My Boyfriend Says I feel Different Inside During Pregnancy

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! If you haven’t already noticed, you can expect your body to go through a lot of changes during pregnancy.

You might find yourself wondering ‘why does my boyfriend say I feel different during pregnancy?’ And the answer, he’s probably right, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything to worry about. The body works in the most miraculous ways and you’re about to see how!

This blog includes:

• Pregnancy journey
• Pregnancy hormones
• My boyfriend says I feel different inside during pregnancy
• Sex during pregnancy
• My boyfriend says I feel different inside during pregnancy – Changes to the vagina
• Communicating about sex in a relationship during pregnancy

Pregnancy journey

First trimester

In pregnancy there are three trimesters, each of which involves getting you ready for labour. The first trimester runs from week 1 all the way up to week 12.

In this trimester you might experience early pregnancy symptoms. These can include:

• Sore breasts
• Tiredness
• Morning sickness
• Increased urination

You may also experience some spotting at 4 weeks pregnant. This is quite normal and can often be due to implantation bleeding. This occurs as the foetus attaches itself to the uterine wall, which can cause cramping.

Experiencing all of these changes can make women feel disinterested in sex. Many women find that it actually increases their sex drive.

Second trimester

The second trimester begins in week 13 and ends after week 26. During the 2nd trimester you may notice some of the first trimester symptoms going away.

This trimester has its own symptoms including:

• Feeling more hungry
• Increased bump size (may be accompanied by itching)
• Potential to feel baby movement
• Constipation
• Backache (due to weight gain)
• Vaginal discharge

Every woman is different and may display a whole range of pregnancy symptoms. At this stage, the muscles in the lower part of the abdomen are stretching which can lead to aches. Pregnancy hormones may also cause changes.

If you become worried about any of your pregnancy symptoms, it’s always best to seek advice.

It can be a good idea to buy a notepad to help you with tracking pregnancy symptoms. This can be particularly helpful for women in their first pregnancy.

Third trimester

You’re almost there! Many women feel a little nervous at this point in pregnancy but it’s almost time to meet the baby!

The third trimester begins in week 27 and continues until the end of the pregnancy.

Here are some of the pregnancy symptoms in this trimester:

• Increased temperature
• Swelling in the ankles and feet
• Braxton-Hicks contractions
• Nipple leakage
• Lower blood pressure
• Increased need to use the toilet
• Vaginal discharge

Many of the symptoms from the second trimester can continue into this time. All pregnancies are different and just because a woman you know felt one thing, it doesn’t mean you will too.

Pregnancy hormones

Pregnancy comes with a significant change in hormones. These hormones are responsible for giving your baby nutrients and even that pregnancy glow! In the early stages they can impact your feelings and cause mood swings.

With hormones fluctuating and increasing at a rapid rate in pregnancy, it makes sense that you can experience so many symptoms.

Some important pregnancy hormones include progesterone and oestrogen. hCG is another important hormone which is only found during pregnancy.

My boyfriend says I feel different inside during pregnancy

In addition to all of those more prevalent pregnancy symptoms, there’s a lot going on inside that might go unnoticed.

Swelling and increased blood flow can cause changes to the uterus. The vagina also undergoes changes such as increasing in size and becoming softer. These changes occur to prepare the vagina to deliver the baby.

Considering all of these changes, it’s normal to be sat reading this wondering ‘why does my boyfriend say I feel different inside during pregnancy?‘

In addition to the physical changes, as a woman, you might be going through a lot mentally too. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or not, pregnancy can be hard for any woman.

It’s ok to admit it and ask for help if you need it. This is a huge step in life, it’s important to talk and get advice, even if it’s after your baby is born.

Whether it’s your partner, husband or boyfriend, once you sit down and explain these changes, they may feel better too. You may have your own feelings that you want to talk about and now is the perfect time.

Sex during pregnancy

Having sexual intercourse during pregnancy is safe in most cases and shouldn’t cause any harm. If for any reason it is not safe for you, your midwife should inform you. It may not be safe if there is a risk that you might go into very early labour.

It’s understandable why people panic about having sex during pregnancy, but there’s usually nothing to worry about. And no, your baby will not know.

Even if you feel different inside, your baby will not feel anything and you won’t cause any harm. Changes such as swelling and softening will be likely causing a different feeling.

One thing you might be struggling with is the position. This may happen as you reach the last few months due to baby growth. Having sex while pregnant shouldn’t hurt, if it does you should talk to your partner and midwife.

During sex, your child is protected by the amniotic sac and the cervix. In the early stages of pregnancy you might wonder what happens to your cervix. Some pregnant women experience a low, hard cervix at 4 weeks pregnant.

My boyfriend says I feel different inside during pregnancy – Changes to the vagina

In pregnancy, lots of changes can happen to the vagina, including the pH levels fluctuating. This can cause bacteria to build up and cause infections. It can also make you feel uncomfortable and cause light spotting during or after sex.

Many women also experience the vulva turning a blue-ish colour due to the veins increasing.

If you experience heavy bleeding like a period in pregnancy, you should seek medical advice. This could be a sign of something more serious and you may need medical attention.

With so much going on it’s completely normal if your sex life isn’t quite following its normal pattern. Maybe you’re missing out on sex or maybe you’re having even more sex than before, either way it’s your choice.

Communicating about sex in a relationship during pregnancy

What’s important is that you talk to your partner about sex during this time. We understand there’s reasons why either partner may not want to as much. They might be worried they’ll hurt you or hurt the baby or they’re simply not feeling up to it. It’s important to discuss these reasons as if they are left unspoken, your partner may start feeling insecure.

Most partners explain feelings of how much they love the body during pregnancy. If you’re choosing not to express that through physical touch, you’ll need to express it another way.

Why not run a warm bath or dress up the living room with some rose petals? You can do many small things to show someone that you care. You’ll also help your partner to relax, which is very important during pregnancy.

Pregnancy emotions

Communication is important all of the time, but especially during pregnancy when there’s lots of emotions present for everyone. If either you or your partner are feeling uncomfortable about having sex right now, you can wait. It’s best to do what makes everyone feel comfortable during this time.

So if your partner, husband or boyfriend says your insides feel different during pregnancy, they’re probably not wrong. The best thing you can do is reassure them that everything is fine and that the baby will be safe.

If you’re not sure about having sex while pregnant, speak to your midwife or doctor. They know your medical situation and will be able to give you expert advice leading up to the arrival of your baby.