Selected aspects of sexuality in pregnant women

Introduction:
Sexuality, being a vital aspect of life, encompasses its biological, psychological, and emotional spheres. A successful sex life facilitates the proper functioning of the relationship. Sexual drive and the form of this activity are frequently subjected to changes during pregnancy. A normal pregnancy is not a contraindication to sexual intercourse. Sexual contact has a positive impact on the course of pregnancy by improving the well-being of the pregnant woman. Aim of the study was to assess correlations between selected socio-demographic factors and sexual behaviour of pregnant women.

Material and methods:
The study was conducted in a group of 150 pregnant women in the period from January 2021 to April 2021. Method used for this study was a diagnostic survey, and the tool used was the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). In addition, an original questionnaire was also used.

Results:
Place of residence, level of education, and marital status did not significantly affect the quality of the respondents’ sex life (p > 0.05). Younger respondents more often experienced ailments and pain during the sexual act than women over 30 years of age (p = 0.006). The obstetric history of the respondents had no impact on their satisfaction with sex life (p = 0.715). The parity of the respondents did not mark any significant differences between the frequency of intercourse in trimesters: I (p = 0.206), II (p = 0.855), and III (p = 0.552). The subjects in high-risk pregnancy declared higher satisfaction with sex life (p < 0.001). They also rated the lubrication domain worse (p = 0.005) and felt less pain during intercourse (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:
While planning antenatal care, the patient’s relationship with a partner shall also be considered with regard to the possibility of using various forms of sexual activity adapted to the course of pregnancy, its duration, and the well-being of the pregnant woman.