Summary

Melanie Bonk, a certified love, sex, and relationship coach, discusses the importance of intimacy and sex in a couple's relationship and how it evolves over time, especially as a couple has children. She shares her personal experience of using sex as a barometer for emotional well-being and the importance of meeting each other's needs. Melanie also talks about how sex and intimacy often change during pregnancy and after childbirth, including different personal experiences with each of her pregnancies and births. She emphasizes the need for communication within the couple relationship, creating a safe space, and honoring individual needs and desires. Melanie also highlights the impact of a thriving sexual relationship on parenting and raising sexually healthy and empowered children.

Keywords

intimacy, sex, relationship, emotional well-being, pregnancy, childbirth, pleasure, communication, needs, desires, trauma, birth trauma, pleasure practices, consent, sex-positive parenting

Takeaways

• Sex can be a barometer for emotional well-being and the health of a partnership.
• Sex and intimacy evolve and change over time in a relationship, with large changes occurring as a couple becomes a family.
• Pregnancy and childbirth can have different effects on sex and intimacy and require unique approaches to navigating.
• Creating a safe space, open communication, and honoring individual needs are important in
  maintaining a thriving sexual relationship.
• A thriving sexual relationship can positively impact parenting and raising sexually healthy and empowered children.

Guest Contact

Website: melaniebonk.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/bonkbetter/

Free Gifts:

Free Pod: melaniebonk.com/podIdeas of things to do in your alone time if intimacy with your partner feels like too much: Dance, Take a bath or long shower, Journal, Reach out to someone in your circle, Breath-work, Meditate, Walk in nature, Yoga, Favorite craft/art

Host Contact

Stephanie Dueger, PhD, LPC

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://preparedforparenthood.com⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/preparedforparenthood/⁠⁠⁠

FB: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/people/Prepared-for-Parenthood/100075999845994/⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7RHCyYa-ChfUN4xd6llDfQIf you enjoyed this podcast, please help it succeed by Rating, Reviewing, Subscribing, and Downloading it on iTunes. Thank you for your support!