Sexuality of the Couple in Postpartum and Early Parenthood (1st Year)

AbstractThe first birth is a major life event for all involved parties: woman, partner (and couple). This chapter will address the relevant elements that together shape parenthood and couplehood. That process is somewhat different for the average woman and the average man. Many men more or less tend to return to their pre-pregnancy level of sexual desire rather quickly. On the other hand, many women need much more time before having consolidated in their new role as mothers, simultaneously reconsidering their role as sexual partners. The woman’s physical and sexual system has been adapted by the pregnancy, birth and hormonal changes, potentially resulting in periods of low or no sexual activity. Especially when breastfeeding, her low oestrogen levels keep the vagina atrophic, and her low androgen levels keep arousability low. Together those factors create a substantial risk of developing dyspareunia. Besides these physical aspects, the woman and her partner undergo great psychological adaptations in the post-partum period. This chapter will address how to optimally navigate this phase of ‘transition to parenthood’ and new couplehood.This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’, a Springer Nature open-access textbook for midwives and related healthcare professionals.