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FGM FGM carries significant health consequences , both physical and psychological . Young girls are particularly affected , with morbidity often lasting several years after the mutilation and potentially impacting on all aspects of their lives , including childbirth . Therefore , this is a public health issue in our communities .
The practice is illegal in the UK under the Female Genital Mutilation Act ( 2003 ) and the Serious Crime Act ( 2015 ), 7 , 8 which extends to any act performed on a UK resident . Frontline professionals , including those working in health and social care , need to be vigilant for any evidence of the practice . Indeed , they have a mandatory duty to report known cases of FGM in under-18s to the police . Since the majority of such mutilations occur in childhood , this represents a major safeguarding concern .
My team worked to develop a specialist midwife for FGM issues and a specialist service to support those who have been subjected to FGM and who live within the Cardiff and Vale area . This service also provides support to pregnant women who are seeking asylum or refuge from domestic abuse and sexual violence .
Postpartum contraception Another important part of the midwife ’ s public health role is to help prevent unintended pregnancy and closely spaced pregnancies after childbirth . 9 Childbirth presents an opportunity for providing contraception advice at a time when women are seeing healthcare providers who can offer a full range of methods , and when they may be highly motivated to start using an effective method .
During the antenatal and postnatal periods , health professionals in maternity services should discuss the issue of contraception and support women in their choice of method . The benefits of long-acting reversible contraception ( LARC ) methods in terms of efficacy should be highlighted to all pregnant women . 10
There is a high rate of unplanned pregnancy within 12 months of childbirth among women in ‘ hard-to-reach ’ groups , such as teenagers and vulnerable adults . The risk of a subsequent accidental pregnancy is significantly reduced by the use of LARC methods . 10 Therefore , the provision of timely , up-to-date contraceptive advice is a valuable component of maternity care .
Midwifery practice directly impacts on the health of mother and baby . The public health midwife supports colleagues to deliver key messages and is therefore of central importance in maternal health . This work can empower women not only to make healthy choices during pregnancy and beyond , but also reduce health inequalities and infant morbidity and mortality rates . Nurses ’ role in combating female genital mutilation , page 22
Judith Cutter is a consultant midwife in public health and vulnerable families at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Summer 2021 nursinginpractice . com