Alteration of Mother’s Sexual Activity during Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Sexual activity during pregnancy is one of the significant issues for both pregnant women and health care provider, though rarely disclosed. Studies on this topic have been done broadly, though still no conclusion.Objective: To analize the change of mother’s sexual activity before and during pregnancy and to describe resources used by mother to find information related to sexual activity during pregnancy.Method: A descriptive cross sectional study conducted on pregnant mothers who undergo antenatal care at Tegalrejo public health center, Yogyakarta. Sample was determined using quota sampling which total sample was 78 partisipants (every trimester consist of 26 pregnant mothers) and not have significant health problem related to their pregnancy (e.g. high risk pregnancy condition, vaginal bleeding, etc.). Data was collected using Indonesian version of Pregnancy Sexuality and Respon Inventory (PSRI) questionnaire which reliable to used (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.714). Data were analyzed by paired t test. Significant change of sexual activity among trimesters was analyzed using post hoc.Results: There was significant changes in biological aspect of mothers’ sexual activity before and during pregnancy, especially second (p 0.002) and third trimester (p 0.000) and the changes led to the decline. There was significant decline in emotional aspect of sexual activities of mothers in all trimesters of pregnancy (p<0.05). Meanwhile in physical aspect of sexual activities, there was significant decline in second (p 0.000) and third trimester (p 0.000). Respondents got information on sexual activities during pregnancy from numerous sources, but the most common was from health care provider (35.9%).Conclusion: Providing the right informatian and consultation related this topic will help mother to understand their physiological change related to sexual activity and help mother and spouse to choose the right decision in doing sexual activity during pregnancy.

Keywords

• sexual activities, pregnancy, mother