The Importance of Religiosity/Spirituality in the Sexuality of Pregnant and Postpartum Women.
In this article, we decided to study the representation of the Spanish pregnant and postpartum women and the importance of religiosity/spirituality and the social context for them. We analyzed the influence of religion on the woman within her social context.


OBJECTIVE
to understand how pregnant and postpartum women experience their sexuality according to their religious beliefs and the opinion of others from a socially learned perspective.


METHODS
qualitative study using ethnography. This study aims at understanding reality from the women's point of view, acknowledging that the points of view are constructed through interaction with others, through cultural and historical norms that influence the lives of individuals.


RESULTS
The findings indicate a difference in the religious beliefs and sexual behaviors of these women, which is more marked in urban than rural areas. Mothers have an influence on their daughters, conditioning their behavior. Conclusion We conclude that the process of change is underway. However, some paradoxes still persist concerning the sexual roles to be adopted, as well as some contradictions between sexual behaviors and the statements on religion. Within the scope of our study, we can confirm that pregnant and postpartum women are more or less pressured by the religious and social norms conveyed by their mothers, mainly in rural settings. From an external point of view, to be sexually free goes against the maternal and social expectations. However, the internal representation, marked by religion, that has been experienced over the years does not change the narratives of sexual experiences, assigning women to traditional role. This role brings conflict more or less assumed by women.
Departamento de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Terapia Ocupacional, Escuela de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Campus Toledo, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Toledo, España.
Sagrario Gómez
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9640-0409
SG
Cantarino
Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing, Nursing School of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
José Manuel de Matos
JM
Pinto
Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing, Nursing School of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Joana Alice da Silva Amaro de Oliveira
JA
Fabião
Departamento de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Terapia Ocupacional, Escuela de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Campus Talavera de la reina, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Toledo España.
Ana Maria Carrobles
AM
García
Departamento de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Terapia Ocupacional, Escuela de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Campus Toledo, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Toledo, España.
Minerva Velasco
MV
Abellán
Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing, Nursing School of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Manuel Alves
MA
Rodrigues
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012067:Religion; D012424:Rural Population; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D013030:Spain; D029181:Spirituality; D014505:Urban Population