Up to 50% of couples split after having their first baby. This statistics is sad, but it points to a number of issues that need to be addressed before a couple decides to become parents. Most people don’t fully realize the amount of changes their lives will undergo once a baby is born, that’s why they are so shocked by the first few months of living together as parents. When you find out about the most common changes, you’ll be prepared to deal with all those issues and work on your relationship.
Lack of communication
Naturally, it becomes harder to talk to your partner and speak about your needs when there’s a little human crying desperately on your lap. But it doesn’t mean you don’t have any! Your partner may also feel down, tired, and emotionally drained, but since the two of you don’t speak as much as it was before, the relationship becomes strained and explodes eventually.
Strains of parenthood
This happens when new parents are devoured by the responsibility and are too stressed out to help each other to deal with it. Each partner starts feeling like he’s alone in this parenting journey, which leads to lack of trust and a crack in the relationship.
Life becomes chaotic
When a baby is born into the family of two, their lives change completely. There is less time for your partner, no time at all for yourself, and it seems you don’t really control anything anymore. Most of the couples that broke up after having a baby described their lives as being utterly chaotic, to a point when they couldn’t take it anymore.
The relationship wasn’t solid
Sadly, most of the couples who have children nowadays still do it without planning. This means that a baby enters your life without careful consideration and preparation. If there were problems before the baby, the appearance of a new human being will definitely reveal all the weak points of your relationship.
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation can destroy even the strongest relationship – just because the partners aren’t getting enough rest! You become moody, broody, irritated, and your decision-making abilities also suffer greatly. In a situation like this you are bound to have more arguments with your partner that will just keep piling up as you don’t have the time or strength to resolve the issues.
Baby as a fix for relationship
It should be obvious that using a baby as a means to fix your relationship is a bad idea, but still many people choose to do it in hope that it somehow will fix all the problems. On the contrary, a baby will only make them worse as you won’t have enough time to communicate, go on dates, be romantic, or simply sleep.
Postpartum depression
Women are expected to be happy after having a baby, but the reality is a bit more complicated than that. Postpartum depression is a pretty common thing, yet women tend to hide it from their partners, pretending they are alright. Still, they expect their spouses to know that something is wrong and help them. In the end they feel disappointed in their partner and guilty for not loving the baby as much as they should. This will put a strain on any relationship!
