Women's Postpartum Sexual Health Program: A Collaborative and Integrated Approach to Restoring Sexual Health in the Postpartum Period

McBride, Hillary L.; Olson, Sarah; Kwee, Janelle L.; Klein, Carolin; Smith, Kelly B.

doi:10.1080/0092623x.2016.1141818

Cited by 23 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…During visits, clinicians need to be authentically present, engaging in active communication, listening to positive and negative experiences, and seeking solutions for identified problems [129]. Finally, postpartum sexual health can be improved by offering optional programs to women that include psychoeducation, skills to enhance sexual satisfaction either within the act of vaginal intercourse or other types of intimate sexually stimulating and satisfying activities, conversations about relationships, and safe spaces for women to discuss their challenges with other women [130].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The meaning of postpartum sexual health for women living in Spain: a phenomenological inquiry

Pardell-Dominguez

Palmieri

Domínguez-Cancino

et al. 2021

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background Sexual health is a multidimensional phenomenon constructed by personal, social, and cultural factors but continues to be studied with a biomedical approach. During the postpartum period, a woman transitions to mother, as well as partner-to-parent and couple-to-family. There are new realities in life in the postpartum period, including household changes and new responsibilities that can impact the quality of sexual health. This phenomenon is understudied especially in the context of Spain. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of postpartum sexual health among primiparous women giving birth in Catalonia (Spain). Methods This was a phenomenological study with a purposive sample of primiparous women. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews until saturation. Analysis followed Colaizzi’s seven-step process with an eighth translation step added to limit cross-cultural threats to validity. Also, the four dimensions of trustworthiness were established through strategies and techniques during data collection and analysis. Results Ten women were interviewed from which five themes emerged, including: Not feeling ready, inhibiting factors, new reality at home, socio-cultural factors, and the clinician within the health system. Returning to sexual health led women to engage in experiential learning through trial and error. Most participants reported reduced libido, experienced altered body image, and recounted resumption of sexual activity before feeling ready. A common finding was fatigue and feeling overloaded by the demands of the newborn. Partner support was described as essential to returning to a meaningful relationship. Discussions about postpartum sexual health with clinicians were described as taboo, and largely absent from the care model. Conclusion Evidence-based practices should incorporate the best evidence from research, consider the postpartum sexual health experiences and preferences of the woman, and use clinician expertise in discussions that include the topic of postpartum sexual health to make decisions. As such, human caring practices should be incorporated into clinical guidelines to recognize the preferences of women. Clinicians need to be authentically present, engage in active communication, and individualize their care. More qualitative studies are needed to understand postpartum sexual health in different contexts, cultures, and countries and to identify similarities and differences through meta-synthesis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The meaning of postpartum sexual health for women living in Spain: a phenomenological inquiry

Pardell-Dominguez

Palmieri

Domínguez-Cancino

et al. 2021

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This knowledge may be particularly useful for prevention and treatment efforts with new parent couples, by emphasizing the importance of considering both partners and identifying specific targets for intervention. Adding to previous treatments noting the importance of targeting postpartum sexual well-being (McBride, Olson, Kwee, Klein, & Smith, 2016), education and interventions aimed at helping new parents cope with stress are encouraged to integrate sexual well-being as an important component.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual well-being and perceived stress in couples transitioning to parenthood: A dyadic analysis

Tavares

Schlagintweit

Nobre

et al. 2019

International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology

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Background/Objective The transition to parenthood encompasses several psychological and relational changes that might contribute to couples’ high levels of stress postpartum. Although common across the postpartum, couples’ sexual changes are frequently overlooked. Method We surveyed 255 mixed-sex new parent couples to examine the associations between sexual well-being—sexual satisfaction, desire, and postpartum sexual concerns—and perceived stress postpartum. Couples completed self-report questionnaires assessing perceived stress and sexual well-being. Results For both mothers and fathers, greater sexual satisfaction was associated with their partners’ lower perceived stress and, for fathers, this was also associated with their own lower perceived stress. For mothers, greater partner-focused sexual desire was associated with their own lower perceived stress whereas, for fathers, greater partner-focused sexual desire was associated with their partners’ higher perceived stress. In addition, greater solitary sexual desire and postpartum sexual concerns were associated with both parents’ own higher perceived stress. Conclusions This study highlights the association between sexual well-being and couples’ postpartum stress, suggesting that more positive sexual experiences are linked to lower perceptions of stress across this vulnerable period. Couples’ sexual well-being may be an important target for interventions aimed at helping postpartum couples cope with stress.

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“…[130] Finally, postpartum sexual health can be improved by offering optional programs to women that include psychoeducation, skills to enhance sexual satisfaction either within the act of vaginal intercourse or other types of intimate sexually stimulating and satisfying activities, conversations about relationships, and safe spaces for women to discuss their challenges with other women. [131]…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The meaning of postpartum sexual health for women living in Spain: A phenomenological inquiry.

Pardell-Dominguez

Palmieri

Domínguez-Cancino

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: Sexual health is a multidimensional phenomenon constructed by personal, social, and cultural factors but continues to be studied with a biomedical approach. During the postpartum period, a woman transitions to mother, as well as partner-to-parent and couple-to-family. There are new realities in life in the postpartum period, including household changes and new responsibilities that can impact the quality of sexual health. This phenomenon is understudied especially in the context of Spain. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of postpartum sexual health among primiparous women giving birth in Catalonia (Spain).Methods: This was a phenomenological study with a purposive sample of primiparous women. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews until saturation. Analysis followed Colaizzi's seven-step process with an eighth translation step added to limit cross-cultural threats to validity. Also, the four dimensions of trustworthiness were established through strategies and techniques during data collection and analysis.Results: Ten women were interviewed from which five themes emerged, including: Not feeling ready, inhibiting factors, new reality at home, socio-cultural factors, and the clinician within the health system. Returning to sexual health led women to engage in experiential learning through trial and error. Most participants reported reduced libido, experienced altered body image, and recounted resumption of sexual activity before feeling ready. A common finding was fatigue and feeling overloaded by the demands of the newborn. Partner support was described as essential to returning to a meaningful relationship. Discussions about postpartum sexual health with clinicians were described as taboo, and largely absent from the care model.Conclusion: Evidence-based practices should incorporate the best evidence from research, consider the postpartum sexual health experiences and preferences of the woman, and use clinician expertise in discussions that include the topic of postpartum sexual health to make decisions. As such, human caring practices should be incorporated into clinical guidelines to recognize the preferences of women. Clinicians need to be authentically present, engage in active communication, and individualize their care. More qualitative studies are needed to understand postpartum sexual health in different contexts, cultures, and countries and to identify similarities and differences through meta-synthesis.

show abstract

Women's Postpartum Sexual Health Program: A Collaborative and Integrated Approach to Restoring Sexual Health in the Postpartum Period

Cited by 23 publications

References 26 publications

The meaning of postpartum sexual health for women living in Spain: a phenomenological inquiry

The meaning of postpartum sexual health for women living in Spain: a phenomenological inquiry

Sexual well-being and perceived stress in couples transitioning to parenthood: A dyadic analysis

The meaning of postpartum sexual health for women living in Spain: A phenomenological inquiry.

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