Fernández-Fernández, María José
de Medina-Moragas, Alejandro Jesús http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1552-3579
Funding for this research was provided by:
Universidad de Sevilla
Article History
Received: 27 December 2023
Accepted: 24 March 2024
First Online: 13 April 2024
Declarations
:
: The authors report no actual or potential conflicts of interest.
: Having read and approved the final version of the paper, all authors certify that they have participated sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for the content, including participation in the concept, design, analysis, writing, and/or revision of the manuscript. Furthermore, each author certifies that this material or similar material has not been and will not be submitted to or published in any other publication before its appearance in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
: We sought guidance from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Cáceres province. Following a comprehensive assessment of our study design and methodology, the CEIC determined that our research, which utilized an anonymized database and did not entail any direct intervention or interaction with the participants, was exempt from formal ethical approval. All participants were required to provide informed consent prior to participating in the study, and were informed of the study’s purpose and nature. This research was not financially supported by any public, commercial, or non-profit organizations. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. All procedures conducted in studies involving human participants were conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines set forth by the institutional research committee and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its subsequent amendments.
: In the future, this study’s findings can be used to formulate hypotheses that address its limitations. For example, further research could include a control group of women without tears or episiotomy, and expand the sample size. It is apparent that couples may experience anxiety when resuming sexual activity following episiotomy or tearing. Therefore, it is important for midwives to evaluate sexual function during postpartum care to assist couples. Midwives who assess postpartum sexual function should prioritize several key aspects. These include specialized training in sexual health, creating a confidential and comfortable environment for discussion, obtaining informed consent from women, using validated questionnaires to assess sexual function, initiating open-ended discussions to encourage participation, maintaining a non-judgmental approach throughout the process, addressing prevalent concerns sensitively and effectively, and providing educational resources to support women’s understanding of their own sexuality after childbirth. In addition, it is essential for midwives to develop a standardized process for referring patients to specialized care when needed and arrange personalized follow-up appointments. It is also important for midwives to approach postpartum sexuality with cultural sensitivity when working with diverse populations facing challenges in this area. Thorough documentation of all interactions should be maintained while ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of the women. Providing comprehensive care includes addressing sexual health concerns, and midwives can utilize research findings to provide appropriate guidance on resuming sexual activity after various types of perineal injuries, considering individual recovery times. Informing women about the anticipated timeline for resuming sexual intercourse, specifically in relation to spontaneous tears and episiotomies, can assist them in establishing realistic expectations and reducing their anxiety. In light of this, midwives can tailor postpartum care plans based on whether a woman has experienced a tear or has undergone an episiotomy. For example, additional check-ups or supplementary resources may be offered to women who have undergone an episiotomy, as they may require more time before feeling comfortable engaging in sexual activity again. Emphasizing the emotional dimension, this study highlights the importance of providing emotional support during the postpartum period. Midwives have the opportunity to collaborate with psychologists and therapists to provide emotional support for women experiencing difficulties in postpartum sexual recovery. By facilitating open dialogue, midwives can encourage women to have honest conversations with their partners regarding their fears, expectations, and boundaries regarding sexual activity after childbirth. This collaborative approach has the potential to enhance couples’ relationships and help them manage their expectations. Furthermore, these findings may provide valuable insights for future research on interventions aimed at assisting women in resuming sexual activities comfortably and efficiently. In clinical practice, midwives should consider individualized interventions based on educational background, marital status, and breastfeeding status. Recognizing that the process of sexual recovery is dynamic in nature, it is important for midwives to routinely identify emerging issues and address them accordingly.