Whether planned or not, pregnancy usually brings changes to a relationship, especially when it’s your first child. Pregnancy can therefore be seen as a transition period toward a new family life, during which many couples enjoy their last moments as a twosome. In this article, you will discover the effects that pregnancy can have on a couple's relationship and you will also find lots of information about how your sex life may evolve during this period.

What challenges does your relationship face during pregnancy?

Beyond the joy of becoming parents, this new adventure naturally brings questions, uncertainties, and sometimes even anxieties. While, as a future mother, you feel the changes in your body and the physical bond developing with your little one, your partner experiences the pregnancy only from the outside: your growing belly, the ultrasound images, or the baby's movements felt with a hand.

For your partner, the very idea of becoming a parent may initially feel quite abstract; in the first weeks, there may even be a sense of exclusion at times. However, it’s very likely that he (or she) is just as worried about this new situation as you are and may even wonder whether he will be able to handle this new parental role. Having a child inevitably creates new shared responsibilities between you and your partner that may not have existed before. That doesn’t mean you can’t face them together with serenity and lightness—sex included. Your body changes, becoming softer and gentler: allow your partner to appreciate these changes too, without fear or taboos.

Living together through pregnancy

There are many activities you can do to involve your partner in the pregnancy:

• Go together to the medical appointments: the morphology , for example, is a great way to introduce your partner to the baby (see also our article: The tests to be done during pregnancy ). Try to schedule these exams outside of your partner's working hours, because unlike you, he (she) may not be able to take time off during the workday to attend check-ups.
  

• Attend the prenatal class together.
  

• Enjoy a relaxing abdominal massage with your partner, and feel the baby's movements in your belly together.
  

• Create a cozy nest for your little one together: choose the furniture and accessories for the room, as well as baby equipment .

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  Choose the future name(s) together, and if you're still looking for the perfect name, read our article: " Choosing a name for the baby".
  

• If you are feeling well, enjoy one last moment romantic getaway : even a weekend not too far from home can help bring back a romantic atmosphere.
  

• Plan together activities that don’t necessarily revolve around pregnancy and the baby, but around the couple : dinner at a restaurant, going to the cinema, a walk in nature...
  

Sexuality during pregnancy

Beyond the relationship in general, pregnancy can also affect your sex life, so small adjustments are often necessary.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE SEX DURING PREGNANCY?

Of course, yes ! Don’t pay attention to stereotypes: you may have already heard that sex is harmful during pregnancy. This would explain why many expectant parents are reluctant to continue their sex life. Rest assured, this is unfounded! During pregnancy, the cervix is sealed with the mucus plug, so your baby is fully protected in the uterus.
The same applies to the fear that sexual intercourse may lead to premature labor. While it is true that the prostaglandin contained in male seminal fluid and the orgasm can cause uterine contractions , they certainly cannot induce labor, even if the due date is approaching.
If both of you want to, and with few exceptions, there is nothing preventing you from continuing to have sex for the next nine months. On the contrary, it can also have a positive effect on your well-being . In addition, sexual arousal releases the hormone oxytocin , also known as the love hormone , which supports trust and the bond between partners. Continuing healthy sexual activity can therefore strengthen your sense of unity and your connection as a couple.

Having sexual intercourse during pregnancy is absolutely normal and generally does not cause any problems for either the mother or the baby. You only need to take some precautions in certain cases, which you can discuss with your doctor. For example:

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  Infection, bleeding, preterm labor, or pain
  

• If you have placenta previa or amniotic fluid leakage
  

• During the last quarter, if there is a risk of preterm labor

• In case of multiple pregnancy.
  

What changes in your sex life during pregnancy?

We all know the changes your body undergoes during pregnancy, so it’s no surprise if this impacts your sex life and libido. During pregnancy, blood flow to your sexual organs increases. This can lead to a increase in sexual desire , and you may feel caresses and orgasms more intensely.

On the other hand, some women find intimate caresses uncomfortable, or even painful. Once again, communication works wonders! Don’t hesitate to discuss with your partner what feels pleasurable to you and what doesn’t. After all, he (she) can’t know how you experience his (her) caresses. Find enjoyable sexual positions together for both you and him, experimenting with complete serenity and lots of tenderness. Additionally, as your belly becomes rounder, you may need to make small adjustments: what works during the first trimester may not work during the third.

Physical changes can affect your sexual desire differently depending on the stage of pregnancy.

During the first quarter , nausea and fatigue can reduce libido in about half of women. When these symptoms disappear in the second trimester, most pregnant women feel desire again. For some women, the feeling of becoming a mother and a rounded belly can boost libido; for others, the decrease in desire observed during the first trimester may persist into the second.

If this is your case, don’t worry—it’s completely normal. After all, your body is going through many changes. Try to think with your partner of other ways to share tenderness and closeness. In the third quarter , it is not uncommon for many women to experience a loss of sexual interest. The physical changes are numerous: your belly is now quite prominent, moving can be more difficult, and other discomforts can inhibit libido. Some positions become uncomfortable or tiring: side-lying, the Amazon, or even doggy style might work well during pregnancy. The important thing is that you can approach intimacy with complete serenity, doing what you desire with your partner without forcing yourself.

In conclusion, every relationship is different, and every couple experiences pregnancy in their own way. Communicating your desires, doubts, and concerns is certainly key. Find the right adjustments together to live this new adventure in emotional and sexual harmony.