Pregnancy brings about many changes to your body, affects your mood and much more. It is only normal that your sex drive and sex life will be effected by your pregnancy. If you are concerned about your baby, rest assured that he feels nothing and as long as the pregnancy is healthy, there is no reason to refrain from sex, unless you or your partner feel uncomfortable with it. If you are uncomfortable with it, take the time to talk to each other about your concerns and see what can be resolved and what cannot.

As your body changes with the pregnancy, sex will be different as well. Your blood volume increases by 50%, which affects the size of your breasts, as well as heightens sensitivity throughout all your erogenous zones, which can mean more intense and/or multiple orgasms.

Do not be surprised if your sex drive fluctuates throughout your pregnancy. You may be so tired and nauseated during the first trimester, you will have no interest in sex. As the second trimester approaches, your libido may be awakened with the high level of hormones in your body and a ‘second wind’ you come to you, after the fatigue and morning sickness have dissolved. During the third trimester you may find that you are so uncomfortable you cannot even think of sex. While at the same time, you may be more aroused, depending on the changes to your body.

Pregnancy dreams can be very intense and may include some erotic ones. These erotic dreams can be so vivid that you may wake up and find the need to wake your hubby up, as well, for some late night pleasure.

It is normal for your sex drive to vary during pregnancy, as it is for your partner’s. He may not be experiencing physical changes, but the fact that life as he knows it is about to change, may be effecting his sex drive. He may also be affected by the changes you are going through, both physically and emotionally. Talk to him if you feel your intimacy has changed dramatically or if you find it has become bothersome for either one of you.

Sex during pregnancy can be whatever you make it. You can celebrate this miraculous time or wait it out. In any event, make sure that your relationship and connection is not effected in an unhealthy way during this time.

Bringing your newborn home is an amazing experience. You have conquered the challenges of pregnancy, experienced the climax of childbirth, and are now stronger than ever in your relationship (hopefully). The birth of your baby marks the start of your lives as parents.

Achieving the goal of parenthood together can certainly bring a couple closer. However, at the same time the difficulties and challenges you face as a new parents can bring about conflict about parenting methods and approaches. Believe it or not, but bringing home a baby can ignite feelings of jealousy, or the loss of ‘first place’ in the eyes of your partner. Fatigue and lack of time to devote to each other can also cause frustration. Sooner or later you may realize that parenthood, as amazing as it may be, is affecting your relationship with your partner in ways you did not anticipate.

What can you do? After all, you are exhausted, your baby is completely dependant on you, and you cannot find a minute to devote to anything else. For starters, you can acknowledge the problem. Talk to your partner about both your feelings and see what your expectations from each other are.

Making time for each other is crucial. If you have relatives or friends who are willing or offering to help / babysit take them up on it! A night out, even an hour or two, would do wanders to your perspective and your relationship.

Divide up your responsibilities so that when baby is asleep, you can take the time to cuddle in front of the TV or have a candle light dinner, rather than running around trying to finish up all your chores.

Lower your standards. Although hard to do for some, you will notice that prioritizing and adjusting your standards for what is considered clean, tidy, etc. can free up some of your time and allow you the time you are missing with your spouse, as well as time to relax and recharge.

With time, your baby will become more independent and you will have more time and opportunity to nurture your relationship with your partner. In the mean time, make a few adjustments to make time for your marital relationship. It is important for you and your child that your relationship with your spouse is a strong and happy one.

Six to eight weeks after you give birth, you will be ready to have sex again. It may take more or less time, depending on your delivery experience, your healing process, bleeding (usually lasts 4-6 weeks after delivery), fatigue from adjusting to your baby’s schedule and the new lifestyle as a Mom.

If you worry about pain during intercourse, you are not alone. Your vagina may be dry (especially if you are breastfeeding) and tender, which can be resolved with the use of lubricants. Start slowly and share your feelings with your partner. Different positions may work better, so try different ones if in pain till you find the right fit. If intercourse is still painful, consult your OB/GYN for other possibilities.

It is normal for your sexual desire to decline after childbirth. Fear of painful intercourse, fatigue from care for a newborn and hormone levels changing, even baby blues, can result in decreased desire to have sex. Share these feelings and concerns with your partner and find other ways maintain intimacy till you are ready to resume sex.

When you are ready to resume sexual activity, make sure you wait to have intercourse after your postpartum checkup. Realize that child birth does affect your sex life. Think for a moment of the delivery process. Remember that? It caused some trauma to your body, and it takes time for it to get back to its normal state. Thing will not be exactly as they were, but close to it. Decreased muscle tone in the vagina may reduce pleasurable friction during sex. Kegel exercises will help restore the pelvic floor muscles.

Whatever issues you may experience in your sex life after giving birth, give yourself time. Things will get better when your body will heal and you will be adjusted to motherhood and your new schedule and lifestyle.