Does the postpartum body image of primiparous women giving vaginal delivery affect their sexual functions and depression and fatigue levels?

Abstract

The body image-related problems can negatively affect women’s lives in many ways. The study was aimed at investigating the effects of postpartum body image on sexual functions, and fatigue and depression levels of primiparous women who gave birth vaginally. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 133 women who presented to the obstetrics and gynecology clinics of a state hospital in Turkey between June 2021 and December 2021. At the end of the study, a moderate relationship was determined between the women’s body image and their depression (r = 0.500; p < 0.001) and fatigue (r = 0.666; p < 0.001) levels, and a weak relationship between their body image and sexual functions (r = −0.372; p < 0.001). According to the backward regression model used in the study, the women’s fatigue and education levels accounted for their body image by 45.7%.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Body image is a very serious problem in the postpartum period.

• One of the leading variables affecting body image in the postpartum period is postpartum fatigue.

• Postpartum body image is closely related to postpartum depression and sexual functions.

Acknowledgments

The author sincerely thanks all the women who participated in the study and shared their feelings and thoughts.

Disclosure statement

There is no funding to declare in relation to this study. The named author doesn’t have any potential conflicts of interest, real or perceived.

Additional information

Funding

The author reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this manuscript.