Pregnancy is a difficult time, even if you do not have to worry about anything else that is going on. Maintaining a healthy relationship during pregnancy also requires work and mutual effort. When trying to do both at the same time, it can be even more challenging to keep things going smoothly.
A stronger relationship not only makes you happier, but also provides a stable family environment for your child—before and after the birth. If you are wondering how to keep things happy between you and your partner while you are pregnant, these tips may well help you.
Make sure your partner does their share
While you are the one who is pregnant and will experience the physical strain of pregnancy and birth, this doesn’t mean pregnancy should be seen as only your burden. After all, it takes two to make a baby! Your partner must play their part in supporting you throughout the pregnancy. This means being prepared to look after you when you are suffering from morning sickness, comforting you when you are feeling mood swings or anxiety, being on hand to deal with any emergencies, and generally keeping your spirits up.
It can also mean your partner taking on extra responsibilities in terms of household chores, as your pregnancy is likely to cause you some mental and physical strain. Suppose you feel exhaustion, sickness, abdominal pains, or any other effect. In that case, your partner should be willing to step in and take care of any tasks on your behalf. Don’t let yourself feel guilty about letting your partner take on extra responsibilities; remember that carrying their baby is a huge responsibility itself.
Create a postpartum plan to help you communicate to your partner what you need after giving birth.
Be open as a couple for mental health challenges
Pregnancy can have significant effects on moods and mental health. As well as anxiety about becoming a parent, there are many hormonal changes in the body which are necessary to keep the body functioning. Unfortunately, these usually come with some emotional and mental side effects. It is uncommon to go through pregnancy without experiencing pretty significant mood swings at some point. This could manifest in many ways, from depression to mania to irritability.
While we are all still responsible for our actions regardless of our mental state, it is only realistic for you and your partner to prepare for some mental health struggles that are likely to affect both of you. Your relationship may be tested by an increase in irritability, for example. You may find yourself becoming very frustrated at seemingly minor things, and you are likely to take out this frustration on your partner at some point.
The best way to deal with this as a couple is to be prepared for this and aware of it. It is not just up to you to deal with your emotions, and it is not just up to your partner to ignore their needs in the relationship either. Overcoming the mental and emotional strain of pregnancy is a task that requires effort and mutual understanding from both partners.
Accept changes to your sex drive
With so many hormonal changes happening during pregnancy, it is no surprise that sex drive is an area that is likely to be affected. It is highly common for a pregnant person’s libido to decrease or even disappear altogether at times. This may be due to hormonal fluctuations, stress, fears about what your partner thinks of your changing body, or any combination of these factors. You may be unable to have sex at certain times, even if you want to, due to abdominal pain from your baby kicking!
Generally speaking, your partner is unlikely to be concerned by your body changing if they genuinely love and respect you. After all—every adult knows that pregnancy causes physical changes, many of which are only temporary. You may want to approach your libido in the same way you approach your mood; acknowledging that it will fluctuate and become more unpredictable. Making your partner aware of this fact can help you to keep your relationship passionate.
Practically speaking, some couples find that scheduling in nights for sex works, while others prefer to respond to the libido as and when it changes. Whatever you do, it is vital to communicate, and both expect changes to your sex life during pregnancy. Towards the end of the pregnancy, you may have to try different, more comfortable, and less strenuous positions if you have sex.
Discuss any money worries with each other
Although bringing a baby into the world is a beautiful thing, it is undeniable that having an extra mouth to feed is a significant financial expense. In addition to this, pregnancy and maternity can result in the need to take more time off work. When you are pregnant, it is to be expected that you will be working significantly reduced hours for the next couple of years at least. Suppose you are lucky enough to work for an employer that provides sufficient maternity pay. In that case, this factor may not weigh on your mind. However, if you are in less stable employment, pregnancy and maternity can affect your finances.
If you are in a serious, long-term relationship, you should be able to talk about money with each other. If you are worried about the financial implications of your pregnancy, there are a few measures that can be taken. Your partner may be able to work overtime. You may be able to cut back on luxuries (such as canceling subscriptions, etc.). You may even be able to sell items for some extra cash.
Don’t ignore non-pregnancy-related relationship issues
Of the luxuries that you may need to cut back on, one of the most likely is going on dates. This is not just for financial reasons; the physical and mental effects of pregnancy may make going out strenuous and challenging. However, it is still important to maintain the health of your relationship. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to spend quality time with your partner without breaking the bank. If the tightening of your budget has made fancy dinner dates impossible, don’t panic. There are plenty of ways that you can have a fun date night at home without spending much money at all!
Aside from having dates, it is as important to focus on your relationship during pregnancy as it is at any other time. Pregnancy is a heavy burden, and it can easily take up all of your time and mental energy. However, just because you and your partner have the pressures of pregnancy to deal with, that doesn’t mean that other potential relationship issues simply disappear. While your partner should be aware that things will be tricky and the pregnancy will be prioritized over other needs, you both still need to make an effort to keep your relationship healthy and enjoyable as you did before.
Just because you will soon become a three, this does not mean that your relationship as a couple is no longer important—in fact, a healthy relationship is more important than ever before when you are raising a child together. If you can follow these steps and communicate effectively, openly, and honestly with each other, then pregnancy can strengthen—rather than weaken—your bond.
Author Bio
Brenda Adair is a relationships and lifestyle writer, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of new experiences. You’ll usually find her in a coffee shop with her laptop and a flat white scribbling down an article or a blog post. She is a contributing author at GoDates, and several other online publications.
