Abstract
Sexual behavior during pregnancy was investigated in an Israeli population. Questionnaires were given to 350 women, 2–4 days following a normal pregnancy and uncomplicated vaginal delivery, concerning their sexual behavior in the year before and during each trimester of pregnancy. Of these, 91 refused to participate (mostly religious patients), and 40 questionnaires were incomplete, leaving 219 women eligible for the study. There was a gradual decline in libido, coital frequency, and orgasm during the pregnancy, most marked during the third trimester. Dyspareunia was common, increasing to 50% in the third trimester. More women initiated sex during pregnancy. The frequencies of oral and anal sex and masturbation were unchanged throughout pregnancy. Accurate information on sexuality during pregnancy should be provided to the patient by clinic staff in order to disperse myths and mistaken religious and social teachings that have perpetuated ignorance on the subject.