I've had a number of problems since the beginning of my pregnancy that has made it dangerous or at least inconvenient to have sex. My husband has been more than understanding about it, and actually TOO understanding, even though I've certainly willing to do "other things" to keep the intimacy alive. In the past 8 months, I think we've had sex twice and have done other things maybe twice (maybe even less ) However, I've been increasingly frustrated with his reluctance, and after a night of very vivid sex dreams (about other people), I woke up crying this morning, and flat-out asked him why he keeps shooting me down. He first hemmed and hawed and said that I have seemed so fragile since getting pregnant, and that he's worried about school and other aspects of his life (he has severe anxiety issues, so that part wasn't surprising), I go to bed so early now, blah blah blah. But what I pointed out is that if he really WANTED me, he'd find some way to make the time and we'd work together to accommodate whatever is my medical issue du jour.

He cuddled with me and kissed me and stroked my hair to get me to stop crying, but he had an appointment at 10 and had to leave the house. Before he left, he apologized and said that he guesses he just wasn't ready for how much pregnancy would change me. I guess that means my body Probably doesn't help that my breasts are leaking already.

Mind you, he LOVES the fact that I'm pregnant and he plays with and kisses my belly all the time. He is extremely affectionate and nurturing, and I have no doubt that he loves me tremendously. I believe he is still attracted to me, as he initiates a lot of hugging and kissing. But still, I don't know if he thinks of me as a sexual partner anymore or if we have settled into a permanent mode of platonic. We used to have such an AMAZING sex life - it's almost impossible to believe that it has faded away to almost nothing.

I love him more than anything and will stick with him and be faithful no matter what, as long as he wants that. But, I have to tell you that I'm extremely sexually frustrated and I am starting to understand why people cheat in their marriages. I would never do that, but that might even be influenced by the fact that a) I don't know anybody I'm currently attracted to, and b) who the hell would want to flirt with an 8.5 month married pregnant chick? I'm wondering if that makes it easier for me to say "I'll always be faithful".

I'm saddened by the fact that this may be the last time in my life when I like my body. I'm 38 and after I have this baby, it's going to be harder to keep weight off; I'm sure that my breasts will never look the same, and probably the same for my stomach and most likely my hoo-hoo. I have NO PROBLEM giving up these aspects of physical beauty for the sake of my baby, but I'm sad that my body and sexuality are going unappreciated when time with it is so short.

Is there anything I should do differently? I don't think I'm coming on too strong or am being demanding - my attempts always start with breakfast in bed (which he loves), a massage (which he loves), or very close snuggling. I used to say more suggestive things but it hurt THAT much more to get shot down, so I modified my approach to be less direct, but that hasn't helped at all.