Can I bring my baby with me?

Absolutely! We encourage parents to bring their baby with them if they feel comfortable doing so, especially if your concerns are related to attachment/bonding with your baby. Please don’t feel that you have to arrange care for your baby in order to meet with us, although it is also understandable if you would prefer to meet with us alone. We have baby-friendly facilities at our clinic (include change table), as well as a baby friendly consulting room (natural eco-friendly toys, playmat, soft lighting etc).

How about bringing along a support person?

We know that sometimes it can be daunting to attend an appointment and / or you may wish to involve others in your care. Support people are welcome at appointments and you may bring someone along with you if you wish. Please feel comfortable to do what works for you and your whanau/family.

Is this a service only for mothers or women?

Parents (and often babies) are at heart of all that we do. Sometimes these parents may be mothers and/or women, other times they may be men, fathers, transgender folk, those who identify as non-binary. We are welcoming and inclusive anyone who would like to work with us, and are dedicated to inclusive and respectful care for the LBGTQIA+ (takatāpui) community. We are happy to talk with you if you’d like to check out if we might be right for you before making an appointment!

Do you work with couples? My relationship with my partner has really changed since having a baby.

Yes we do. Couple relationships are very commonly impacted by the transition to parenthood, IVF etc, and these tend to bring up issues that can be difficult to navigate including differing expectations and experiences, establishing new roles, difficulties with communication etc. It can also be incredibly helpful for couples to engage in preparation for parenthood before baby arrives but this work can also be equally valuable if undertaken at any point postnatally.

What about if I’ve lost a baby?

The loss of a baby is like no other loss. It can pervade a person's sense of self, their relationships, subsequent pregnancies, and subsequent parenting. We provide specialised support to parents to integrate their loss into their ongoing lives, and to optimally parent their other children, in the midst of grief. We also recognise that the impact of loss extends through bereaved parents, their families, and through the maternity settings in which losses occur.

I’m struggling with the physical symptoms of pregnancy. How can a psychologist/therapist help?

We also commonly work with parents who may be experiencing a range of physical struggles during pregnancy (including Hyperemesis Gravidarum) and recognise the link between physical and psychological wellbeing. We can support pregnant people to learn relaxation exercises, meditation, self-hypnosis, imagery or other skills that can help with physical symptoms, as well as with anxiety that may be related to undergoing medical treatments or the symptoms themselves. Psychologists and therapists can also empower pregnant people to make more informed choices in the face of often-conflicting advice and can help them communicate more effectively with their health care providers.

Talking with a psychologist or therapist can support you to manage the psychological and emotional impacts of navigating physical symptoms that may be confusing or distressing.

I’m considering or have had a termination and want to talk about it. Can you help?

Statistics tell us that one in every four New Zealand pregnant people have an abortion. It's not talked about a lot in public, but choosing an abortion procedure is not an uncommon experience. There can be lots of factors which may impact a persons decision and having a space to explore your feelings, thoughts and any relevant issues, can be really important to support your emotional wellbeing (whatever you decide). We are an open-minded, unbiased, and non judgmental team of clinicians. We offer a neutral stance with regard to termination so that you can feel comfortable being supported to work through and process your own experience.

Other questions?

Send us a message and one of our friendly team will be more than happy to help.