Sexuality and Pregnancy An Interview Study

Summary: This paper reports the interview research which formed the basis for a large, recently completed study of sexuality and pregnancy by questionnaire. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 couples who presented at a large hospital antenatal clinic in the first trimester. Of these couples, 15 participated in second trimester interviews and 12 couples were interviewed between 38 and 40 weeks' gestation. The results showed a substantial decline in sexual interest amongst women that was not matched by their male partners but was reflected in a marked reduction in frequency of intercourse. The range of sexual activities also diminished during pregnancy. The majority (19 or 76%) regularly practised oral sex and 3 men (12%) regularly practised anal intercourse. A key observation is that 7 males (28%) did not always achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse per se.