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.

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. Whereas pregnant women, tend to have many questions about the safety of sexual contact, they almost never openly raise those questions, hoping that the professional will initiate that conversation. Since sexuality is also virtually absent from most midwifery curricula, the book services as well as a textbook for upcoming maternity professionals

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.
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, such as the entirely new topic of sexual aspects of preconception care.

Contents:

chapters Sexuality and Midwifery 0-1 General introduction editors Mod. 1 Basic Information 1-1 Introduction editors 1-2 Sexuality redefined. BE 1-3 Relevant sexual anatomy, physiology and endocrinology SI 1-4 How sex works BE 1-5 How / when sex isn't working BE 1-6 The health benefits of sexuality NL 1-7 Talking sexuality. BE
Mod. 2 Nature taking its course 2-1 Introduction editors 2-2 Sexual aspects of getting pregnant (conception and preconception) NL 2-3 Sexual aspects of pregnancy NL 2-4 Sexual aspects of labour / delivery AU SE 2-5 Sexual aspects of post partum and the first year of young parenthood UK 2-6 Sexual aspects of breast and lactation NL NL 2-7 Sexual aspects of the female pelvic floor NL NL
Mod. 3 Nature losing its way 3-1 Introduction editors 3-2 Sexual aspects of fertility disturbances CH 3-3 Sexual aspects of high-risk and complicated pregnancy US 3-4 Sexual aspects of labour / delivery induced trauma SI SI3-5 Sexual aspects of problems PP & in the first year of young parenthood BE 3-6 Sexual aspects of problematic lactation NL BE 3-7 Sexual aspects of pelvic floor disturbances NL 3-8 Sexual aspects of mental health disturbances in pregnancy & PP NL 3-9 Sexual aspects of physical health disturbances in pregnancy & PP NL
Mod. 4 Special Topics 4-1 Introduction editors 4-2 Sexual aspects of contraception CH 4-3 Sex aspects of pregnancy & pp in non-mainstream orientation (lesbian) DK NO 4-4 Male experience(s) BE 3.500 4-5 Relevant (sexual) aspects of cultural differences BE 4-6 Sexual effects of trauma experience on pregnancy and labour BE 4-7 Relevant aspects of female genital mutilation FR/BE Mod. 5 Skills, adaptations, etc 5-1 Introduction editors 5-2 Teaching and learning ; skills SI 5-3 Relevant midwife competences in regard to sexuality BE 5-4 Various sexual consequences of interventions in midwifery practice NZ 5-5 How sexual problems are managed (by other professionals) BE 5-6 Sex.effects of various medication / drugs used in midwifery practice BE