Things get interesting this month as you both become familiar with the weird but wonderful world of the pregnant body. Step right up and witness the amazing expanding belly. Thrill to the fantastic swelling bustline! Dare to brave the snores and thrashes of the mother-to-be as she tries to find comfort in her natural sleeping habitat. This truly is the greatest show on earth.

Her Changing Body

Getting your libidos in synch during pregnancy can be a challenge. If she's experiencing nausea and vomiting right now, chances are she's not feeling too sexy. On the other hand, for some women the hormonal onslaught of pregnancy has their sexuality in overdrive. You too may feel a similar range of sensations and emotions as the pregnancy progresses. Although you may never have thought it possible, fears of somehow hurting the baby during intercourse and a new perception of your partner as a mother may have you shying away from the bedroom. Or you may find her physical metamorphosis, composure, and strength despite all the changes a highly sensual experience.

So what do you do if you aren't on the same sexual wavelength? First of all, be sympathetic to the physical demands on her body right now, and remember that this is a temporary situation. She may be feeling insecure about her appearance or just awkward and clumsy as her body grows. Stress and anxiety can also douse her sex drive. Reassure her that she's still beautiful, perhaps even more so, and try to lighten her load by pitching in around the house and taking over some of the tasks that might be getting difficult for her (such as bending over to pick up your dirty socks).

If she's looking for love but you aren't, look at the reasons behind your feelings. Is safety a concern? Sex is safe and normal if the pregnancy is progressing normally. The baby is well protected in the uterus. Be aware that an orgasm can sometimes trigger contractions, but these do not cause preterm labor in a normal, low-risk pregnancy.

If you're thinking mommy every time you see your wife and her baby bulge, you may have a harder time getting past your aversion to sexual intimacy. The most important thing is for you both to talk about it and discuss your feelings openly and honestly. Ignoring the problem will breed frustration and anger.

If you do agree to put sex on the back burner for a while, this doesn't mean a moratorium on romance. Bring her flowers, treat her to a weekend getaway, or just cook her dinner one night and spend the evening talking about the future. Above all, enjoy each other and keep your relationship healthy.

Sympathy Pains

Every day she seems to have a new and interesting pregnancy symptom to report. Suddenly you're feeling symptoms too. Sympathetic pregnancy symptoms, known as couvade, are actually a fairly common occurrence. It's estimated that up to 65 percent of men experience at least one or more pregnancy symptoms during their partner's pregnancy, including nausea, backache, weight gain, and difficulty sleeping. The cause is likely multifaceted — a combination of psychological, social, and possibly even biological factors. They do say that misery loves company; take it as a signal to have some rest and recuperation time together.