Pregnancy and sexuality: From concept to nursing approaches in perspective

Abstract

Sexuality is a lifelong biopsychosocial concept that is affected by the attitudes, behaviors and thoughts of people and is shaped by the society in which they live. This concept varies according to the life periods of the person. Pregnancy is one of these life stages. During pregnancy, a woman tries to adapt to the changes that occur in her body from a physiological point of view, to adapt to motherhood and pregnancy from a psychosocial point of view, and to adapt to new roles. In this adaptation process, problems such as physiological complaints, disliking the appearance, thinking that pregnancy will change their life greatly, seeing pregnancy as an obstacle, decrease in sexual desire and ending sexual life can be experienced. The most effective way to deal with the lack of information, false information and myths, which are the main causes of these problems, is counseling. The evaluation of sexuality during pregnancy should be handled with a holistic perspective and with the participation of the spouses. The couple should be made to express their complaints, and they should be asked with detailed questions about how pregnancy feels, what it changes, what is received positively and negatively, how it affects sexuality, and their expectations and experiences. The problem with the answers given should be identified and a solution should be offered. The continuity of the counseling service is important in order to prevent the sexuality of pregnant women from being adversely affected and to cope with the problems. However, not only physiological changes, but also the changes created by pregnancy should be addressed in the training given in pregnant schools.