Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Navigating Conflict and Connection with Perinatal Relationship Coach Rhona Berens

Episode Overview:

Join your hosts Sophia and Carissa (our newest student midwife!) as they sit down with Rhona Berens, PhD, PCC, a seasoned perinatal relationship coach and co-author of Fight Right for Your Baby: The How-To Guide for Expecting and New Parents to Shift from Conflict to Connection.

In this insightful episode, they dive into the complex dynamics of relationships during the perinatal period and explore topics such as:

• How a baby’s arrival impacts relationships

• Identifying conflict styles and their impact

• Tools to shift from conflict to connection

• Red flags for birth workers to recognize when referring clients for additional support

Rhona’s expertise provides practical tools for both birth professionals and parents to navigate conflict in ways that foster connection, repair, and relationship satisfaction—ultimately supporting the developmental health of babies and families.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Babies and Relationships

• How the perinatal period shifts relationship dynamics and common challenges for new and expecting parents.

2. Conflict Styles and Impact

• Understanding the different ways couples handle conflict and how it can affect family harmony.

3. Tools for Fighting Right

• Highlights from Rhona’s book, including 40+ “bite-size” tools to resolve conflict effectively and reconnect.

4. Red Flags for Birth Workers

• What birth professionals should watch for in relationships to recognize when to refer out for additional support.

5. Fostering Connection

• Why addressing conflict healthily is essential for children’s developmental health and parents’ relationship satisfaction.

About Rhona Berens:

Rhona Berens, PhD, PCC, is an experienced Relationship Coach specializing in supporting new and expecting parents as they navigate the shifts that come with a baby’s arrival. With over a dozen years of experience, Rhona has worked with perinatal professionals across the US and Canada, delivering keynotes, workshops, and webinars to help better support families during this pivotal time.

Her co-authored book, Fight Right for Your Baby, is a research-based resource offering tools for intervening in conflict, fostering repair, and creating connection that benefits both parents and their children.

Recommendations by Rhona:

• And Baby Makes Three: https://www.gottman.com/product/and-baby-makes-three/

Connect with Rhona Berens:

• Instagram: @fightrightbooks

• Website: www.rhonaberens.com

• Book: www.fightrightbooks.com

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram: @sophiabirth, @bayareahomebirth, @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Thoughts:

Rhona’s expertise reminds us that navigating conflict is a normal part of relationships, especially during the transformative perinatal period. Her practical tools help families shift from conflict to connection, building stronger relationships that benefit both parents and children.

Stay Wild 🌳