[Experience of early pregnancy. Case study in 10 primiparee and their partners]

Ten couples with their first pregnancy were followed to the end of the second trimester of pregnancy by semi-standardized interviews on their coping with the pregnancy. Typical symptoms of early pregnancy such as nausea and vomiting were not always considered to be a nuisance but at times desired in view of an identification with the pregnancy and the growing infant. It was proof to be pregnant. The first six months of the pregnancy are characterized by a growing responsibility of the parents for each other but also by new conflicts in the relationship between the partners. The involvement of the male partner is higher when there is a higher desire for conception and parenthood. The quickening is a important event since the fetus is now thought of more and more as a baby and pregnancy is more openly admitted in public. Coping with the early pregnancy is easier understood if the emotions are recognized scientifically as an original and important dimension. This dimension is basically different from the technical rationality of modern medicine and requires integration of rationality and intuition.