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Becoming parents is one of the biggest changes and challenges a couple can experience. Satisfaction typically declines in couple relationships over time, whether there is a new baby or not. But first time parents experience a greater and more sudden decline in marital satisfaction than married couples who are not parents. Approximately half of new parent couples experience moderate (38%) to severe (13%) declines in marital quality; approximately onethird experience no change; and 19% actually experience improved relationships. Overall, mothers experience greater declines in marital satisfaction than fathers, which is greatest when parenting infants. Declines seem to continue at least through the first few years of parenthood and may last longer if more babies are added to the family.