Does the postpartum body image of primiparous women giving vaginal delivery affect their sexual functions and depression and fatigue levels?

Abstract

The body image-related problems can negatively affect women’s lives in many ways. The study was aimed at investigating the effects of postpartum body image on sexual functions, and fatigue and depression levels of primiparous women who gave birth vaginally. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 133 women who presented to the obstetrics and gynecology clinics of a state hospital in Turkey between June 2021 and December 2021. At the end of the study, a moderate relationship was determined between the women’s body image and their depression (r = 0.500; p < 0.001) and fatigue (r = 0.666; p < 0.001) levels, and a weak relationship between their body image and sexual functions (r = −0.372; p < 0.001). According to the backward regression model used in the study, the women’s fatigue and education levels accounted for their body image by 45.7%.