28/03/2025
Puberty — we all remember the hormones, the identity shifts, the emotional chaos. We were given a bit of slack for the outbursts, slammed bedroom doors, and riding the emotional rollercoaster. But what about matrescence — the equally intense, rarely-discussed transition into motherhood?
Coined in 1973 by Dana Raphael, "matrescence" describes the physical, emotional, and social changes women experience when they become mothers. Yes, there's a whole lot of love — but it can also be about loss: of identity, independence, and relationships as you knew them.
Yet, this word or transition is rarely discussed — it's a word that never popped up in my NCT classes or midwife appointments. This leaves many new mothers feeling pressured, with an expectation to ‘have it all together’ the moment their baby arrives.
But what if we expected and had increased awareness of this transition, the same way we expect puberty? Maybe we’d feel less isolated and more supported. Just like puberty, it’s a process — not an overnight transformation.
The reality? You’re not failing — you’re evolving.
Knowing what matrescence is doesn’t fix the hard bits, but it helps you name what you're feeling and the process you're going through — and that in itself can be all you need, recognition.
When a baby is born, so is a mother.
Swipe for some resources that can be helpful preparing for, reflecting on, or when you're in the midst of matrescence. Head to the link in bio for the latest website article on the topic.
