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ABSTRACT: The transition to parenthood is a period of both joy and challenge for most parents. There is a recognized need to support parents during this period, yet existing interventions have shown limited evidence of efficacy. This study takes a consumer‐focused approach to examine the needs and preferences of parents both prenatally (n = 77) and postnatally (n = 123) for parenting support. The study used a cross‐sectional design with a purpose‐built online survey. Parents were recruited via online forums, Facebook and parenting blogs, childcare centers, and playgroups. In general, all parents were satisfied with their current levels of both formal and informal support, and about one fourth of parents had accessed a parenting intervention. Parents expressed a moderate level of interest in additional parenting information, and parents expecting their first baby indicated preferences for information about basic baby care needs whereas postnatally, parents expressed more interest in topics around self‐care and behavior management. The implications for developing interventions and engaging families are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé De la conception de l’enfant jusqu’aux premières années de sa vie, les jeunes femmes et leurs partenaires subissent en général une diminution nette de leur activité sexuelle, les contraintes de la parentalité pesant lourdement sur la relation de couple. En règle générale, les difficultés sexuelles persistant après le 6 e mois du postpartum, et non liées à une dépression latente ou un mauvais état de santé doivent faire évoquer une dégradation de la qualité de la relation conjugale, et l’insatisfaction de la jeune femme face à l’engagement de son partenaire dans la vie familiale. De nombreux paramètres peuvent aussi intervenir lorsque les troubles du désir persistent, comme la fatigue, une mauvaise acceptation de son corps ou la diminution de désir du partenaire, lui aussi confronté à un remaniement de son statut. Dans l’ensemble, les femmes se plaignant de difficultés sexuelles avant la grossesse retrouvent leurs mêmes difficultés inchangées après la grossesse. Dans tous les cas, une information éclairée permet d’éviter la rupture d’intimité lors de la grossesse et maintient la continuité du partage charnel et du plaisir, même lorsque la pénétration n’est pas possible. From the child conception to the early years of life, couples generally present less sexual activity. Parenthood constraints are a burden for the couple's relationships. Generally, persistent sexual difficulties six months after delivery, despite those generated by depression or altered health raise the question of an alteration in the quality of the couple's relationships and lack of satisfaction of the mother with her partner's involvement in family life. Numerous parameters can be implied, especially with persistent trouble of desire, such as fatigue, body image problems and libido lessening of the partner due to modifications of his status. Women who presented sexual difficulties before pregnancy remain the same. In all cases, appropriate information can avoid the intimacy's difficulties and contribute to maintain pleasure and intimacy even when vaginal penetration remains difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to parenthood has sparked innumerable studies that primarily stress the attrition of the conjugal relationship following the birth of the child. Recent assessments and studies in the field have somewhat qualified this judgment, and have emphasized rather the diversity of perceptions by subgroup, based on new paradigms built on the notion of complexity. The present article is the result of a life-story research activity involving some thirty couples living together in de facto or marital relationships. The couples were selected so as to cover a diversity of environments, of professions and of cultural backgrounds. The analysis of their life-stories, intersected with an account of the time they have lived together prior to having or planning to have (or not to have) children makes it possible to explore the changes experienced by the couples during such transition, grounded in a life-story approach.

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The intimate and sexual dimension of future and new parenting couples' relationship is the most affected and the most vulnerable during the transition to parenthood. The purpose of this scoping review is to present the portrait of perinatal sexuality through 123 empirical articles published in the last 15 years. This second article in a series of two is about sexuality during labor and birth, during the postpartum, and in relation to breastfeeding. A total of 29 sexual variables were analyzed. Sexuality during the intrapartal and postnatal periods is very diversified. Some recurring items, however, can be identified: a period of non-sexuality in the first postnatal months, followed by a gradual return of sexuality from 3 to 6 months postpartum and continuing until 12 months or more. Sexuality during the intrapartum is considered taboo and couples' experiences can be at opposite ends: some couples' experiences are sensual and erotic during childbirth, while others experience birth trauma with a negative sexual impact postnatally. Sexuality during breastfeeding is also taboo with a negative impact on women's sexuality. In all of these circumstances, women's and men's sexuality are affected and a multitude of simultaneous physiological and psychological factors affect their experiences. Fluctuations in the intimate and sexual dimensions of the conjugal relationship are considered as a natural phenomenon but temporary. Sexoperinatal interventions should be part of holistic perinatal health care in order to help couples maintain a positive intimate and sexual relationship., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The intimate and sexual dimension of future and new parenting couples' relationship is the most affected and the most vulnerable during the transition to parenthood; couples must adapt to support their relationship and their families. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify the literature that has been published on perinatal sexuality in the last 15 years. A total of 123 empirical articles were selected. This first article of a series of two is about sexuality during pregnancy. In addition to painting a picture from the chosen articles, 23 prenatal sexual variables were analyzed. The combined data present a diversified portrait of perinatal sexuality during pregnancy: the intimate and sexual experience varies during this period. Despite some exceptions, a certain tendency towards a gradual and progressive decline in most sexual behaviors and overall sexual expression during pregnancy was noted, with a marked decrease in early pregnancy and during the third trimester. Women are particularly affected by a greater number of sexual changes, but men are too. Many simultaneous physiological and psychological factors affect the sexual expression of the couples. Sexual fluctuations are a natural phenomenon during the transition to parenthood; couples must adjust to the new conditions and to the changes associated with sexuality during pregnancy, which are considered temporary. Sexoperinatal interventions should be a part of holistic perinatal health care in order to help couples maintain an intimate relationship and a healthy and positive sexual life., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

From the child conception to the early years of life, couples generally present less sexual activity. Parenthood constraints are a burden for the couple's relationships. Generally, persistent sexual difficulties six months after delivery, despite those generated by depression or altered health raise the question of an alteration in the quality of the couple's relationships and lack of satisfaction of the mother with her partner's involvement in family life. Numerous parameters can be implied, especially with persistent trouble of desire, such as fatigue, body image problems and libido lessening of the partner due to modifications of his status. Women who presented sexual difficulties before pregnancy remain the same. In all cases, appropriate information can avoid the intimacy's difficulties and contribute to maintain pleasure and intimacy even when vaginal penetration remains difficult., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)