Our survey showed a high level of morbidity among the respondents. Half (513) believed that their sex life was "less good" than it had been before the birth of their child. Pain was the most quoted reason for this (116 women) and had often persisted a long time after the birth. The respondents thought that doctors either dismissed or failed to recognise their problems, and comments about untreated morbidity were common (for example, "penetration now makes me feel like I'm about to inadvertently pass a stool" and "a major episiotomy made sex impossible for over a year"). Loss of libido and vaginal dryness associated with breast feeding were also common problems, about which the women believed that they (and their doctors) had little knowledge.The women were largely unprepared for the sexual problems and physical changes they had experienced-an interesting finding, given that the respondents were largely middle class and educated and had attended additional antenatal classes run by the National Childbirth Trust. Only a small minority of the respondents had been given information about postnatal sexual health by health professionals before the birth of their baby, and after the birth discussion about resuming their sex life revolved mainly around contraception.We agree with the author of the personal view that there are many times in the postnatal period when women come into contact with health services and could be helped with postnatal sexual difficulties. Our concern, however, is that maternal and child health services focus more on the child than the mother and that health professionals do not always have the awareness, knowledge, and skills to deal with problems with postnatal sexual health.