Pregnancy is a transformative journey filled with a myriad of physical and emotional changes.
While some aspects of this experience are widely discussed, others remain less explored.
One such phenomenon is touch aversion during pregnancy. In this article, we shed light on this common occurrence and offer guidance on how to cope with it.
What You Should Know
During pregnancy, it's entirely normal for some moms-to-be to experience touch aversion, a reluctance or discomfort in being touched by their partner.
Sometimes the reasons are clear, and other times they remain a mystery.
The Mysterious Origins of Touch Aversion
The exact cause of touch aversion during pregnancy remains uncertain.
It might be an innate defense mechanism aimed at protecting both you and your baby.
Pregnancy often heightens feelings of vulnerability, sometimes at a subconscious level.
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can lead to heightened senses, changes in smell perception, and novel bodily sensations, including touch aversion.
This aversion can vary in intensity and duration.
For some, it lasts a few weeks; for others, it may persist throughout the entire pregnancy.
It can range from mild discomfort triggered by specific touches to severe aversion that induces physical discomfort at the mere presence of your partner.
Extending Beyond Loved Ones
For many women, aversion to touch extends beyond their partners to include all family members and friends. This broader aversion can be challenging, especially if it's taken personally by others, but it's a relatively common experience.
Safety Guideline
Prioritize your emotional well-being during pregnancy.
Understand that touch aversion is a temporary part of this transformative journey.
If touch is currently uncomfortable for you, be creative in finding other ways to connect with your partner: through words, laughter, eye contact, and more.
Simple Tips and Tricks
Open and Honest Communication: Have a candid conversation with your partner and anyone else affected by your touch aversion. Explain your feelings and reassure them that your love and attraction remain unchanged. Emphasize that this is temporary and part of the pregnancy journey.
Identify Triggers: Collaborate to identify triggers exacerbating your touch aversion. Whether it's a particular smell, type of touch, time of day, or a broader disinterest in sexual contact, pinpointing these triggers can help develop an effective plan to manage the aversion.
Lighter Approach: Couples who can laugh about it, adapt, and discuss it—whether with a professional or not—will face fewer difficulties in the long run.
Seek Professional Help: If your touch aversion is rooted in anxiety or concerns for the baby's well-being, consult your doctor or midwife. They can provide guidance and potentially recommend treatments to alleviate your anxiety. Anxiety is a common aspect of pregnancy but can be successfully managed.
Q&As
Is touch aversion limited to partners during pregnancy? No, touch aversion can extend to other family members and friends. It's not uncommon for pregnant women to experience an aversion to touch from various individuals.
Can identifying triggers help in managing touch aversion? Yes, identifying specific triggers can be instrumental in developing strategies to effectively cope with touch aversion.
Is touch aversion during pregnancy related to changes in sex drive? Yes, changes in sex drive are common during pregnancy and can contribute to touch aversion. It's essential to communicate openly with your partner about your desires and boundaries. Exploring other forms of sexual intimacy, such as phone sex, sexting, or writing passionate letters, might be an alternative if you're still feeling desire.
In conclusion
Touch aversion during pregnancy is a normal yet often overlooked aspect of this transformative journey.
Open communication, identifying triggers, and seeking professional help if necessary can assist you in navigating this experience and maintaining emotional well-being throughout your pregnancy.
Remember, you're not alone, and there's no single "right" or "wrong" way to experience pregnancy-related changes.
Anyone else get annoyed with their partner touching them? Prior to getting pregnant my love language was physical touch, as is my husbands. But since getting pregnant I can’t stand it. I also have no interest in sex & I feel so bad for my husband because this isn’t my normal self. Anyone else have this issue and when does it end?
same girl even when he come to kiss me i be like ew go away his regular breath just makes me nauseous and being touched makes me sick 😭 we haven’t had sex but he understands in a way because pregnancy whooping my butt i got diagnosed with hg have a bladder infection antibiotics gave me a yeast infection hopefully second trimester everything gets better for us !
27 Mar 2024
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Jacquelyn
My husband has been a god send but I also know it’s been hard for him. I’m hoping once I hit the second trimester it all gets better because this first trimester is terrible
27 Mar 2024
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Bethany
12 Nov 2023
I can’t stand when my belly touches my thighs while sittting 🥴🥲😂 i gotta like pull them apart.
I can’t stand the way I’m treated while pregnant. According to my bf of 4 yrs now it doesn’t make a difference if I’m pregnant with his child or not. I’m just tired and wanna be loved with my children ……
Mac & Cheese 😥 and I LOVE Mac & Cheese but not anymore 👀 baby girl don't like it.
27 Mar 2024
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Jessii
Cigarettes 💀 my dad and husband smokes and omg! Also I can’t stand the smell of any fragrances like air fresheners that are too fragrant, I can only use clean linen smells and soft floral smells
27 Mar 2024
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Cara
19 Jul 2023
I love my husband but I can’t stand him while I’m pregnant. I feel so bad but I don’t want to be touched and please don’t breathe near me 😂
Someone please tell me I’m not alone 😂
OMG when I was pregnant I was like this 😭I felt disgusting with any touch from him idk why 😭😭like eww to him 😹he didn’t even do anything but yes I felt that lmao now I don’t tho 😭
27 Mar 2024
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Brandi
I hate it bc why you do this to me and get to be completely comfortable.. I don’t let him touch me or anything right now feel totally disgusted with the thought of sex and I told him that the other day I heard him breathing to loud 😂 I need that peace of quiet for nap time especially lol
27 Mar 2024
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Divia
14 May 2023
Can someone pleaseee give me advice on relationships while pregnant. Because me and my partner absolutely hate each other and I had to move out. It’s so hard because I don’t know if it’s pregnancy or things are finally coming to the light.
One thing I can’t stand while being pregnant is how soft and emotional I am. I can’t wait for my hormones to be balanced again 😩 I’m really not a soft ass female 🙄
Right my baby dad did the same just gotta let that shit go don’t dwell on it keep it pushing with ur daughter an handle what you got to
27 Mar 2024
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Camelle
22 Jun 2022
Hey I don’t know if I’m the only one feeling this way but I’m very emotional and I can’t stand my partner everything he do irritate my nerves! I know they say when you dislike your partner the baby comes out looking like him 😩🤦🏾♀️
Im in the same boat. Actions speak louder than words and hes quite the talker. Lately ive been ripping into him about following through.
27 Mar 2024
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Camelle
Lol girl it’s our hormones because I mean every he do piss me offf !
27 Mar 2024
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Taylor
18 Jun 2022
Anyone else baby father just real inconsiderate of your feelings while pregnant like my baby’s father i can’t stand him atp and I really wanna just move back in with my mom… I’m almost 20 years old and I just feel like he’s just not it for me or the baby .
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