The influence of parity on the experience of pregnancy: a comparison of first- and second-time expectant couples.

There is a belief prevalent in Western society that pregnancy is more stressful for first-time expectant couples. Few research studies have addressed this issue and the existing findings, on both men and women, are conflicting. The present investigation found higher psychological symptom levels in both members of second-time expectant couples in the third trimester; however, differences reached statistical significance only for men. Second-time couples tended to have lower emotional attachment to their unborn baby. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of parity on stresses arising both from the pregnancy experience and the environment.