Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a special period in a woman's life that involves physical and mental changes. This study aimed at evaluating woman's sexual experience in pregnancy. METHODS: Cross sectional study design. We collected data pertaining to pregnant women's sexual behaviour via a questionnaire from 171 healthy pregnant women. Responses were summarised and comparisons were made between trimesters of pregnancy and primigravidae and multigravidae. RESULTS: We studied various aspects such as marriage related information, factors affecting sexual activity, frequency of sexual activity across trimesters, causes for abstinence of sexual activity in primigravidae and multigravidae. The majority of women perceived an overall decline in sexual desire progressively increasing in each trimester. None of the patients reported an increase in coital frequency. We determined that in 62 cases, the source of information regarding sexual activity during pregnancy was their partners. CONCLUSION: The authors encourage the provision of sexuality education to newlyweds and the resolution of sex-related concerns during pregnancy.