Sex education in pregnancy: does it exist? A literature review

Abstract

For almost fifteen years the author has helped women and couples to prepare for childbirth, both physically and emotionally, as a therapist and doula. She has witnessed a variety of social circumstances, both natural and high-tech birth experiences and hundreds of couples making the transition to parenthood. In this context, it became to increasingly apparent over time that sexuality in pregnancy was a particularly repressed subject in the United Kingdom, not just within the couple dynamic but also amongst maternity healthcare providers. There is still little support or education offered to the pregnant or post-natal couple to help to normalize their concerns and fears about the changes in their sexual relationship. Indeed there is comparatively little research done about sex in pregnancy or the impact of sexuality on childbirth (Foux, 2008). This review aims to firstly explore what currently exists versus what is needed within the healthcare system to support and sexually educate the pregnant couple through the transition to parenthood. In particular, the role of the health provider in the communication and normalization of sexuality in pregnancy will be discussed as well as issues regarding how to make this service more effective and available to the general public. Secondly, the impact of “missed” sexual dysfunction in pregnancy will be considered and the long-term implications with regard to child birth, relationship longetivity and the provision of positive sexual role models for children. The review will further explore how the maternity healthcare service could become a more integrated resource for its clients (Foux, 2007).