Exploring postpartum sexual experiences of Muslim women in two different cultural contexts: A qualitative study with implications for midwifery care
Midwifery, cilt.158, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 158
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.midw.2026.104785
- Dergi Adı: Midwifery
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Muslim women, Sexual health, Partner support, Postnatal practices, Culture and religion, Qualitative study
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: To explore how Muslim women living in Türkiye and Denmark perceive and experience postpartum sexuality, and to identify factors shaping these experiences within different cultural and healthcare contexts relevant to postpartum care. Design: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed using semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The study included 20 primiparous Muslim women (Türkiye n = 10; Denmark n = 10) aged 18 years and over, within the first year postpartum, who had experienced uncomplicated vaginal births and were married or living with a partner. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings: Four main themes emerged: (1) adjustment to postpartum sexuality, characterised by pain, fatigue, vaginal dryness, and body image changes; (2) restructuring of the partner relationship, with partner support influencing sexual readiness and experiences; (3) the influence of religious and cultural norms, shaping meanings, expectations, and behaviours related to sexuality; and (4) the impact of the health system, including limited the absence of routine sexual health assessment in postpartum care, insufficient counselling, and women's reluctance to seek professional support. Conclusions and implications for practice: Postpartum sexual experiences are shaped by a complex interaction of physical changes, partner dynamics, cultural and religious norms, and healthcare practices. Midwives should take an active role in initiating discussions on postpartum sexuality, provide culturally sensitive counselling, and integrate sexual health assessment as a routine and ongoing component of postpartum care.