A woman who is 30 weeks pregnant tells the nurse that she and her husband are having sexual difficulties.Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse can use the following guidelines concerning sexual activity:
Sex is generally considered safe in pregnancy.Abstinence should be recommended only for women who are at risk for preterm labor, multiple gestation, premature rupture of membranes, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or antepartum hemorrhage because of placenta previa.Some women worry about intercourse during pregnancy, fearing that it will cause miscarriage or harm to the baby.Sexual dissatisfaction of the couple may result from restrictions in sexual positions, pain on penetration, increased vaginal discharge, breast tenderness, or the other physical discomforts of pregnancy such as fatigue or heartburn.The couple's feeling about the woman's changing body may alter their sexual relationship.The nurse's first step in primary prevention intervention is to support the couple's needs and relate, in a sensitive fashion, accurate information that facilitates couple's intimacy during pregnancy.Asking her to elaborate on the difficulties allows the nurse to understand the root of the problem and develop an appropriate intervention.Giving the woman advice on position changes or body image may not be effective if it is not the cause of the difficulties.

A Woman Who Is 30 Weeks Pregnant Tells the Nurse