Main description:

This first open-access book on midwifery and sexuality integrates sexual health into the care for the pregnant and postpartum couple. It addresses sexuality and intimacy from an education and prevention perspective instead of just focusing on treating problems, aiming to foster the development of sexual well-being and happy couplehood.

Sexuality and intimacy are essential elements in the bonding of the couple and the parents-to-be. That process can be seriously hampered by sexual problems due to mutual misunderstanding, fear and sexual troubles (especially when the natural processes of conceiving, pregnancy and delivery are disturbed). In this phase of life, disruption of intimacy, sexuality and sexual relationship is a significant risk factor for developing couple and family problems. The need for such a book stems from the very limited attention given to this health area in the daily practice of most midwives and related healthcare professionals. In building a close relationship with the couple through frequent, intense, longstanding contact, the midwife acquires a perfect position to address sexuality and intimacy.

With 36 authors from 14 countries, the book comprises five modules: 1. Sexuality; 2. Sexual aspects of the various phases of reproduction when things develop without complications; 3. Sexual aspects when those same phases deviate from physiology; 4. Special topics on sexuality relevant to daily midwifery practice; 5. Teaching, learning, skills and competencies with regard to sexuality. This new practical textbook guides healthcare professionals such as midwives, obstetricians, gynaecologists, nurses, general practitioners, pelvic floor therapists, etc., by offering both basic knowledge and skills on sexual health and wellbeing, combined with modern sexological knowledge, like the entirely new topic of sexual aspects of preconception care.

Contents:

Sexuality and Midwifery PrefaceIntroduction to the Book and Module 1
1 Sexuality redefined2 Relevant sexual anatomy, physiology and endocrinology 3 How sex works 4 The health benefits of sexuality
Introduction to Module 2: 'Nature taking its course'.
5 Sexual aspects of getting pregnant (conception and preconception)
6 Sexual aspects of pregnancy 7 Sexual aspects of labour and delivery 8 Sexual aspects of post partum and the first year of young parenthood 9 Sexual aspects of breast and lactation10 Sexual aspects of the female pelvic floor
Introduction to Module 3: 'Nature losing its way.'
11 Sexual aspects of fertility disturbances
12 Sexual aspects of high-risk and complicated pregnancy13 Sexual aspects of labour / delivery induced trauma14 Sexual aspects of problems postpartum & in the first year of young parenthood15 Sexual aspects of problematic lactation 16 Sexual aspects of pelvic floor disturbances17 Sexual aspects of mental health disturbances in pregnancy & postpartum18 Sexual aspects of physical health disturbances in pregnancy & postpartum
Introduction to Module 4: 'Special topics'
20 Sexual aspects of contraception21 Sex aspects of pregnancy & pp in non-mainstream orientation 22 Male experience(s) 23 Relevant (sexual) aspects of cultural differences24 Sexual effects of trauma experience on pregnancy and labour25 Relevant aspects of female genital mutilation
Introduction to Module 5: Skills and adaptations
26 Talking sexuality 27 Teaching and learning ; skills28 Various sexual consequences of interventions in midwifery practice 29 How sexual problems are managed (by other professionals)30 Midwifery of the future; a widening field of competences