A pregnant woman has hit back at people who judge her for her polyamorous marriage.
Alexis Watts from Central Valley, California, is currently expecting her fourth child with her husband of four years.
The 28-year-old and her partner are polyamorous and so both have emotional and sexual relationships outside their marriage. Alexis argues her two-year relationship with her boyfriend has aided the communication with her husband.
Alexis says most people think polyamory is 'about sex' when actually it's 'about relationships' and 'having more love to give'.
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"We're not walking around in red heels and lipstick trying to take your partner, we only want consenting parties," she adds.
The 28-year-old also notes her boyfriend of two years 'meets needs [her] husband can't'.
"For example, he's a therapist so we have deeper conversations," she says. "In fact, we weren't intimate for a very long time because our emotional connection was so strong."
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Jealousy is often a factor people flag as having the potential to cause issues when considering a polyamorous relationship and Alexis admits she and her partners do get jealous - they're 'human and it's a natural emotion', she says.
However, the 28-year-old argues it 'doesn't have to be a bitter and defensive emotion' and can actually lead to people growing by learning 'how to communicate around it'.
She says: "It's essential to identify what makes you jealous and what you need from your partner.
"It's quite therapeutic."
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Alexis urges people who are 'judgemental' about her and her partners' polyamory to 'ask questions in a polite way'.
"I get a lot of comments and questions about the lifestyle. [...] Some people are judgemental but it's because they don't understand what polyamory is.
"I always respond with kindness [...] I didn't have the vocabulary for polyamory when I was growing up as I was raised in a southern Baptist community.
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"My family are supportive, they were confused and wanted to make sure it wasn't a phase at first but they're on board now.
"[...] We want to teach others about the lifestyle and make it more accepted."
Alexis resolves both she, her husband and her boyfriend are 'so excited' to 'add another baby to the family'.
She resolves: "Expecting a baby can be quite stressful but I have the support of two amazing men."
Topics: Real Life, Life, Sex and Relationships, Parenting, Mental Health
Poppy Bilderbeck