Prenatal, Perinatal, and Postnatal Care at Lakeside Rooms

Supporting Well-being Through Every Stage of Growing a Family

Pregnancy, birth, and the months that follow are times of profound physical, emotional, and social change. While these stages can bring joy and anticipation, they can also involve uncertainty, stress, and feelings that are difficult to talk about. It is common for parents and parents-to-be to experience mixed emotions, shifting identities, sleep disruption, or overwhelming responsibility. When these challenges begin to affect daily functioning, relationships, or sense of wellbeing, support from a psychologist or psychiatrist can make a meaningful difference.

Emotional and psychological difficulties during the perinatal period can appear in many ways. During pregnancy, individuals may experience heightened worry, changes in mood, or difficulty adjusting to health or life changes. Around the time of birth, stress, trauma, or unexpected medical experiences can influence emotional recovery. In the postnatal period, some parents notice intrusive thoughts, irritability, sadness, difficulty bonding, or feeling disconnected from their usual self. These responses are not signs of inadequacy - they are signals that someone is navigating immense change with the tools they currently have.

Perinatal mental health challenges are also very common. Many expectant or new parents experience anxiety, adjustment difficulties, or low mood during this period. Sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, birth experiences, and shifting family dynamics all play a role. Seeking support is a proactive and healthy step, and early help can positively shape both parent and child wellbeing.

How Lakeside Rooms Can Help

Lakeside Rooms psychologists and psychiatrists take the time to understand each person’s experience - how pregnancy, birth, or early parenting is affecting their emotional world, relationships, and day-to-day functioning. Practitioners work collaboratively to strengthen coping, build confidence, and support a nurturing bond between parents and their babies.

Evidence-based therapeutic approaches may include:
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – addressing worry, low mood, and unhelpful thought patterns
• Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) – supporting self-kindness and reducing guilt or self-criticism
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – navigating difficult feelings while staying connected to personal values
• Trauma-informed approaches – processing challenging or unexpected pregnancy or birth experiences
• Parent–Infant Therapy / Attachment-focused support – strengthening connection and supporting bonding
• Psychoeducation and practical strategies – building confidence in the transition to parenthood
• Partner or family-inclusive sessions – enhancing communication and shared understanding
• Psychiatric consultation – for assessment, diagnosis, and guidance on medication options where appropriate and safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Support can also focus on managing sleep and feeding pressures, building routines that sustain well-being, improving relationship communication during early parenthood, and creating a support network during a vulnerable time.

Lakeside Rooms has practitioners experienced in working with expectant parents, birthing parents, partners, and families. Treatment approach during the perinatal period is managed with warmth, understanding, and respect, which aims to help individuals feel steadier, more supported, and more connected as they navigate one of life’s biggest transitions.