Is Mode of Delivery Associated With Sexual Response? A Pilot Study of Genital and Subjective Sexual Arousal in Primiparous Women With Vaginal or Cesarean Section Births

Abstract Background Women’s empowerment, and maternal and neonatal health are important targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. Our objective is to examine the relationship between women’s empowerment and elective cesarean section (ECS), focusing on Vietnam, a country where the use of CS has increased rapidly in recent decades, which raises public health concerns. Methods We hypothesized that in the context of the developing biomedicalization of childbirth, women’s empowerment increases the use of ECS due to a woman’s enhanced ability to decide her mode of delivery. By using microdata from the 2013–2014 Multiple Indicator Clusters Survey, we conducted a multivariate analysis of the correlates of ECS. We studied a representative sample of 1343 institutional single birth deliveries. Due to higher ECS rates among multiparous (18.4%) than primiparous women (10.1%) and the potential interaction between parity and other correlates, we used separate models for primiparous and multiparous women. Results Among the indicators of women’s external resources, which include a higher level of education, having worked during the previous 12 months, and having one’s own mobile phone, only education differed between primiparous and multiparous women, with a higher level among primiparous women. Among primiparous women, no resource indicator was significantly linked to ECS. However, considering women’s empowerment facilitated the identification of the negative impact of having had fewer than 3 antenatal care visits on the use of ECS. Among multiparous women, disapproval of intimate partner violence (IPV) was associated with a doubled likelihood of undergoing ECS (odds ratio = 2.415), and living in an urban area also doubled the likelihood of ECS. The positive association with living in the richest household quintile was no longer significant when attitude towards IPV was included in the model. In both groups, being aged 35 or older increased the likelihood of undergoing ECS, and this impact was stronger in primiparous women. Conclusions These results underline the multidimensionality of empowerment, its links to other correlates and its contribution to clarifying the influence of these correlates, particularly for distinguishing between medical and sociocultural determinants. The results advocate for the integration of women's empowerment into policies aimed at reducing ECS rates.

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Gender-specific genital and subjective sexual arousal to prepotent sexual stimuli in androphilic men and gynephilic women

The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality ◽

10.3138/cjhs.2021-0004 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. e20210004

Author(s):

Nina Micanovic ◽

Amanda D. Timmers ◽

Meredith L. Chivers

Keyword(s):

Sexual Arousal ◽

Specific Pattern ◽

Sexual Response ◽

Sex Characteristics ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Specific Response ◽

Response Patterns ◽

Sexual Stimuli ◽

Subjective Sexual Arousal ◽

Gender Specific

Marked differences have been found in men’s and women’s sexual response patterns, contingent upon their sexual orientation; androphilic (attracted to men) and gynephilic (attracted to women) men demonstrate greatest genital and self-reported arousal to their preferred stimulus type (a “gender-specific” response), whereas androphilic women do not, and findings for gynephilic women have been mixed. While there have been many investigations into gynephilic men’s and androphilic women’s (i.e., heterosexual men/women) sexual response, there has been less investigation into the specificity of sexual response of androphilic men and gynephilic women. Given the complex nature of sexual stimuli that are used in sexual response research, it is often unclear to what extent contextual cues (e.g., cues other than the sexual actor’s primary and secondary sex characteristics, such as physical attractiveness, sexual activity, etc.) influence participants’ sexual response patterns. As such, the current study examined genital, discrete self-reported, and continuous self-reported responses of androphilic men ( n = 22) and gynephilic women ( n = 10) to prepotent sexual features (stimuli thought to elicit automatic sexual arousal: erect penises and exposed vulvas), non-prepotent sexual features (flaccid penises and pubic triangles) and neutral stimuli (clothed men and women). Both samples exhibited a gender-specific pattern of genital, self-reported, and continuous self-reported sexual arousal. Similarly, all measures of sexual arousal were generally found to be greatest to “prepotent” sexual cues. Implications for understanding gender specificity of sexual response are discussed.

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Preliminary Evidence on How the Dual Control Model Predicts Female Sexual Response to a Bogus Negative Feedback

Psychological Reports ◽

10.1177/0033294120907310 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 003329412090731

Author(s):

Reina Granados ◽

Joana Carvalho ◽

Juan Carlos Sierra

Keyword(s):

Sexual Arousal ◽

Negative Feedback ◽

Control Model ◽

Sexual Response ◽

Dual Control ◽

Sexual Performance ◽

Sexual Excitation ◽

Subjective Sexual Arousal ◽

Sexual Responses ◽

Dual Control Model

The Dual Control Model of sexual response has been mostly tested with men. As such, there is a lack of evidence on how such model applies to women’s experience of sexual arousal, particularly when they face a threatening situation such as the threat of sexual performance failure. The aim of the current study was to test whether the Dual Control Model dimensions predict women’s sexual responses to a bogus negative feedback about their sexual performance. In addition, 22 women were exposed to a sexually explicit film clip, while their genital arousal was being measured. During this presentation, a bogus negative feedback, aimed at increasing women’s anxiety about their sexual performance, was provided. Vaginal photopletismography and self-report questions were used as means to evaluate women’s genital and subjective sexual arousal, respectively. The Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women was further used to capture women’s sexual dynamics. Regression analysis on the high-order factors revealed that sexual excitation proneness was the only predictor of the subjective sexual responses, while none of the factors has predicted genital arousal. “Arousability” and “Concerns about sexual function” dimensions predicted subjective sexual arousal. Sexual arousability may prevent women of lowering their subjective sexual responses in a sexually demanding situation, while “Concerns about sexual function” may have the opposite role, thus being a target of clinical interest. This work provides new data on the Dual Control Model of sexual response, and particularly on its role in women’s sexual functioning.

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Sexual Response in Women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Controlled Laboratory Study Measuring Vaginal Blood Flow and Subjective Sexual Arousal

Archives of Sexual Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10508-015-0545-x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 1573-1587 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Stephanie Both ◽

Moniek ter Kuile ◽

Paul Enzlin ◽

Olaf Dekkers ◽

Marieke van Dijk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Sexual Arousal ◽

Laboratory Study ◽

Sexual Response ◽

Subjective Sexual Arousal

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The Power of the Present: Effects of Three Mindfulness Tasks on Women’s Sexual Response

Clinical Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/2167702619861394 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 125-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Julia Velten ◽

Lori A. Brotto ◽

Meredith L. Chivers ◽

Gerrit Hirschfeld ◽

Jürgen Margraf

Keyword(s):

Sexual Arousal ◽

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

The Body ◽

Sexual Response ◽

Mindfulness Practice ◽

Imagery Task ◽

Genital Arousal ◽

Subjective Sexual Arousal ◽

The Impact ◽

Subjective Arousal

Mindfulness-based interventions are effective at improving sexual dysfunctions in women, yet the mechanisms of action are less clear. Our objective was to investigate the impact of three mindfulness exercises on women’s sexual response. Forty-nine women participated in a laboratory session involving a series of 5-min exercises and erotic films. They completed three mindfulness-based exercises and a mental-imagery task. Genital and subjective arousal were measured continuously during erotic films, and genital arousal was measured during the exercises. A focus on the genitals led to greater genital arousal during the exercise. A focus on sensations in the body and on the genitals was associated with greater subjective sexual arousal during erotic films. Effects were small in size. Taken together, the focus of attention during a mindfulness practice may differentially affect genital and subjective sexual arousal and has implications for women experiencing difficulties in different aspects of sexual response.

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The Effect of Reflexology on Lactation in Women Who Had Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000513924 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Sevde Aksu ◽

Pelin Palas Karaca

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Cesarean Section ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Breast Pain ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Right ◽

Documentation Tool ◽

And Control

Aim: The research was conducted as a randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate the effects of reflexology on lactation in mothers who delivered by cesarean section (CS). Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with a total of 60 postpartum women in the reflexology application (n = 30) and control groups (n = 30). After the CS, the mothers in the control group were given approximately 3-h routine nursing care after recovering from the effects of anesthesia; the introductory information form was applied, and the Breastfeeding Charting System and Documentation Tool (LATCH) and visual analog scale (VAS) for the signs of the onset of lactation were implemented on the first and second days. Reflexology was applied to the women in the intervention group after an average of 3 h following the mother’s condition had become stable and she had recovered from the effects of anesthesia. Reflexology was applied a total of 20 min – 10 min for the right foot, 10 min for the left foot – twice a day with 8-h intervals on the first and second days after CS. After the last reflexology application, the LATCH and VAS for the signs of the onset of lactation were applied. Results: Of the women, 70% breastfed their babies within 60 min after delivery; 46.7% of the mothers received breastfeeding training and 81.7% needed support for breastfeeding after the CS. The LATCH breastfeeding scores of the women in the intervention group on both days were significantly higher compared to those of the women in the control group (p < 0.001). On the first day after the CS, apart from breast pain, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of breast heat and breast tension (p > 0.05). On the second day after the CS, apart from breast tension, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of breast heat and breast pain (p < 0.05). In the study, women in the intervention group were found to have higher scores in terms of all three symptoms compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In the study, it was determined that LATCH scores and signs of the onset of breastfeeding increased in the mothers who received reflexology after CS.

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Analysis of intracranial hemorrhage grade in preterm singleton pregnancies delivered vaginally or by cesarean section

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp1303255l ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 255-258 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sasa Ljustina ◽

Ivana Berisavac ◽

Milica Berisavac ◽

Ljudmila Kovacevic-Vukolic ◽

Vesna Velickovic-Aleksic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Section ◽

Perinatal Outcome ◽

Intraventricular Hemorrhage ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Preterm Neonates ◽

Delivery Methods ◽

Premature Babies ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Vertex Presentation ◽

Singleton Pregnancies

Background/Aim. Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality. Periventricular hemorrhage-intraventricular hemorrhage (PVH-IVH) remains a significant cause of both morbidity and mortality in infants prematurely born. The aim of the study was to evaluate the perinatal outcome regarding IVH of premature babies according to the mode of delivery. Methods. A total of 126 women in preterm singleton pregnancies with vertex presentation and 126 neonates weighted from 750 g to 1,500 g at birth were enrolled. The outcomes of 64 neonates born vaginally were compared to 62 neonates born by cesarean section. Results. There was no significant difference in the incidence of IVH among both groups. Conclusion. Our data is consistent with the hypothesis that the mode of delivery does not influence IVH and consenquently perinatal outcome in preterm neonates.

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Orgasm consistency and its relationship to women’s self-reported and genital sexual response

The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality ◽

10.3138/cjhs.2021-0037 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Larah Maunder ◽

Nina Micanovic ◽

Jackie S. Huberman ◽

Meredith L. Chivers

Keyword(s):

Sexual Arousal ◽

Stimulus Presentation ◽

Sexual Motivation ◽

Incentive Motivation ◽

Sexual Response ◽

Sexual History ◽

Genital Arousal ◽

Incentive Value ◽

Motivation Model ◽

Age Range

According to the Incentive Motivation Model (IMM) of sexual response, the rewarding and pleasurable aspects of a sexual act strengthen its incentive value and capacity to trigger sexual motivation. One such sexual reward is orgasm consistency, the percentage of time that orgasm is experienced during a sex act. Orgasm consistency may serve to influence the incentive value of a sexual behaviour. We tested this tenet of the IMM by examining whether orgasm consistency predicted women’s sexual responses to films depicting various sex acts. Data were collected from four separate studies examining women’s genital and subjective sexual response. Participants ( N = 144, age range = 18–65) were presented with neutral and erotic film stimuli while their genital arousal was assessed using vaginal photoplethysmography or thermography. Participants reported their sexual arousal level before, during, and after each stimulus presentation, and completed questionnaires assessing sexual history and experiences, sexual interests, and sexual functioning. Orgasm consistency during penile–vaginal intercourse (PVI) significantly predicted genital arousal to films depicting PVI, but similar relationships were not observed between genital or self-reported arousal and orgasm consistency during receptive oral sex and masturbation. Findings suggest that increasing orgasm consistency to a sex act may increase its incentive value, thereby triggering greater genital response to depictions of that act. Lack of consistent orgasm or generally pleasurable and rewarding sex may limit the capacity of sex acts to trigger sexual motivation in future sexual encounters, thus contributing to low sexual arousal and desire in women.

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Prelabour Rupture of Membranes: Mode of Delivery and Outcome

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2015.037 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 237-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Vlora Ademi Ibishi ◽

Rozalinda Dusan Isjanovska

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Section ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Neonatal Morbidity ◽

Fetal Distress ◽

Maternal Complications ◽

Cephalopelvic Disproportion ◽

Cesarean Section Delivery ◽

Clinical Center ◽

Failed Induction ◽

The University

BACKGROUND: Pre-labour Rupture of Membranes (PROM) is an important cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and increased rate of cesarean section delivery. AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics, PROM-delivery interval, mode of delivery, and early maternal neonatal outcome among pregnant patients presenting with pre-labour rupture of membranes.MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective case control study is implemented at the Obstetric and Gynecology Clinic of the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. The study included 100 pregnant patients presenting with prelabour rupture of membranes of which 63 were primigravida and 37 patients were multigravida.RESULTS: The incidence of cesarean section in this study is 28 % and the most common indications for cesarean delivery were fetal distress, malpresentation, cephalopelvic disproportion, and failed induction. The most common maternal complications in this study are chorioamnionitis, retained placenta and postpartum hemorrhage. Neonatal infectious morbidity was present in 16 % of cases.CONCLUSION: PROM is a significant issue for obstetricians and an important cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and increased rate of cesarean section delivery.

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