CITE: Lake, F. The Prenatal Person: Frank Lake’s Maternal-Fetal Distress Syndrome. Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. 1981.
SUMMARY
In “The Prenatal Person,” Frank Lake presents his theory of Maternal-Fetal Distress Syndrome, which he believes is caused by unresolved trauma in the mother that is unconsciously communicated to the developing fetus. Lake argues that this trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, including physical illness, psychological disorders, and spiritual disconnection. He also explores the implications of this theory for psychotherapy, suggesting that therapeutic interventions should address the pre- and perinatal experiences of the client in order to promote healing.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Lake argues that the prenatal period is a crucial phase of human development, and that the experiences of this period can have a profound impact on an individual’s physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being throughout their life.
- He proposes that unresolved trauma in the mother can create a state of distress in the developing fetus, which can lead to a variety of physical and psychological symptoms in both the mother and child.
- Lake emphasizes the importance of addressing pre- and perinatal experiences in psychotherapy, and suggests that therapeutic interventions should aim to help clients resolve any unresolved trauma from this period in their life.
- He also explores the spiritual implications of his theory, suggesting that the prenatal period is a time of profound spiritual connection between the mother and developing child, and that unresolved trauma in this period can lead to a sense of disconnection from the divine.
SELECTED QUOTES
- “It is the thesis of this study that the prenatal psyche is not simply the result of some mechanical imprint of its environment, but is an active factor in the whole creative process of the fetal development.” (p. 4)
- “The prenatal period is not a mere prelude to life; it is the beginning of life itself” (p. 5).
- “The prenatal and perinatal phases of life are those that contain the most primitive and archaic levels of experience, which are normally buried and forgotten, yet are extremely important for an understanding of the human personality.” (p. 6)
- “In order to know and understand the prenatal psyche, one must begin to communicate with it.” (p. 7)
- “The aim of this work is to show how the experiences of the prenatal period influence the development of the adult personality and to demonstrate the methods by which it is possible to get in touch with the prenatal psyche.” (p. 12)
- “The personality that we manifest in the world of life is the outward expression of the quality of our intrauterine experiences.” (p. 24)
- “The fetus is not an inert mass of flesh growing in a mechanical fashion, but is a living, feeling organism, capable of receiving and responding to a variety of stimuli.” (p. 52)
- “If the infant is to be welcomed into life and society and accepted as a valuable and valid human being, the mother and the father must have been adequately welcomed themselves” (p. 63).
- “The fetus is capable of experiencing its own existence in a meaningful and coherent way and is thus capable of influencing the course of its own development.” (p. 76)
- “To understand the patient’s present life, we must go back to the beginning of his life as a person, and the beginning of his life as a person is in the prenatal period” (p. 93).
- “The prenatal person is a person in his own right, not merely an appendage or an extension of the mother” (p. 115).
- “The prenatal psyche is not simply the result of biological determinism, but is a dynamic, creative process that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including conscious awareness and attention.” (p. 124)
