The emotional swings of pregnancy can have an impact on your relationship together. Maintaining effective communication skills and being supportive of each other are important skills now and as you become a parent. 

Sometimes all of these changes result in more friction between you and your partner, in some cases this may escalate to abuse. Mom’s physical discomforts during pregnancy may mean that she is not able to do all the tasks that she normally did to keep your home running as smoothly.Determining who does what and any expectations around different household tasks will help you now and when your baby arrives.

What about the sexual aspect of your relationship during pregnancy? Can we continue to have sexual intercourse? For most couples having intercourse will not cause harm unless your health care provider tells you to avoid it. Learn more about the important topic of Sexuality During Pregnancy. 

There are a couple of key decisions that you will need to think about and make on your journey to parenthood:

• Who you will have to deliver your baby. Depending on where you live you may have several choices of care providers such as a family doctor, midwife or obstetrician. 
• Where you want your baby to be delivered. You may also have a choice of birth settings such as a birth center, home or hospital. 
• Attending prenatal education classes. Attending prenatal classes is one way to learn about the delivery options and health care providers who deliver in your community. You will also learn other information that is helpful to you during pregnancy-plus you will meet other parents-to-be in your community. To find prenatal classes in your area contact your local public health department, or hospital. 

Learn as much as you can about these different options before you make a decision.

Part of becoming a parent is protecting your baby now during pregnancy, as well as after they are born.  How can you make your home a healthier place for you and your baby? Everyone in your family will benefit from these changes.

As your pregnancy becomes more real to both you and your partner, your thoughts might turn to what it will be like to be a parents. What does it mean to become a mother or to become a father.