Matrescence – The transition from woman to mother
- Heather Newman
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Journey into Motherhood
Motherhood is often portrayed as a beautiful, joyous experience filled with love and wonder. However, the transition into motherhood, known as matrescence, is a profound and complex process that involves physical, emotional, social, and psychological changes. Matrescence is a term coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael to describe the process of becoming a mother.
I hadn’t heard this word ‘matrescence’ until I was well into my motherhood journey. I was tuned into a live talk on Anna Marthur’s Motherhood Minds project with Mama Rising Business coach Gemma Mercer. During their discussion, my mind was blown! I specifically remember thinking “Wow, so that’s what was happening to me”. It felt validating, but also strange to have never heard this word before, ever! Gemma went on to become a huge influence and inspiration in my own materscene journey. Having worked together 1:1, Gemma helped me understand and have compassion for the monumental transformation I had gone on, and then helped me shape my new identify as both a mother and a post-partum doula.
Resource | I’ve attached a link below where you will find Gemma Mercer talking to Amy Taylor-Kabbaz on her podcast ‘Mama Rising’. discussing how to find your new identity.
So what is Matrescence exactly?
Matrescence encompasses the physical changes that occur during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. As women, our bodies undergo incredible transformations to support and nurture a growing life, from hormonal fluctuations to weight gain and physical discomfort. This transformation is often overlooked and misunderstood by society. The experience of giving birth can be intense and overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. We are often to given enough time to really process what we went through because we now have a little human in our arms, and as wonderful as that is (obviously) what we just went thought deserves time and space. Recovery postpartum can be challenging, as new mothers, we have to navigate sleep deprivation, healing from childbirth, and adjusting to the demands of caring for a newborn. It is a lot!
Emotionally, matrescence is a rollercoaster of highs and lows. The bond between mother and child begins to form during pregnancy and continues to deepen in the early days of caring for a newborn. However, the emotional challenges of motherhood can also be overwhelming. I myself have shared with you already about my own emotional challenges in early motherhood. It isn’t easy, and without proper support, can be a very isolating and scary place.
As new mothers, we may experience feelings of guilt, doubt, or anxiety as we navigate the demands of caring for a newborn, managing household responsibilities, and maintaining relationships with partners, family, and friends. Socially, matrescence can bring about changes in relationships and identity. Becoming a mother often means shifting priorities, reevaluating friendships, and adjusting to new roles within the family dynamic. This was huge for me, and I really did feel such a loss over my identify; both professionally and personally. The expectations and pressures placed on mothers by society can be immense, leading to feelings of inadequacy or isolation. Finding a support network of other mothers, friends, and family members can be crucial in navigating the challenges of matrescence (and this is where a Post Partum Doula can really help!)
Psychologically, matrescence involves a process of identity transformation. Our sense of self shifts as we take on the role of mother, incorporating this new identity into our existing sense of self. The emotional labor of motherhood, the juggling of multiple responsibilities, and the pressures of societal expectations can take a toll on a woman’s mental health – it sure did for me! It is important for new mothers to prioritise self-care, seek help when needed, and practice self-compassion during this transformative time. This can be easier said than done, as my own experience shows, but again this is why having a postpartum doula in your corner, or planning for your postpartum can make a huge difference.
Resource | I have linked a TED Talk by Alexandra Sacks discussing ‘A new way to think about the transition into Motherhood’.Alexandra Sacks also wrote a wonderful article – ‘The Birth of a Mother’, published in the New York Times about the transition into Motherhood, I’ve also linked this below.
In Conclusion
Matrescence is a profound and life-changing journey that all mothers go through. It is a process that involves physical, emotional, social, and psychological changes as women transition into the role of motherhood. It’s monumental, intense and all consuming, also it’s inevitable – and yet more often than not, this huge transition isn’t given the time, space and care it deserves. The medical term ‘matrescence’ isn’t widely known, and the understanding of the transition a blur. Whilst we are going through this incredible transformation, we can also experience huge loss. I myself experienced deep loss during my own matrescence journey (something I will write about in a separate journal post because I believe grief in motherhood needs it’s own space).
The challenges of matrescence are daunting, so by seeking support, practicing self-care, and embracing the journey of matrescence, we can navigate the complexities of motherhood with grace and resilience.
Matrescence Resource
I have posted a link below to a youtube clip of Amy Taylor-Kabbaz author of ‘Mama Rising’ and creator of the ‘Mama Rising’ Podcast and discussing Matrescence with Lucy Jones, author of the book ‘Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood”.
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