Women's perception of sexuality during pregnancy and after birth

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and birth mark a distinct period in the life of a woman. Hormonal alterations and bodily and social changes impact on women's physical well-being, mood, relationship and sexuality. Most existing research on sexuality during pregnancy focuses on the quantitative analysis of sexual activities, but neglects subjective experiences of women. AIMS: To examine women's sexual needs, sexual activities, subjective importance of sexuality and contentment with sex life, focusing on the changes over the course of pregnancy and post-partum. METHODS: Twenty-six women completed a series of three extensive interviews in early and late pregnancy, as well as 6 months post-partum. A semiqualitative approach, combining visual analogue scales and a semistructured interview with self-developed questions, was used. RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease of perceived 'importance of sexuality', 'importance of sexual intercourse' and 'contentment with present sex life', from prepregnancy over early pregnancy to late pregnancy, which was followed by a slight increase in the post-partum period. Samples from the structured interviews provide a detailed insight into female experiences, perceptions and opinions, and demonstrate the high interindividual variability. CONCLUSION: Doctors can provide invaluable advice to women regarding the psychosexual changes and help them to understand the normal fluctuations in sexual interest during pregnancy and the post-partum.