Your pregnancy has been confirmed; a new reality you have been anticipating has arrived, or is taking you by surprise. Are you understanding your reactions and those of your partner? You may be experiencing waves of emotion, a bit like a roller coaster ride; and this happens for men as well as women. You have been given notice that allows you to prepare emotionally, and to start thinking about yourself in new ways.
Pregnancy is a time of physical and emotional changes triggered in women by hormone surges. Expectant fathers are responding to the experience of their partner’s changing moods and body. For some women “showing” is something they are looking forward to, while others are dreading their changing shape with fears that they may never look the same. Some men are attracted to their pregnant woman, perceiving her as a sign of his virility, and feel proud. This is a time of hypersensitivity for pregnant parents, and some engage in avoidance when they don’t understand what is happening. Often couples do not realize that this is a self-defeating response that can actually cause them to become increasingly more distant.
At this stage, you may want to focus on what it means for each of you that expecting a baby is now more visible to the world. You may want to explore how you are feeling about the physical changes, and their effects on you, your partner, and intimacy.
You are giving your relationship a Jump Start on emotionally meaningful communication.