Changes in a couple's sexual relationship following childbirth may be more significant than previous studies have suggested. Around 50% of first-time parents in this study described their sex life as 'poor' or 'not very good' eight months after the birth of their baby, and one in five said that they would like help for this. First-time parents rating their general relationship as 'poor' or 'not very good' rose from 1% before pregnancy to 20% eight months after childbirth. Changes in the general relationship and the quality of sex life were associated in these couples.The article is available via Open Access. Click on the 'Additional link' above to access the full-text.Not permitted