Postpartum sexuality: Can medical and healthcare professionals advise new mothers from a strengths-based, sex positive perspective?

Giving birth can have intense psychological and physiological effects (McDonald et al, 2018) which often significantly negatively impact womens' sense of self and mental health, including postnatal depression (Woolhouse et al, 2014). Partners also experience emotional changes with up to 50% of new fathers reporting paternal depression (Beck, 2001). Moreover, after childbirth couples typically spend less time together, experience more conflict, are less sexually active and experience a decline in marital and sexual satisfaction (Delicate et al, 2018). Lack of intimacy, including lack of sexual and sensual life, and infidelity can contribute to relationship breakdown in the early stages of parenthood (Ahlborg et al, 2008). Despite this, some women report improvements to intimacy (Olsson et al, 2005) and increased sexual activity (Williamson et al, 2008) postpartum. Utilizing qualitative methods this study will explore the subjective lived experience of postpartum sexuality (for women and their partners) and the perceived impact this has on mental well-being and relationship satisfaction. Following the 'relational turn' in social policy which has arisen in response to growing awareness of the negative impact of poor quality relationships or relationship breakdown on children's outcomes and the increased costs to the state associated with this (Marjoribanks and Davies, 2016), this research aims to explore the role of sexual intimacy in promoting and sustaining a positive transition to parenthood. Building on recommendation to target policy and practice interventions at key transition points (Cowan and Cowan, 2018), this research will inform the work of midwifes, social workers, healthcare advisors and sex and relationship therapists.