It's not uncommon for a woman who has children to collapse in bed at night feeling as emotionally and physically drained as a vampire victim. Aside from often not having the physical and emotional energy for even the simplest bedroom gymnastics, it can be hard for a woman to intellectually switch gears from mommy to vixen.

QUESTION

My partner wants a hospital birth complete with an OB/GYN. My preference is a home birth with a midwife but I was willing to compromise on using a birth center. He's not budging.

What are some ways that I can help him move away from this sterile birth experience to one that I'm more comfortable with other than just telling him "I'm not doing it!" and creating another war?

I get that is how his sisters and friends' wives delivered but this is MY birth experience, too!
Dani

QUESTION

I'm 12 weeks pregnant and experiencing some complications. I've been put on pelvic rest. How do I get my husband to understand that it means nothing can enter? The rest is till 13-14 weeks so there are another 1 -2 weeks yet.

I don't really have the interest in sex right now either. How can I convey that so he understands?

Thanks,
Becki

Trimester 3 and we are into the playoffs! It's business time! As you start to burst at the seams, he may be finally coming out of denial. The pregnancy is pretty real now and his worries will start to turn toward you and the baby. What are his concerns as the birth draws near?

The second trimester brings a bump and a few other telling signs that you are carrying a real person. It's starting to hit home with your guy that he really is going to be a dad. Is he mature enough to be a parent? How will your relationship hold up? Will he ever have sex again? This is what he may be worried about for the coming months.

Research shows 10% of all couples break up during pregnancy and 30% break up in the first two years of parenthood. The good news is you don't have to be part of these statistics! You have 9 months to get to know each other again, understand your expectations moving forward and build on your relationship in preparation for the changes ahead.

QUESTION

Dear Midwife,
This is my second pregnancy, and my hormones are out of control. I am such a mess. When I was pregnant with my son, I was so hormonal. I cried constantly, and was so evil towards my husband, I pretty much hated him during my pregnancy. I talked to my doctor about it and he said there is nothing they could do, that pregnancy hormones had to run their course.

I'm ready to test today. Would it be better to do the pregnancy test with my husband present or to do it in private and share the news later. Any advice you can give me on this topic would be fantastic.