Sex life of couples during pregnancy

Uvod: V nosečnosti nastopijo čustvene in fiziološke spremembe, ki vplivajo na nosečnico, moškega in njun partnerski odnos. Te spremembe lahko posežejo tudi v samopodobo nosečnice in spolno življenje para v nosečnosti. Glede na obdobje pred nosečnostjo se v nosečnosti spolnost para spremeni. Natančneje, spremeni se pogostost spolnih odnosov, zadovoljstvo para s spolnostjo v času nosečnosti, pride tudi do sprememb v spolnem poželenju nosečnice. Pomembna je odprta komunikacija v partnerskem odnosu, da osebi skupaj raziščeta nove načine izkazovanja intimnosti in se vzajemno prilagodita na spremembe v spolnosti med nosečnostjo. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je raziskati spremembe v spolnem življenju parov med nosečnostjo. Diplomsko delo zajema slovenske ženske, ki so že vsaj enkrat rodile, in nosečnice, ki bodo rodile ob izpolnitvi anketnega vprašalnika v zadnjem trimesečju. Metode dela: Pri metodah dela je bila uporabljena deskriptivna kavzalna neeksperimentalna metoda empiričnega raziskovanja. Za tehniko zbiranja podatkov je bila uporabljena anketa, ki je temeljila na strukturiranem anketnem vprašalniku, razvitem na podlagi kritičnega pregleda tujih študij. Rezultati: Pogostost spolnih odnosov se v primerjavi s prednosečniškim obdobjem zmanjša. Pred nosečnostjo je 38 % parov imelo v povprečju spolne odnose od tri- do štirikrat na teden, v času nosečnosti so imeli pari spolne odnose v povprečju dvakrat na teden v prvem in drugem trimesečju ter enkrat na teden v tretjem trimesečju. V nosečnosti nastane sprememba v spolnem poželenju. Večina žensk (43 %) je odgovorila, da se je spolno poželenje v času nosečnosti zmanjšalo, 31 % žensk pa se je spolno poželenje v nosečnosti povišalo. Stopnja zadovoljstva žensk s spolnim življenjem je tekom nosečnosti padala, hkrati pa je naraščalo nezadovoljstvo s spolnimi aktivnostmi v nosečnosti. Razprava: Psihofizične spremembe nosečnice posežejo v spolnost parov. Med nosečnostjo pride do zmanjšanega interesa nosečnic za spolni odnos zaradi utrujenosti in občutka okornosti nosečnice. Ženske so na splošno zadovoljne s spolnim življenjem in uživajo v spolnih aktivnostih med nosečnostjo, čeprav jim spolnost ne pomeni več tako veliko, kot jim je pred nosečnostjo. Par poizkuša s komunikacijo in telesnimi stiki najti nove načine izkazovanja intimnosti in odkriti, kaj partnerju/-ki vzbuja ugodje. Sklep: Z raziskavo je bil dobljen vpogled v spolno življenje para med nosečnostjo. Glede na to, da je anketo ustrezno izpolnilo 686 žensk, se lahko strne, da je vzorec dovolj velik, da se posplošijo izsledki raziskave do stopnje, ki nakazuje določen trend stanja in razmer v slovenskem prostoru. Individualen pristop zdravstvenega osebja (babice) in kontinuirana oskrba nosečnice lahko nudi medsebojno zaupanje, podporo nosečnici in ji daje zasebnost, v okviru katere lahko brez zadržkov govori o težavah, s katerimi se sooča med nosečnostjo.Introduction: Pregnancy brings emotional and physiological changes that affect the pregnant woman, her partner and their relationship. These changes can also influence the self-image of the pregnant woman and the sex life of the couple during pregnancy. Sexuality of the couple changes with the onset of pregnancy compared to pre-pregnancy. Specifically, the frequency of sexual intercourse and satisfaction with sex during pregnancy alter as well as the pregnant woman’s sexual drive. It is important the couple maintains open communication in order to find new expressions of intimacy together and reciprocally adjust to the changes in sexuality during pregnancy. Objectives: The aim of the thesis is to research the changes in sex life of couples during pregnancy. It includes Slovenian women who have given birth at least once and pregnant women in the third trimester at the time of questionnaire completion. Methods: A descriptive and causal non-experimental method of empirical research was used. A structured survey questionnaire developed on the basis of similar foreign studies was the chosen research technique. Results: Frequency of sexual intercourse during pregnancy diminishes compared to pre-pregnancy. On average, 38 % of couples had sexual intercourse 3–4 times a week before pregnancywhereas during pregnancy they had sexual intercourse 2 times a week in the first and second trimesters and weekly in the third trimester. Pregnancy brings changes in sexual desire. The majority of women (43 %) answered that their sexual desire decreased, but in as many as 31 % of women the sexual desire increased. The degree of women’s satisfaction with their sex life dropped with the progression of pregnancy, and at the same time the dissatisfaction with sexual activities grew. Discussion: Psychophysical changes of the pregnant woman interfere with the sexuality of the couple. During pregnancy, women are less interested in sexual intercourse due to tiredness and a feeling of clumsiness. Women are generally satisfied with sex life and enjoy in sexual activities during pregnancy, although they do not rate sexuality as highly as they did before becoming pregnant. Through communication and physical contacts, the couple searches for new ways of expressing intimacy and discovering what brings the other partner pleasure. Conclusion: Research offered an insight into sexual life during pregnancy. Considering that 686 women appropriately filled in the survey questionnaire, the sample was big enough to generalise the findings. Individualised care by health care providers (a midwife) and continuity of care during pregnancy can offer mutual trust, support and privacy to the pregnant woman so that she can address the problems she confronts without restraint