Sexuality and Family Planning During Lactation

Everyone is different when it comes to the impact pregnancy, birth, and lactation have on sexuality. But most new parents agree on one thing: They wish they had been better informed and better prepared for the changes. And that lack of information and preparation leads to psychological distress, both for individuals and for couples.

In this comprehensive, sensitive, and compassionate course from Andrea Inchaurrondo, IBCLC, Midwife and Nurse, you’ll learn about common ways pregnancy, birth, and lactation affect sexual experience for both gestational and non-gestational parents, including:

• Hormonal effects at each stage (yes, non-gestational parents experience them, too!)
• Physical repercussions from the birth experience, including birth interventions that put parents at higher risk for sexual difficulty
• The impact of sleep deprivation
• Different sensations and feelings (both positive and negative)
• How new parents’ changing social roles and identities affect their sexuality

Inchaurrondo includes guidance on how to communicate with clients about sexuality and lactation: when to bring it up, how to bring it up, and how to involve partners in the conversation. As a bonus, she examines in depth contraceptive options during lactation, explaining the risks and benefits of each as well as their potential effects on lactation.

Of all the ways a couple’s life changes with the addition of a baby, the sexual domain is one of the most affected, most vulnerable, and least discussed. With this course, you can make sure your clients are getting the support and information they need while they’re in your care and help set the stage for a healthy, supported transition that benefits both the parents and their new baby.