Is Your Relationship Ready For A Baby?

Congratulations! You are transitioning from being a couple to becoming a family. The joys of parenting that await you are indescribable. If you are like most modern day couples, you want to create a strong family base for your child to thrive.

During the pregnancy, it is common for parents-to-be to spend lots of time preparing for labor and delivery and researching what baby gear and products are available, as you want to provide the best for your child. With such strong focus on the baby, it is easy to forget about the relationship between you and your partner. Studies show that the relationship can be pushed to the limits in the weeks and months after birth. When your baby arrives, everything changes. You must adapt to the 24/7 care of a new, vulnerable infant – an enormous task. Not surprisingly, as many as 70% of couples experience stress, profound conflict and drops in marital satisfaction during this time, all of which affects their baby’s care. This is natural and happens to many couples transitioning to parenthood.

Luckily, by learning from those couples who have made this transition before you, renowned relationship experts Drs. John and Julie Gottman, have developed a workshop to help prepare you for the most important and rewarding job you will ever have, raising a child. By attending this workshop, you can take the first step towards building a strong relationship between you and your partner, and your children. In this relationship saving parenting workshop, pregnant couples and parents of toddlers learn how to:

· Avoid major pitfalls that commonly overwhelm new parents

· Develop effective communication skills and cope with conflict in a positive way

· Strengthen friendship, relationship, and intimacy with your partner

· Be a great parenting team and maximize your babies development

The Bringing Baby Home workshop is now available in Los Angeles, co-presented by Certified Gottman Educators, licensed psychologist, Dr. Alyssa Berlin, PsyD and Certified Doula Cheri Masek. The experienced professionals help you prepare yourself for life with your baby in a relaxed and supportive environment. Research shows that couples who have taken this workshop tend to experience a significantly lower rate of postpartum depression, a decrease in relationship hostility and a higher level of relationship satisfaction. Detailed background materials are provided to take home so couples can revisit specific topics and intervention strategies.

This is a wonderful opportunity for pregnant couples and those with toddlers. Couples are encouraged to register for this course in second (ideal) or third trimester of pregnancy or during the first eighteen months after their baby arrives.

This Belly Scoop has been prepared by Dr. Alyssa Berlin. For more information about the seminar, as well as upcoming dates and locations, please contact Dr. Alyssa D. Berlin, PsyD at call (323)549-0070 and visit the website http://www.doctorberlin.com/custom_content/18550_bringing_baby_home.html