veNTIlATIoN - Green Cross Publishing

in practice
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parents should be encouraged to take advantage of any offers
of babysitting that come from family and friends so that they
can go out together or even grab a few moments to be loving
and close with each other. Mothers should be encouraged
to meet other mothers to chat, share experiences, exchange
information and build up social contacts.
Time is a factor for medical personnel but taking a proactive
role in spotting mothers with potential problems would help to
get them the care and support they need.
Awareness raising is important so that women realise that
they can get help, thus preventing long-term sexual problems
developing. Women should be encouraged women to use
their GP, practice nurse and public health nurse. The GP will
check if there are medical problems that are contributing to the
difficulties.
If medical problems are ruled out, the woman and her
partner should be given the opportunity to familiarise
themselves with the advice and help available through
psychosexual therapy services.
Antenatal classes
An ideal opportunity to provide information to mothers and
their partners is during antenatal classes rather than the
postnatal period when adaptation to parenthood takes up their
entire enegy and involves profound changes in their lives.
This would give them an opportunity to familiarise
themselves with information, clarify any queries and ask any
questions they might have. Equally important, it would give
them the opportunity to discuss together how they as a couple
will manage the changes and challenges of parenthood while
keeping intimacy at the core of their relationship.
Psychosexual therapy
Briefly, psychosexual therapy offers help for people with sexual
problems. Some sexual problems are purely physical and some
are purely psychological. Many are a combination of both.
Psychosexual therapists are trained counsellors or medical
professionals who have undertaken special training to deal
with issues associated with sexual functioning. It’s not a
newfangled idea it has been in use for well over forty years.
Most referrals come from counsellors, GPs and other medical
professionals. Self-referrals are also welcome. Although the
likelihood that someone will consult a psychosexual therapist
has increased, many people still find it difficult to talk about
sex.
Therapist’s role
A woman may feel vulnerable and fragile post childbirth — a
warm caring supportive environment is important so that she
and her partner can build a comfort level to talk about their
difficulties. They both need to be assured that these problems
are normal, treatable and that they don’t have to live with them
for the rest of their lives.
Initially, the therapist will explain the process, give the couple
an opportunity to familiarise themselves with alternative
ways of addressing problems, clarify any issues and ask any
questions they may have.
The therapist will then get information about the sexual
problem and if she/he thinks that they could benefit from
pyschosexual therapy, an individual treatment plan will be
prepared to suit their individual needs.
Both partners are encouraged to attend sessions, but a
woman can attend and benefit from the treatment plan as an
individual. Attendance at sessions and the material discussed is
confidential.
Those who decide that a programme may suit their needs
will set their own goals at the beginning of therapy and will
work at their own pace until they are happy with what they
have achieved.
There is no physical examination and the work assigned
takes place in the privacy of one’s own home.
summary
Nearly one in three women still experience painful sexual
intercourse a year after their baby is born and more than
half have at least one sex related problem, according to
research.
Some recovery time is to be expected. Adjustment to
recovery and healing involves a process that does not follow a
set timetable with a specific deadline.
If problems persist, it is important to encourage the
couple to talk to a professional — practice nurse, GP , PHN
or psychosexual therapist. Antenatal classes are an ideal
opportunity to raise awareness, normalise and give information
to mothers and their partners.
reference
1. The prevalence of enduring
postnatal perineal morbidity
and its relationship to type
of birth and birth risk factors.
Williams et al. Journal of Clinical
Nursing. 16,549-561. (March
2007).