Effect of adaptation to postpartum period on the quality of sexual life of woman

Aim: This study has been designed to idently the factors effecting quality of sexual life of women while adopting the postpartum period. Method: Study ( group population) was consisted of 108 women who were living in the area of İzmir Bornova Naldöken Family Healt Center and in postpartum period of 3-12 months, with sexual life started and continving. Data were collected by interview using a questionnaire developed by the researchers, which defines the women's personel chonvetenitics, Postpartum Self Evaluation Questionnare (PSEQ) and Sexual Quality of Life Questionnare-Female (SQLQ-F). Data were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) sofware. Significance was decided to be p<0,05. Result: The average age of women participating in the study was 29.2 ± 5.6 (min: 19 max: 40). While 30.6% of women are university graduates, 74.1% of them do not work in a job generating income. The mean age at first pregnancy age was 24.31 ± 4.76 (min: 16 max: 37), and the mean pregnancy age was 2.16 ± 1.18 (min: 1 max: 8). While 77.8% of the last pregnancy was planned, 61.1% of them had cesarean section. The mean postpartum month of women was 5,63 ± 2,67 (min: 3 max: 12) and 89,8% breastfeeding their baby. The mean number of women having sexual intercourse during postpartum period was 2.28 ± 0.80 (min: 0 max: 6) and 17.6% stated that they had problems when they started having sexual intercourse after birth. Sexual Quality of Life Questionnare (SQLQ) The mean score of the women participating in the study was 77,18 ± 21,48 and median was 84,44 [5,56-100]. Postpartum Self Evaluation Questionnare (PSEQ) The mean score was 147,28 ± 36,62 and 140 [91-283]. When the averages of the individuals in the PSEQ dimensions were evaluated; The average quality of the relationship between spouses was 21,93 ± 7,32, the mean of the partners' view of participation in the baby care was 20,7 ± 8,15, the mean satisfaction level from the birth experience was 17,07 ± 5,32, 22,16 ± 7,02, the mean of the sub-dimension of trust in coping with maternity tasks is 25,3 ± 6,45, the mean score of satisfaction in maternity and newborn score is 20,01 ± 6,56 and the support for motherhood of family and friends is rated The mean was 20,11 ± 5,57. There was a negative weak correlation between SQLQ total score of women and sub-scale 1-2-4-7 and continuous variables between the first gestational age (p <0.05). As the first gestational age of women increases, SQLQ score decreases significantly and PSEQ score increases. In addition, women who live in the city, who have a university level of education, who have a high level of income and who do not have a consanguineous marriage have a significantly lower SQLQ score than women who have a high level of education, have a social security system, have a nuclear family, have no problems starting a breastfeeding process and a postpartum sexual intercourse. PSEQ score is significantly higher. This result shows that these women have better postpartum adaptation and sexual quality of life. When the relationship between the two scale total scores was evaluated by correlation, a negative significant correlation was obtained r = -0,608 (p <0,001). The lower the SQLQ score of women (the greater the adaptation to the postpartum period), the higher the PSEQ scores. Conclusion: This study revealed that adapting the postpartum period effects quality of sexual life in a positive way. I should be emphasized that, in the postpartum period evaluation of the adaptation and quality of sexual life by midwives, who are the closest health worker to the women because of neonatal and puerperal follow ups, is crucial. Knowledge and capability of midwives for sexual consultation should be supported by inservice training. At the same time flyers for this training should be provided. Key Words: Postpartum period; self evaluation; sexuality; quality of life