal Care" (with Adik Levin). She has over 200 published peer-reviewed articles, chapters and books, and as an exceptional speaker is very highly sought after for international conferences, meetings and workshops.