What should midwife know
Women's sexuality and sexual desire changes throughout the lifetime and pregnancy is not an exception. Some women's libido increases but in others it may decrease therefore both these groups will need midwife's reassurance that it is normal (Polomeno, 2000).
According to Bartellas et al. study (2000) 14% of women reported increased sexual desire, 58% decreased and 29% the same desire as before pregnancy regardless of gravidity. Women's sexual desire did not change significantly by each trimester.
Each woman needs to be considered as a whole being as well as the situation pregnant woman may be in as it can have a significant influence on her sexuality and sexual intimacy during pregnancy:
- woman happily married and looking forward to a new baby
- teenager whose pregnancy is unplanned
- woman who recently separated or divorced from her partner
- victim of domestic violence
- woman who experienced previous miscarriages therefore the pregnancy may be special
Advice given may slightly vary due to individual needs, e.g.:
- beware of sexual diseases if not in a stable relationship
- how to deal with fluctuating sexual desire in a harmonized relationship
- changing positions as pregnancy advances
- reassuring couples of their fears and doubts they may have regarding the safety of sexual intercourse
It is important midwives have a correct and complete information on sexuality during pregnancy as they face women and their partners during antenatal period who may have concerns or would like to clarify their questions (Polomeno, 2000)!