Some perspective: We are opening a new business for my wife, the building construction is in it's final push right now. She is in the latter stages of her pregnancy. We've got a toddler. Essentially, she is feeling the stress right now.

Event: On the sex front we are probably averaging 2-3 times a week. Of course, as the pregnancy has progressed the quality, immersion, etc. has declined. I have tried to let this slide for the most part as I think many men have it much worse then me during pregnancy. (I'm making an assumption here based off of friend's off-hand comments.)

This past Sunday, another session which was unsatisfactory. She apologized, said she feels like an ass, right when it ended. I didn't want to complain or try to negotiate desire, so I told her it was fine. However, I did begin to withdraw attention and affection on Monday and Tuesday. I had things to do including setting up this massive swing set for our toddler. It took me about 6 hours over a couple of days, but it is completed. The goal being some low level dread. (I'm still around the house, but focusing on everything else.)

I come inside last night from my workshop and I can hear her and our toddler are in the middle of a battle. One look at her body language tells me she's in over her head. I let them sort out the problem and went ahead prepping his bath, etc. (I usually would step in and diffuse.) She bathes him and puts him to sleep. She comes into the room, sits Indian style on the bed facing me while I am reading a book, and says, "I'm not right."

At this point I knew I could be the oak and make her day better. I could be her sounding board and end all her doubt. I didn't. I told her I noticed, and went back to reading.

Here's my question or where I'm getting lost in the process: The leader/captain in me wanted to squash the issue and make her feel better. However, the red pill in me said, "You've withdrawn attention and affection for a day, and she is a mess. Maybe she will get the point if you don't provide it for her now." Or was that the beta in me being vindictive?

The comfort test was an avenue for sex in all likelihood, but why would I want more of the pregnant sex I have come to despise? At the time, I felt like there was no way she had gotten the point that quick. Now, I'm going back and forth in my mind on the correct step here.

This morning she was fine, and it was the usual routine.