Cue up Salt ‘n’ Pepa! They provide the soundtrack to this candid conversation with our girlfriends Julia, Cathy and Stacie. We’ve long been pals with the gregarious authors of Babyproofing Your Marriage, so with the holiday of love upon us, “Let’s Talk about Sex, Baby!”

Eliza: Since romance (beyond the Valentine card) has ushered so many of our readers to their current “mama-to-be” status, what do you recommend for keeping it fresh -- and frisky -- during pregnancy?

Julia, Cathy and Stacie: There are couples who claim to have had the best sex of their married lives during pregnancy, and while we’re delighted for them (honestly we are), our sex lives took a bit of a hit during our pregnancies. From what readers and our girlfriends tell us, it seems we were not alone. Exhaustion and nausea, dad-to-be fears that they will “hit the baby on the head,” raging hormones, and feeling as big -- and about as sexy -- as a barn can amount to some pretty serious passion killers.

But intimacy with your partner is more important than ever when you’re pregnant. Moms-to-be can feel vulnerable and need attention and affection from their men. Dads-to-be probably wouldn’t admit it, but they have some anxieties of their own that a little TLC can relieve. And don’t forget: those nine months are the last time you won’t worry about a little voice outside your bedroom door saying, “Mommy, where’s my Build-a-Bear?” at just the wrong moment until the baby packs off for college, so take advantage of it!

If one or both of you is not up for sex, stay connected with each other by cuddling and kissing. Don’t forget about romance just because sex might be off the agenda for a while. Light a few candles, get out for a quiet dinner, or engage in some sweet (or other sort of) talk. If finances allow, make an advance booking in a hotel for a night away when the baby is about three months old. This will give you both something to look forward to. This keep-the-connection advice applies post-delivery as well!