Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the postpartum period, changes in sexual desire and marital satisfaction can be
seen. Learning and giving enough information on changes in pregnancy and postpartum can help
to increase marital satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of prenatal
training on the level of postpartum marital satisfaction in nulliparous women.
METHODS: This study is a semi‑experimental two‑group study in which 150 nulliparous women were
divided into two groups: control and intervention groups. The samples into intervention group received
routine prenatal care and eight sessions of prenatal education with a training package (educational
pamphlet on sexual health and sexual issues and an educational CD on pregnancy and pelvic
exercises), and the control group received only routine prenatal care along with a pregnancy education
pamphlet. Marital satisfaction was measured before intervention during pregnancy and 3 months
after delivery (after intervention) using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale. Data were analyzed
using t‑test, paired t‑test, Mann–Whitney, and Chi‑square test.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in demographic and obstetric variables and pregnancy
status between the two intervention and control groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference
in marital satisfaction during pregnancy between the two groups (before intervention) (P > 0.05).
However, there was a significant difference in the level of postpartum marital satisfaction in the
intervention group (P < 0/05). So that, the average marital satisfaction is increased from 52.2 to 64.6.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that eight sessions of prenatal education class with a
training package (educational pamphlet on sexual health and sexuality and training CD of prenatal
and pelvic floor exercise) can improve postpartum marital satisfaction in women.
Keywords
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