The Need for Intimacy

35-36 weeks pregnant, Health advice

To read the previous part, go to The Need for Support.

A woman in labour’s need for intimacy in a hospital context is not easy to respect in a hospital setting. This is due to rotating shifts for staff and nurses and on-call doctors. While efforts are always made to ensure a couple’s intimacy while in the maternity ward, in reality, it will always be limited.

Nurses who share these intimate moments with couples start out as an unknown person, and links need to be created. Depending on the hospital, there may also be medical students, interns or residents. Add to this the anesthetist (who may be asked for during labour), a gynecologist (in case of complications), or a neonatologist (if the baby is premature), and you can understand why there may be more people around than you expected. This shows why it’s essential to express your needs as the childbirth experience proceeds.

Some couples want to invite a third person, someone from their family or a friend. This is very legitimate, but make sure that you are very comfortable with this person before inviting them. Make sure you feel free to express your feelings without holding back, ensure you feel loved and surrounded by strong, positive energy.

However, if you have doubts, don’t invite them! Childbirth is a significant experience in life, one you will never forget. This may mean that you should experience it intimately as a couple.

There are no miracle recipes for all couples. The staff present will try to create a relationship, adapt to the needs expressed by the couples they meet. Personally, as a nurse in a maternity ward for 10 years, I can say that I always saw my role as a great privilege. I was able to witness the forces of life every day, by parents’ sides. This is what human relationships are about, working with people! We want each parent to experience the childbirth experience as positive as possible.

I hope this article has helped you understand what is coming and to make some decisions conscientiously.

Talk soon,

Marie
The Baby Expert 

Discover our videos

Subscribe to a monthly or quarterly package now to access full videos.

Natural Childbirth in a Hospital

Natural Childbirth in a Hospital

Come will Marie and see the birth of Chantal and Joel’s second child, Léa. The couple chose to give birth
Childbirth in a Hospital with an Epidural

Childbirth in a Hospital with an Epidural

Marie accompanies Karine and Jocelyn to the hospital for the birth of their second baby. During this birth, the doctor
Twins

Twins

Did you know that the average gestation perod for twins is 36 weeks, rather than 40? If you are having
Breastfeeding : Engaging with my baby

Breastfeeding : Engaging with my baby

What happens during the first moments with your baby? How does the body prepare for breastfeeding? Marie talks with new

Discover other articles

The Signs and Symptoms of Gestational Hypertension during Pregnancy

The Signs and Symptoms of Gestational Hypertension during Pregnancy

To learn about the characteristics of gestational hypertension, please read Defining Gestational Hypertension. Signs and symptoms of gestational hypertension are many during pregnancy. Other than
Recommendations from my expert, Marie-Ève.

Recommendations from my expert, Marie-Ève.

If you would like to learn more about evaluating urine incontinence, read Status Report. Si vous souhaitez approfondir vos connaissances sur l'évaluation des pertes urinaires,
My period is late but the pregnancy test is negative. Am I pregnant

My period is late but the pregnancy test is negative. Am I pregnant

I just took a pregnancy test with my period being three days late and it’s negative, but I am convinced that I am pregnant. Can
RESP Contributions - A Life-Long Gift!

RESP Contributions – A Life-Long Gift!

Are you about to give birth or recently welcomed your baby? Do your friends and family want to give a gift for the arrival of

The Need for Intimacy

Par Marie Fortier Temps de lecture: 1 min
0