title: Investigation of the sexual behavior of pregnant women residing in squatter neighborhoods in southwestern Turkey: a qualitative study.
abstract: The authors designed this study in order to understand changes in sexual behavior during pregnancy. The sample comprised 26 healthy women who were in at least their 37th week of pregnancy. The authors collected data through in-depth individual interviews. Participants reported the following most common reasons for ceasing sexual intercourse in the final stages of pregnancy: (a) physical discomfort during sex, (b) belief that it could be physically harmful to the fetus, (c) belief that it is sinful according to Islamic injunctions, (d) belief that the baby will be born "stained" because of the misperception of vernix caseosa as sperm, and (e) changes in sexual life at the recommendation of health professionals.
authors.affiliation: Antalya School of Health, Department of Maternity and Gynecological Nursing, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. bhatice@akdeniz.edu.tr
authors.forename: Hatice Balci
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Yangin
authors.forename: Kafiye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eroğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult