Obstetrical complications include:

Prolongation of the second stage of labor because of scar or soft tissue dystocia;

Perineal lacerations because of loss of natural compliance of the tissues;

Haemorrhage, leading to shock and death because of tearing of the scar tissue;

Vesico-vaginal or recto-vaginal fistula: obstructed labor can cause necrosis of the vaginal wall, due to constant pressure of baby's head on posterior wall of the urinary bladder and anterior wall of the rectum;

Difficulty in performing a good pelvic examination in infibulated women, resulting in the inability to effectively monitor the progress of labor;

Repetition of deinfibulation and reinfibulation: leaves extensive scarring which is often unstable;

Unnecessary caesarean sections where doctors are not familiar with FGM. Resort to caesarean section for fear of handling the infibulation scar adds the risks of general anaesthesia and major surgery.

Prolonged, obstructed labor and lack of oxygen during the second phase of labor can result in stillbirths or children with cerebral palsy;

Increased risk of HIV transmission in infibulated women: Excessive blood loss at delivery in infibulated women might expose the child (and staff) to HIV infections.