Description

Bringing a baby into your family doesn’t just change your sleep—it reshapes your relationships, your identity, and the way you experience connection. In this episode, Dr. Emily is joined by Julia Chapman, LMFT, PMH-C, for an honest, compassionate conversation about the relational shifts that often emerge during pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood.

Together, they explore how couples can stay connected during the intensity of the fourth trimester, why resentment and loneliness are so common (and so human), and how planning and communication before baby arrives can soften the shock of postpartum change.

3 Key Takeaways

1. Postpartum relationship strain is common and not a sign something is wrong.
   Shifting roles, sleep deprivation, and unequal emotional and physical labor can create distance in even the strongest partnerships.
2. Intrusive thoughts are often a sign of care, not danger.
   Many parents experience unwanted or scary thoughts in pregnancy and postpartum. What matters is whether they interfere with daily life.
3. Boundaries protect relationships, not just space.
   Clear communication with partners, parents, and friends—especially before resentment builds—supports long-term connection.

About our Guest

Julia Chapman, LMFT, PMH-C has been working in private practice since 2012. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, her training is aimed at helping people develop healthy, satisfying relationships.

Julia provides affirmative psychotherapy to adults of different cultures, genders and sexual identities. Julia enjoys assisting individuals and couples navigate major life transitions as well as cope with family of origin conflict, codependency, trauma and loss. In addition, she has a Perinatal Mental Health Certification and is passionate about helping clients navigate pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, and early parenthood.

Throughout the therapy process, Julia emphasizes the significance of the therapeutic relationship and incorporates warmth, compassion, and humor into the work. She utilizes a collaborative approach with clients, focusing on identifying strengths, developing effective communication strategies and increasing agency in their lives.

Resources 

• Postpartum Support International (PSI)
• Perinatal mental health therapy and couples counseling
• Baby Blues Connection

Keywords

postpartum relationships, fourth trimester, matrescence, intrusive thoughts postpartum, postpartum anxiety, perinatal mental health, couples therapy after baby, boundaries with in-laws, relationship changes after birth

More About Dr. Emily

Dr. Emily is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, board certified lactation consultant, specializing in pregnancy, postpartum, and babies. She is the founder and CEO of Be Well Baby, a home visit practice in Portland, Oregon, and creator or the Beyond Birth Blueprint, an online educational community that supports parents in navigating birth, recovery, babies, relationships, and nervous system health with confidence and compassion.