Filled with anticipation and joy, pregnancy is a special time for all couples who get to experience it. But next to all the physical changes, there are also some new dynamics and emotional challenges in the relationship. That is why being mindful and understanding how to manage the changes is key to a stronger bond with your partner during pregnancy.
How Pregnancy Affects Relationships
First, let’s talk about some of the most common changes that might affect the relationship between you and your partner:
Emotional Vulnerability
The amount of pregnancy hormones in your body can have a strong impact on your emotions, and that can even lead to feelings of panic. Some women also experience fear of abandonment during early pregnancy months, no matter how strong and independent they actually are. This sometimes causes pregnant women to have strange and unreasonable demands from their partners so it takes plenty of understanding to perverse the relationship at this point.
Changes in Sex Life
Physical intimacy usually suffers in the first trimester when women tend to feel exhausted and queasy. On the other hand, there are many women whose libido actually goes up, especially in the mid-pregnancy period. As your pregnancy progresses and your belly grows, navigating sex can become more challenging due to the various physical, hormonal, and emotional changes.
Because of all those changes, some experts suggest that scheduling time to be intimate can help couples maintain a physical and emotional connection.
Your Partner Might Feel Left Out
It is common for pregnant women to focus on themselves while carrying the baby. With all the body changes paired with preparation and planning, it is easy to fall into the trap of having the impression that everything is on them and about them, which can leave the other person feeling left out. Besides doing all the baby-related activities together, it is also helpful to organize some intimate time that is devoted to your relationship only.
Tips to Strengthen Your Bond During Pregnancy
Now it’s time to explore some tips that will help you maintain a strong connection during pregnancy:
Always Communicate
Clear and open communication is key for a strong relationship during pregnancy, as this is the time when both people might have different concerns, emotions and expectations. That is why you must take the time to listen to each other’s thoughts without any assumptions or judgment. The only way to create a safe space for understanding and support is to be honest and transparent about your needs.
Prioritize Each Other’s Well-Being
There is a whirlwind of emotions that awaits both partners during pregnancy, so it is extremely important that everyone’s well-being is supported throughout the journey. As a couple, you need to learn to be patient, understanding, and compassionate. And in times of need, make sure you offer a comforting touch, a shoulder to lean on, and a listening ear. Finally, practice empathy and provide reassurance to each other at all times.
Remember to Celebrate Milestones
There are so many precious bonding moments and milestones throughout the pregnancy, but they are often overlooked because of other factors. From the very first ultrasound to choosing the crib, remember to take a moment to appreciate and celebrate all those magical memories. As a couple, you can even create a baby registry or take part in activities that promote deeper connection like singing and reading books to the baby. All these shared experiences strengthen your emotional connection and create lasting memories at the same time.
Embrace Parenthood Together
Pregnancy is a shared path, and both partners are equally important in the preparation for the baby’s arrival. The best way to embrace the fact that you will be parents together is for both of you to actively participate in all the initial steps. Go to childbirth classes and prenatal visits as a couple, and make sure you’re both involved in decision-making processes.
As you embark on the lovely journey called pregnancy, keep in mind that challenges might arise, but there is nothing you and your partner cannot overcome through healthy communication and lots of understanding. Embrace all the ups and downs that await, and welcome the baby as a loving couple with a strong bond that hardly anything could break.