Pregnancy is not only a transformational journey for you but also significantly impacts your relationship, including aspects of intimacy and sexual desire.
This guide focuses on the shifts in sexual desire experienced by your partner throughout your pregnancy, offering insights into navigating these changes together.
What You Should Know
As an expecting mom, it's important to recognize that pregnancy can lead to a dynamic shift in sexual desire for both you and your partner.
A 2020 study found that men experience a decline in dyadic sexual desire as pregnancy advances.
During pregnancy, men and partners may experience concerns and anxieties about their sexuality, influenced by factors such as their partner's pregnancy-related difficulties, fear of causing harm, and changes in attraction due to bodily transformations
Understanding these shifts is crucial for managing your emotional and physical connection during this time.
Safety Guideline
The foundation of intimacy during pregnancy is built on safety, comfort, and open communication.
Engage in honest discussions about your changing needs and desires, and any discomforts you may be experiencing.
These conversations can help adapt your intimate life, ensuring both you and your partner feel understood and comfortable.
The positive aspect is that sexuality extends beyond penetration, and intimacy goes beyond just sexuality. Explore various forms of connection with yourself and your partner.
Consulting with healthcare providers can also provide reassurance and personalized advice, helping you navigate intimacy safely during pregnancy.
Simple Tips and Tricks
Ask yourself : what do I need? I need to feel loved, desired; to receive attention; sensual moments, etc. and ask for it
Encourage open communication: emphasize the importance of open and empathetic dialogue about each other's changing feelings and desires. Understanding what each person is experiencing, can help adjust expectations and strengthen your relationship.
Autonomy: solo pleasures and seeking to please yourself. Don’t depend on your partner.
Adapt: your partner may feel uncomfortable with certain positions due to your belly. Stay open to modifying your sexual activities as your body undergoes changes. Exploring new positions or forms of intimacy can keep your connection vibrant and fulfilling.
Cherish non-sexual intimacy: Intimacy extends beyond sexual activities. Emotional closeness through affectionate gestures and quality time together is vital in maintaining a strong bond. Do you have sufficient quality time as a couple?
Q&As
Is it normal for our sexual desires to change during pregnancy?
Absolutely. It's entirely normal for both you and your partner to experience changes in sexual desire due to the myriad of adjustments that accompany pregnancy. Every pregnancy and situation are unique. Discuss them together.
What if my partner and I have different levels of sexual desire?
It's common for differences in sexual desire to emerge. Discussing these openly and finding a middle ground for intimacy can help you navigate these changes together. If this poses challenges in your relationship, I encourage you to consult sexologists.
How can we maintain intimacy if I'm not comfortable with sexual intercourse?
The good news is that sexuality is much more than penetration. Enjoy all sexual practices that bring you pleasure and remain comfortable such as cuddling, massages, oral sex, shower together or simply spending quality time together, to maintain your emotional connection.
Could sexual activity harm the baby?
In most cases of healthy pregnancy, sexual activity is safe and does not cause a miscarriage. Feel free to consult your healthcare provider for additional information.
Navigating the changes in sexual desire during pregnancy requires patience, understanding, and communication.
By acknowledging and addressing each other's evolving needs, you can maintain a fulfilling and supportive connection throughout this significant chapter of your lives.
oh no lol I stare at him without realizing I'm doing it
27 Mar 2024
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Carlasia
1 Sep 2023
Things ppl don’t talk about during pregnancy is how you and ur partner are so distant I feel alone in my pregnancy and kinda confused on why I feel this way but it makes me feel upset/lonely 🥲
Hello, this is me & my partner first pregnancy, a lot gets to me I’m overly emotional, attitude switch in seconds & etc. 😩I don’t think he understands certain things, or take things into consideration😔 Ladies how do you and your partner deal with the emotions & hormones during your pregnancy?
I gave my husband a book on pregnancy and told him to read it. It explained the hormone shifts so it made things easier for him to understand the mood changes.
27 Mar 2024
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Jessica 🧸🤍
1 Mar 2023
Is it normal to hate the things your partner does during pregnancy? Sean ate all the ice cream and I went off over it lol
Definitely be hopeful , my boyfriend is argumentative and it gets overwhelming but certain days he shocks me by suprise. he take note and trying to correct his mood swings .
Hopefully for you the good days can out weight the bad❤️
27 Mar 2024
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Amanda
I truly truly hope so ,because the yelling back and forth is very draining 🤦🏾♀️
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