Changes in sexual experiences and relationship quality during pregnancy

The present research examined changes in sexuality and relationship quality during pregnancy. In three studies, participants completed self-report scales of sex-related emotions, thoughts,motives, and experiences, as well as relationship quality. Study 1 (N=361) examined the differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women in sexual and relational experiences. Study 2 (N=25)monitoredwomen's sexuality and relationship quality throughout the three trimesters of pregnancy. Study 3 examined gender differences in changes in sexual and relational experiences during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy among 31 cohabiting couples. The findings revealed that pregnantwomenweremore sexuallymotivated by relational concernsthanboth theirpartnersandnon-pregnantwomen.Additionally, theresults pointed to the involvementof twocorresponding processes: Sexual enjoyment declined as pregnancy progressed, whereas relational satisfaction was relatively unchanged during pregnancy. These findings suggest that the progress of pregnancymay independently affect sexuality and relational quality.