MODULE 1
A Healthy Beginning
c. Sexuality
Your sexuality is part of you. Since your life, your body, and your feelings change during your pregnancy, so do your sexual desires.
In most cases it is normal and without risk to have sexual relations. If your pregnancy is going well, sexual relations will not harm the baby.
However, the health care provider may advise you to avoid sexual relations in the following situations:
- If your placenta is attached on the lower part of your uterus near the cervix. This situation is referred to as placenta previa.
- If your cervix opened too soon during a previous pregnancy. This situation is referred to as cervical incompetence.
- If you had premature labour without a reason during a previous pregnancy.
- If there is a possibility that you could go into labour too soon or have a miscarriage.
- If your water has broken.
- If you or your partner has an infection including sexually transmitted infections (STI)
If your health care provider advises you to avoid sexual relations, don't forget to ask when you can begin having sexual relations again.
It is normal that your sexual desires as well as your partner's sexual desires change during your pregnancy. Many things can influence you and your partner's attitude regarding sex. The best thing to do is to talk to each other and try to understand each other's feelings.
Test Your Knowledge
|
The following exercise will answer many questions you may have about sexuality during pregnancy.
Click on the option button that matches the correct answer and validate your answer by clicking on the «Check» button.
1 |
During pregnancy sexual relations with penetration |
2 |
During the three first months of pregnancy, the woman's sexual desires |
3 |
During pregnancy, the man's sexual desires |
4 |
If you do not feel like making love during pregnancy, the best thing to do is |
5 |
For the pregnant woman, the best time to appreciate sexual relations is usually |
6 |
Near the end of the pregnancy when the belly becomes too large, the best thing to do is |
b. Violence Against Women
Violence against women often begins during the first pregnancy. All forms of violence can be harmful and must be taken seriously.
There are different types of violence. The following table will help you recognize the different types.
A woman victim of violence can feel anxious, depressed, have little self-esteem, take drugs and alcohol, have difficulty sleeping and lose her appetite.
Physical aggressions during pregnancy can cause serious injuries to the mother and bring about a premature birth or a low birth weight baby. The baby could also have broken bones or a hemorrhage. Certain mothers have lost their babies following physical violence.
If you are a victim of violence during your pregnancy, you probably feel alone. You need help immediately.
Nobody deserves to be treated badly, certainly not your baby. Talk to someone about your feelings and concerns. This person may be your health care provider, a public health nurse, a member of the clergy, or anybody you trust can help you.
C. FEELINGS OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN
Pregnancy is a period of growth and changes. Your body changes and so do your feelings.
You may notice that your feelings change often and sometimes very quickly. You will have emotional ups and downs. One minute you will feel happy and the next minute you will feel depressed. These mood swings can be surprising but are normal reactions to all the changes that occur during pregnancy.
a. Sharing Your Feelings
Pregnancy is a normal step in life, but it is also a time when you have to face many changes. Even if you and your partner are happy about the pregnancy, all these changes can be stressful for the couple.
If important events happen in your life that increase your level of stress, try to get outside help to decrease this stress.
Here are a few tips to decrease your level of stress.
Don't let your worries pile up. Talk about your problems and solve them before they take over. If you feel overwhelmed by certain events and can't find a solution, you may need professional help. For your well-being and the well-being of your baby, do not hesitate to ask for help.
2. Hazards in the Workplace
In certain workplaces, there are products or devices that can cause malformations or miscarriages. The most important sources of danger are chemicals, solvents, gases, metals, and radiation. If you have any concerns, consult your health care provider. It is up to you to inquire about the risks at your job.
You can also get information from your health and safety committee at work. If there is no committee in your workplace, this may be a good time to organize one with your colleagues.
1. Strenuous Work During Pregnancy
l. Pregnancy and Work
In most cases, you can continue working during your pregnancy. You may have to rest more and change certain things to be more comfortable at work.
Many women require more rest during the first three and the last three months of their pregnancy. If you can lay down a while on your side during your dinner hour or during the breaks, do it.
k. The Hazards in Your Environment
3. Mandatory Vaccination
If you intend to travel to a foreign country which requires certain vaccinations,consult the Canadian Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) in your area.
Tell them which country you intend on visiting and that you are pregnant. They will tell you if the vaccines you need are safe during pregnancy.
Travel Health: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index-eng.php