The relationship between traumatic childbirth perception, desire to avoid pregnancy, and sexual quality of life in women

Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify factors influencing women's perceptions of traumatic childbirth (TCP) and to determine the relationship between TCP, desire to avoid pregnancy, and sexual quality of life.MethodsA descriptive and correlational research study was designed. Data were collected from 225 women aged between 18 and 45 years old. A Demographic Information Form, the Desire to Avoid Pregnancy Scale (DAP), the Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Female (SQLQ‐F), and the Perception of Traumatic Childbirth Scale (PTCS) were used for data collection.ResultsWomen who were not employed, had given birth previously, and did not plan their last pregnancy tended to have higher levels of TCP. Conversely, women who did not experience health problems in their last pregnancy and recalled their last childbirth as very comfortable and happy tended to have lower levels of TCP. A very weak, statistically significant, positive correlation was found between the mean DAP and PTCS scores (r = 0.168, P < 0.05). A very weak, statistically significant, negative correlation was found between the mean SQLQ‐F and PTCS sores (r = −0.138, P < 0.05). A 1‐unit increase in TCP was associated with a 0.005‐unit increase in the desire to avoid pregnancy and a 0.094‐unit decrease in sexual quality of life.ConclusionTCP in women is associated with an increase in the desire to avoid pregnancy and a decrease in sexual quality of life. It is recommended to identify women with high levels of TCP, determine factors contributing to this perception, and plan appropriate nursing interventions accordingly.