Pregnancy Reveals a Whole New Dimension of Your Marriage

Before experiencing my first pregnancy, I was the kind of wife who tried to maintain an air of mystery in my marriage. I kept all my bodily functions under wraps, even going so far as to ban my partner from entering the bathroom right after I used it. I dreaded the thought of him catching even a whiff of anything that might prove I was, in fact, human.

I even did silly things like sneaking out of bed to brush my teeth while he was still asleep, ensuring that my breath was minty fresh when he woke up. I donned cute pajamas, kept my legs smooth, and aimed to embody the kind of wife who was more Disney princess than swamp creature. And then, bam! I found out I was pregnant. Oh dear, that’s when everything began to shift.

Pregnancy really does unveil a whole new side of your marriage. Let me explain.

The Gas. Oh My Goodness, The Gas.

I can’t explain why pregnancy seems to come with an abundance of gas, but it often does. With a tiny person nestled inside you, shifting everything around like they own the place, farts become an unavoidable part of the experience. So do those enormous belches. And let’s face it, you’re beyond exhausted. Running to the bathroom every time gas threatens to escape is simply impractical. You can either let it all out in front of your partner or suffer—choose wisely!

Grab a copy of “Everyone Poops,” because pregnancy also brings some serious poop issues. From constipation that has you pleading for relief to diarrhea that makes you wish you could just stop, pregnancy can be a real challenge. Even if your partner never sees the aftermath, there’s a good chance they’ll hear about it. If you were once private about your bathroom habits, pregnancy has a way of stripping that privacy away—probably to prepare you for those moments when your child barges into the bathroom asking to open a juice box or dress a doll.

And let’s not forget the possibility of epic, intolerable hemorrhoids. During my last pregnancy, my partner had to assess a rather concerning situation, so I guess you could say we kept things romantic!

You might also need to come to terms with the fact that you could unintentionally wet yourself. Accept this reality. You may get lucky, or you might find yourself dribbling a bit when a little human is sitting on your bladder and you suddenly need to sneeze, cough, or laugh. If you’re unfortunate, you might even find yourself peeing your pants in the car line while picking up your first grader.

Now, Let’s Dive into Labor, Delivery, and Recovery.

If you somehow make it through pregnancy without exposing your partner to your bodily functions, congratulations! But don’t get too comfortable; that baby still needs to come out, which brings a plethora of opportunities for your partner to witness the more, shall we say, unseemly aspects of childbirth.

You’ll need to release amniotic fluid eventually. When your water breaks, it could be a gentle trickle or a total flood. And when it comes time to push, it’s safe to say that manners may go out the window. If there’s a fart waiting to escape, it’s going to happen. And if there’s poop in the vicinity? Well, it might just join the party.

Thinking you have an escape plan because you’re having a C-section? Not so fast. As someone who’s had three Cesarean sections, I assure you, you’re not exempt from the potential grossness. I’ll never forget the moment a blood clot the size of a hamster decided to make its appearance—thanks to some rather untrustworthy hospital underwear.

Pregnancy and delivery, regardless of how they occur, bring a new level of intimacy to your marriage. It may not always be pleasant in the moment, but I promise, it will provide plenty of amusing stories in the future.

For more info on this journey, check out this post on Home Insemination or explore expert insights at Healthline. If you’re looking to start your family, Make a Mom is a fantastic resource.

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In summary, pregnancy transforms not just your body but also the dynamics of your marriage, bringing you and your partner closer in unexpected ways. Through the ups and downs, the shared experiences—no matter how messy—will become a cherished part of your journey together.