The article discusses the socioeconomic changes, such as women's autonomy and the timing of the first birth, in a semi-urban community in Nepal. Based upon theoretical and empirical studies, the author argues that social transformation which encourages quicker intimacy between spouses is an important factor in the explanation of temporal changes in the interval between marriage and first birth. The analysis of the first birth interval revealed that this interval has been declining among the Newar women of Kirtipur. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2006-10-28)