Perceived Changes and Sexual Well-Being in the Post-Partum Period: A Dyadic Mixed-Method Study.

Abstract

The transition to parenthood often brings many changes to a couple's sexual life. Yet, most studies have focused exclusively on women's sexual difficulties, neglecting both partners' subjective experience of postpartum sexuality. Using a dyadic mixed-method design, the present study examined the qualitative perception of change in postpartum sexuality among both partners of mixed-sex couples and its associations with two waves of quantitative measures of sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and sexual intimacy. Both partners of 180 French-Canadian first-time parent couples completed online questionnaires during the second trimester of pregnancy and at four months postpartum. One open-ended question assessed the perceived changes in postpartum sexuality at four months. A thematic analysis revealed five main themes pertaining to postpartum sexual changes: (1) reorganizing sexuality around the baby; (2) modified sexual intimacy; (3) coping with pain or discomfort; (4) dealing with lower desire or desire discrepancy within the couple; and (5) living with changes in the woman's body. Quantitative analyses revealed that sexual function and sexual intimacy, but not sexual satisfaction, decreased between pregnancy and four months postpartum. Mixed findings indicate that postpartum sexuality extends beyond declines in sexual well-being, reflecting a complex experience shaped by relational processes such as intimacy, empathy, and adaptability.