title: Sexual Activity during Pregnancy in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnancy is a special period in a woman's life that involves physical and mental changes. These changes are influenced by cultural, social, religious, and emotional factors among others.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this article were to gather information, to describe the changes and behavior of sexual experiences in pregnancy, and to identify the reasons why pregnant women from central Taiwan decrease coital frequency during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This phenomenological qualitative research was intended to respond to open-ended questions that allowed the respondents to elaborate on the individuals' experiences. We collected data from in-depth, tape-recorded, and semi-structured interviews conducted in a cross-sectional study of 62 healthy pregnant women. The investigation ended when three consecutive interviewed subjects could not offer any new activities, which indicated that the study had reached its saturation point.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed data collection and content analysis to ensure standards of rigor and reliability. Credibility was enhanced by prolonged engagement, triangulation, referential adequacy, member checking, and expert review; we categorized meaningful unit-codes in a mutually exclusive and exhaustive manner into perceptions, experiences, and practices such that common themes were grouped into categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  THREE THEMES EMERGED: negative aspects of sexual experiences; stress and emotional responses; and changes in sexual practices. The majority of the women stopped engaging in coital activities during pregnancy. We determined that in most cases, the 62 participants obtained information regarding sexual activity during pregnancy from postpartum women and the Internet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current evidence-based findings encourage the provision of sexuality education to newlyweds and the discussion of sex-related issues during pregnancy. We propose developing strategies for increasing sexual knowledge and focusing on emotional support to decrease pregnant women's anxiety regarding sexuality in Taiwan. Liu HL, Hsu P, and Chen KH. Sexual activity during pregnancy in Taiwan: A qualitative study. Sex Med 2013;1:54-61.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsin-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: The First National Taichung Senior High School Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pohan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuang-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: Content Analysis; Pregnancy; Qualitative Study; Sexual Intercourse; Taiwan