 The birth, the baby gear, the dreams about what the baby is going to look like, lists of baby names, the plans for what you hope your family will do together...these are the thoughts that parents-to-be typically mull over. Time is spent picking a pediatrician and getting lost in a vortex of research about strollers or daycares or diapers. If you're pregnant, maybe you take a childbirth education class. Perhaps an infant CPR class. You're probably not thinking so much about how to take care of yourself and your relationship post-baby. But maybe you should be. Elly Taylor writes in Becoming Us: "As becoming a family gets closer, most couples are so preoccupied with the practicalities of parenting-to-be and the prospect of birth is so huge, it's hard to focus on anything else. But as you both anticipate bonding with your new baby, be aware that the bond between the two of you is equally important -- and it supports your baby, too." While there are usually totally blissful, breathtaking moments in early parenthood, there are also usually a lot of dirty, lonely, back-breaking moments. And there are some common hurdles that come up for new partners-turned-parents during these early weeks and months: communication problems, managing grandparents or in-laws, and emotional adjustments.
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