Changes in the marital relationship during the first pregnancy

Some scholars who have studied the impact of the first pregnancy on marital relationships have emphasized the increase in marital strain, while others have emphasized pregnancy's beneficial effects. To clarify the nature of changes in couples’ relationships during the first pregnancy, couples in the first trimester (n = 48) and last trimester (n = 52) were compared on aspects of their relationships that reflected marital strain or strength: conflict, ambivalence, love, maintenance, time together, and marital satisfaction. Results were inconsistent with either an entirely negative or positive view of the effects of pregnancy on marriage. Despite greater discussion of relationship issues and possibly greater conflict, spouses in late pregnancy reported feeling more love. No differences were found in time together or marital satisfaction between the early and late groups. When couples were classified according to gender‐role attitudes, the most traditional couples showed the most negative interaction. The importance of differentiating behavioral from subjective aspects of relationships is stressed.