9.2.4  Abnormalities of the reproductive tract

A possible cause of obstructed labour is if the mother has a tumour (growth or swelling of tissue) in her pelvic cavity, or a scarred birth canal due to a severe type of female genital mutilation (‘female circumcision’). Or she may have a tight perineum (the area between the vulva and the anus), which does not stretch in order to allow the baby to pass through.