HOW DOES PREGNANCY CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU SPOUSE OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER???

There are some couples that find the transition period of pregnancy to be an especially stressful time.When a pregnancy begins, a man and woman often begin living in different worlds.  The man may find that the woman becomes psychologically unpredictable and vulnerable even.  (I know I am sometimes)  The woman may see the man as being unsympathetic and unloving.  He may feel that he can't talk to her about "rational" things, as he once could, and that she has lost interest in everything except the baby on the way.  He may feel a sense of disconnect from her, maybe pushed aside, as if her were living with a different woman.  The woman's body is going through so many changes both physically and emotionally and he may not know where he fits in exactly.  Often times sex patterns change as well.  Sometimes for the better, but sometimes not. 

Some couples may think that these problems are only unique to them.  And that couldn't be further from the truth!!  Unless you are just an extraordinary couple, there are bound to be challenges along the way, whether the pregnancy was planned or not.  Reaching out, and talking to other couples who are also expecting a baby, can help you to see that you are not alone and that what you are going through is very normal.  Attending a class, perhaps, can help gap that bridge of the different socially assigned gender roles of a man and a woman.  It may even draw them closer.

It is important that you know that BOTH of you are going through changes.  You will not be pregnant forever!!  In the end, you will most likely grow together as a couple and find a deeper connection because of the bond that you have shared.