The transition to parenthood is one of the most significant life events for couples, bringing substantial changes to their relationship in areas such as communication, conflict, sexuality, intimacy, division of household tasks, leisure time, and daily routines. These changes can influence both relationship satisfaction and the psychological well-being of each partner. The aim of this master’s thesis was to explore which aspects of the relationship change after childbirth, how partners perceive and cope with these changes, and which factors, in their view, contribute to maintaining or reducing relationship satisfaction. The study also examined the role of grandparents in the life of the newly formed family. Fourteen participants took part in semi-structured interviews; all were parents of children between one and three years of age, living in the same household and in a romantic relationship with their child’s other parent. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that participants perceived the adjustment to new parental roles as challenging and reported focusing more attention on the child than on their partner. The most notable changes were observed in the amount of time spent together as a couple and in personal time, both of which decreased after the birth of the child. Partners developed new ways of spending time together and most frequently reported changes in sexuality and intimacy, communication and conflict, emotional connectedness, division of household tasks and childcare, as well as shifts in personality dynamics. Participants described the transition to parenthood as a demanding period filled with challenges, combining positive emotions of connection, trust, and support with negative experiences such as exhaustion, fatigue, loneliness, frustration, and sadness. The involvement of grandparents was generally perceived as supportive; their geographical proximity and active participation were seen as important factors in maintaining relationship quality. Communication emerged as the key protective factor for sustaining relationship quality and satisfaction throughout the transition to parenthood. The findings provide valuable insights into the specific challenges and relational changes experienced by new parents and may help prepare future parents for potential shifts in their relationship after childbirth.
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