Abstract

An exploratory study was designed to find out what questions mothers had about postnatal sexuality. A questionnaire was prepared by the nurse researcher to find out answers to the following questions.

  1. What specific questions do mothers have about sexual relations following delivery?
  2. Do mothers feel free to initiate discussion about resumption of intercourse following delivery?
  3. Do mothers like their husbands to be included in the discussion?
  4. When do mothers prefer to receive information regarding sexual relationships following delivery?

The questionnaire was mailed to fifty primipara mothers between three and four weeks after delivery. Mothers with pronounced anemia, heart and lung problems history of mental breakdown within three years prior to pregnancy psychiatric consultation during pregnancy malignancy in reproductive system and those who required two weeks or more hospitalization for complications were considered as high risk mothers and were excluded from the sample. Twenty-four questionnaires were completed and analyzed.

The data revealed that culture, religion and race did not have marked influence either on the type or number of questions mothers had. Age and education appeared to have some influence, the younger and the least and highly educated mothers specifying less questions regarding sexual relations following delivery. All mothers indicated that they had some questions about sexuality.

Most mothers preferred professionals as a source for getting correct and scientific information and indicated they would appreciate physicians and nurses to initiate the discussion. A majority of the mothers were concerned about having their husbands in the discussion mainly to decrease uncertainties between them. Most mothers wish to have the information before they leave the hospital. Almost all mothers had questions related to the possible effects of sexual relations if resumed earlier than four to six weeks and were concerned to know how soon they could resume sexual relations following delivery.

Through the study it was concluded that there is a great need for the mothers to have more information in this area.

LLU Discipline

Nursing

Department

Nursing

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Clarice W. Woodward

Second Advisor

Marilyn C. Kueffner

Third Advisor

S. Alberta Mazat

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1974

Date (Title Page)

9-1974

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Puerperium; Sexual Behavior

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vi; 58

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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