Becca Mather - Maternal Counsellor

25/10/2025

Ever felt foggy, forgetful or more emotional since becoming a mum? There’s a reason for that,your brain has changed.

During pregnancy and early motherhood, your hormones surge and your brain literally rewires itself. The areas linked to empathy, vigilance and emotional connection strengthen, helping you bond with your baby and respond to their needs.

It’s what people often call “baby brain,” but it’s not a sign of weakness or loss, or being forgetful or clumsy, it’s evidence of transformation. Your brain is shifting to prioritise connection and protection.

So if you don’t feel quite like your old self, that’s not failure, it’s biology. You’re adapting in the most profound way possible.

23/10/2025

What is the difference between matrescence and postnatal depression and anxiety?

Ever wondered if what you’re feeling is postnatal depression or just the messy, emotional process of becoming a mum?

They can look really similar…tired all the time, tearful, snappy, or like you’ve lost yourself a bit but they’re not the same thing.

Matrescence is the natural change you go through when you become a mum.
Your hormones, brain, and sense of self are all shifting. It can feel emotional, confusing, and like your nervous system is on overdrive but it’s a transitional part of the journey.

Postnatal depression is when that change feels too heavy to carry.
You might feel hopeless, numb, or like you can’t connect with your baby or yourself. It’s not your fault, it’s your body and mind trying to cope when everything feels too much.

Both need care and support.

If it’s Matrescence, learning what’s happening inside you helps things make more sense.
If it’s depression, please know help is out there and you don’t have to face it alone. Therapy could be something that helps you move forward. If you are interested in talking through how things have been for you recently, send me a DM and we can jump on a call

22/10/2025

09/10/2025

We go to therapy, we go through a personal development journey and yet sometimes we have learned coping strategies, yet can’t access them in the moment. We wonder was it all worth it? Yes. Yes it was. But in moments of panic and rage, we are reacting to something because the logical part of our Brain”goes offline” and what we are left with is our nervous system protecting us in the moment. It doesn’t mean you have failed, it means you’re a human being and self compassion in this moment is helpful for you to understand and to be able to reflect in moments where you have reacted, rather than responded.

Go gentle.

For online therapy for nervous system regulation, send me a DM to find out more.

03/10/2025

How we feed our children is just one of the many choices we make as parents.

I always knew I wanted to breast feed Eden. I am still annoyed to this day that I wasn’t supported in that. I started off combi feeding as because I was on my own, my mum and sister wanted to help with the feeds. I tried expressing my milk but had no knowledge that I had to do this regularly and she went onto formula full time from about 4 weeks. I was devastated, so I knew with Elara it would be different. I had lee there to support me and I made it clear this was my intention. We started off well, ended up back in hospital because she lost weight so it was good to have constant support with expressing and latching. She ended up with ni**le confusion and I ended up exclusively expressing my milk. Tied to a breast pump for 2-3 hours each day is something I look back on and feel so proud. However a part of me felt shame. Shame that I tried again and still didn’t get the outcome I wanted. Why are we so hard on ourselves? Why is there so much pressure on how is best to feed your children? However you choose to feed your baby, you’re doing amazing 🥰 motherhood is hard enough without the constant mum shaming