Congruence of the Marital Relationship During Transition to Parenthood: A Study with Couples Who Conceived Spontaneously or Through Assisted Reproductive Technologies

In this study we examined the congruence between partners’ perceptions of their marital relationship during the transition
to parenthood and the effect of depression during pregnancy on couples’ congruence during the early postpartum period. Thirty-one
couples who conceived spontaneously, along with thirty-five who conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART),
provided data on their marital relationship and depression at their 24th pregnancy week and four months after the partum.
All couples reported a decrease in marital congruence. Couples who conceived through ART reported lower marital congruence.
For these subjects, women’s depression was associated with lower congruence. Interventions that focus on strengthening the
marital relationship across the transition to parenthood should assess and promote couples’ congruence.