When couples start to consider having a child, often times those considerations are followed swiftly by panic or fear. While some couples choose to have a baby to save their marriage and others haven't the slightest, even lingering trepidation about bringing a baby into the mix, many are (rightfully) afraid that having a baby ruins your relationship no matter what.
And honestly, it's an understandable assumption: When you have a baby, you're no longer capable of focusing on just the two of you all of the time. Responsibilities shift and patience is tested and a strain is put on your relationship, even if you're ridiculously compatible and have the healthiest connection imaginable. But along with those hardships and challenges comes an opportunity to actually strengthen your relationship, a fact that is often overlooked when couples contemplate starting a family. Sure, it will be difficult and yes, sometimes it will seem downright impossible, but there's a beautiful chance for your relationship to grow in ways you couldn't have possibly imagined, and for the two of you to become even closer than you were before bellies grew and contractions started and spit-up became a regular thing.
Of course, like any other relationship situation, growing stronger after having a baby requires conscious effort and work. But there is also an underlying force, a palpable connection you cannot see but are always aware of, that somehow makes the work seem less hard. You'll have your trying days and your frustrated days and your downright "I'm running away and never coming back, someone please do all of this for me because it's just too much" days, but they'll be bookended by reminders that your relationship is better, because you had a baby.
Here are just a few signs that your relationship with your partner is stronger, all because you decided to start a family of your own.