A write head, the write head having an air bearing surface, the write head including a magnetic write pole, wherein at the air bearing surface, the write pole has a trailing surface, a leading surface that is opposite the trailing surface, and first and second surfaces; a trailing shield proximate the trailing surface of the magnetic write pole; first and second gaps proximate the first and second surfaces of the magnetic write pole; first and second side shields proximate the first and second gaps, each of the first and second side shields having a trailing shield surface; and first and second antiferromagnetic-coupling layers positioned between the trailing shield surfaces of the first and second side shields and the trailing shield.