Is it normal to want a divorce after having a baby?
It’s not unusual for thoughts of divorce to come up after a baby arrives, when exhaustion and stress can put a relationship under enormous pressure. That doesn’t automatically mean you should stay or leave; it’s worth looking at what’s driving the feeling and whether it eases with support and rest.
A new baby can bring sleep deprivation, less time together, arguments about responsibilities, and a big change in how you see your relationship. Plenty of couples hit a rough patch, and some people have a “I can’t do this anymore” moment that’s really about being overwhelmed—not a settled decision about the marriage.
But the feeling can also point to problems that were already there, or to behavior you shouldn’t have to tolerate. If you can, avoid making a major decision in the middle of a crisis, and try talking honestly with your partner or a couples counselor. You’re also allowed to take the thought seriously rather than dismissing it as “just hormones” or stress.
If you’re feeling persistently hopeless, panicky, or unlike yourself after the birth, talk with a healthcare professional; postpartum mental health struggles can affect either parent and are treatable.