Pregnant and New Parent Coaching

"Two out of three couples experience a serious decline in the happiness of the relationship in the three years after the first baby arrives."  -Dr. John Gottman

How about "baby-proofing" your relationship before baby-proofing your home?

Moving from couplehood to parenthood presents a multitude of feelings from intense excitement to overwhelming fear. The moments between imagining a new baby and parenting a child are generally a mixture of both awe and challenge. This time can be filled with wonder and joy but may also include disappointment, anxiety, periods of disconnect from one's partner, and sometimes, even sadness or depression. Although nothing can fully prepare you for the transition of bringing a baby home, couples counseling can help.

During the Pregnancy

Nine months can seem like a long time. Along with picking names and decorating a nursery, how about doing a Relationship Tune-Up? Depending upon the length and quality of your relationship, you may want to spend a minimum of three sessions:

• Assessing how your relationship is meeting each of your expectations
• Addressing any areas of conflict and disappointment
• Tweaking your communication with each other
• Learning conflict resolution strategies
• Exploring parenting styles
• Anticipating the relationship pitfalls you may expect in the first weeks of your baby's life

After Baby Arrives

Every aspect of a couple's relationship is impacted by the arrival of your "bundle of joy."  We can meet after your baby is here, for one or more regularly scheduled session or sporadic ones, to problem-solve relationship issues as they appear such as the:

• Impact of sleep deprivation on daily functioning
• Intense focus on baby's needs
• Shifting roles and additional duties/responsibilities
• Postpartum hormonal changes impacting mood
• Normal anxiety of new parents
• Finding couple time or time for oneself
• Ways to maintain intimacy when one or both of you would rather sleep than have sex
• Forgetting how to fight fairly or communicating in a healthy manner
• Different views on dealing with extended family or friendly advice

I have been working with families making the transition to parenthood for more than 30 years. My previous role as a childbirth educator, lactation consultant, facilitator of new parent support groups, and a mom of two kids is a natural progression to working with couples wanting to "baby-proof" their relationship. Contact me so I can answer any questions you may have as you embark upon this incredible life adventure!

 

Karen Rowinsky, LSCSW, offers one-on-one counseling, marriage counseling and couples therapy, family therapy, and relationship coaching. Her Overland Park, Kansas office services clients from the Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Olathe, and Kansas City, MO areas.