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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Experiences and attitudes behind the conscious delay of sexual activity after birth
1
Medical Univeristy of Gdansk, Department of Obstetrical and Gynaecological Nursing- Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Gdańsk, Poland
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A565
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The postpartum period represents a critical time for intimate relationships, yet factors influencing women's decisions to consciously delay resuming sexual activity after childbirth remain poorly known. Understanding these determinants is essential for healthcare providers supporting women's reproductive health and relationship well-being during the postpartum transition.
OBJECTIVES:
To identify predictive factors associated with conscious postponement of first sexual intercourse after childbirth and develop a statistical model explaining this behavioral decision among postpartum women.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 350 postpartum women (1-12 months) in committed relationships. Data were collected using a custom questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Polish version), examining childbirth experiences, emotional responses, and sexual activity during pregnancy and postpartum. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify optimal predictive models.
RESULTS:
The analyses enabled presentation of a predictive model that includes three independent variables with statistically significant influence (p<0.000001). Model fit was modest (R²Pseudo=0.12, R²Nagelkerke=0.20, R²Cox-Snell=0.15) with good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p=0.42). Three factors significantly increased odds of conscious sexual postponement: more negative birth experience evaluation (OR=1.55, 95%CI[1.00;2.41]), higher frequency of sexual activity after previous births (OR=1.14, 95%CI[1.03;1.27]), and greater need for self-respect (OR=1.31, 95%CI[1.07;1.60]).
CONCLUSIONS:
Women's conscious decisions to postpone postpartum sexual activity are influenced by their birth experience evaluation, previous postpartum sexual patterns, and self-esteem needs. These findings suggest that negative birth experiences and higher self-respect needs contribute to deliberate delays in sexual resumption.
KEY MESSAGE:
Negative birth experiences and the need for self-respect play a significant role in women's postpartum sexual decisions. Previous postpartum sexual patterns may influence sexual behavior after subsequent births and should be discussed in perinatal care. Midwives and medical staff should consider both emotional and sexual aspects of birth experience when caring for patients. Poster session 2 (Group A)
The postpartum period represents a critical time for intimate relationships, yet factors influencing women's decisions to consciously delay resuming sexual activity after childbirth remain poorly known. Understanding these determinants is essential for healthcare providers supporting women's reproductive health and relationship well-being during the postpartum transition.
OBJECTIVES:
To identify predictive factors associated with conscious postponement of first sexual intercourse after childbirth and develop a statistical model explaining this behavioral decision among postpartum women.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 350 postpartum women (1-12 months) in committed relationships. Data were collected using a custom questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Polish version), examining childbirth experiences, emotional responses, and sexual activity during pregnancy and postpartum. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify optimal predictive models.
RESULTS:
The analyses enabled presentation of a predictive model that includes three independent variables with statistically significant influence (p<0.000001). Model fit was modest (R²Pseudo=0.12, R²Nagelkerke=0.20, R²Cox-Snell=0.15) with good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p=0.42). Three factors significantly increased odds of conscious sexual postponement: more negative birth experience evaluation (OR=1.55, 95%CI[1.00;2.41]), higher frequency of sexual activity after previous births (OR=1.14, 95%CI[1.03;1.27]), and greater need for self-respect (OR=1.31, 95%CI[1.07;1.60]).
CONCLUSIONS:
Women's conscious decisions to postpone postpartum sexual activity are influenced by their birth experience evaluation, previous postpartum sexual patterns, and self-esteem needs. These findings suggest that negative birth experiences and higher self-respect needs contribute to deliberate delays in sexual resumption.
KEY MESSAGE:
Negative birth experiences and the need for self-respect play a significant role in women's postpartum sexual decisions. Previous postpartum sexual patterns may influence sexual behavior after subsequent births and should be discussed in perinatal care. Midwives and medical staff should consider both emotional and sexual aspects of birth experience when caring for patients. Poster session 2 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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