- Matrescence is the transition into motherhood, encompassing emotional, physical, and psychological changes.
- The emotional ups and downs are normal and part of adjusting to a new identity, while the physical changes include hormonal shifts and recovery from childbirth.
- Understanding matrescence helps normalise the experience and fosters self-compassion.
- Coping strategies for matrescence include self-care, social support, and professional guidance.
Becoming a mother is one of life’s biggest transitions. It’s more than just welcoming a new baby, it’s a profound transformation called matrescence. Although it was coined in the 1970s, this term is still not recognised by major dictionaries and spell-check doesn't even recognise it, but every mother does.
Awareness of Matrescence (both its existence and even the definition) is low. It’s often only discovered and understood once a woman has already gone through it (or is struggling with transitioning into motherhood) yet it’s one of the most universal experiences.
Like adolescence, matrescence involves physical, emotional, and psychological changes as women adapt to motherhood. Understanding it can help new mums feel less isolated and more supported.
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What is matrescence?
It’s a life-changing process. The transition into motherhood. It brings changes in identity, questions about values, fluctuating emotions, and the information overload mothers often encounter after giving birth. Many of these shifts are rooted in hormonal changes.
Understanding matrescence
Matrescence begins during pregnancy and continues through the first year or more of raising a child. Like adolescence, it brings identity shifts, hormonal changes, and emotional growth. It also transforms a woman’s sense of self, her relationships, and everyday life.
The term was coined in the mid-1970s by anthropologist Dana Raphael, who challenged the idea that women are automatically “built” for motherhood. Adjusting to motherhood is a gradual process that takes time.
When a baby is born, so is a mother, and she needs care and support too.
Signs of matrescence
- Feeling emotionally unpredictable or unusually sensitive
- Struggling with your sense of identity or independence
- Heightened awareness of responsibility and caregiving
- Experiencing a mix of joy, anxiety, or guilt
How to pronounce “Matrescence”
The word matrescence is pronounced: muh-TRESS-enss
- “ma” sounds like “muh”
- “tres” rhymes with “dress”
- “cence” sounds like “enss”
Think of it as mother + adolescence. Matrescence is literally the “adolescence of motherhood.” Repeating it a few times with this in mind can make it easier to remember and use confidently.
Emotional changes during matrescence
New mothers often experience a rollercoaster of emotions, no two journeys are the same. Adjusting to a new maternal role while reconciling your pre-baby identity can feel challenging.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, joyful, anxious, or uncertain, often all at once. Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and the responsibilities of parenthood can amplify these feelings.
Recognising that these changes are part of matrescence can help reduce shame or isolation.
Coping strategies for emotional shifts
- Talk openly with your partner, friends, or a support group
- Prioritise rest and self-care whenever possible
- Keep a journal to process your thoughts and emotions
- Seek professional support if feelings of anxiety or depression persist or impact daily life
Physical changes during matrescence
Pregnancy and childbirth bring obvious physical transformations, but matrescence also involves less visible changes. Hormonal fluctuations can affect mood, skin, hair, and energy levels, while your body recovers, adjusts to a new routine, and nourishes the baby (if you choose to breastfeed or express milk).
Psychological growth in early motherhood
Matrescence isn’t only about challenges; it’s also a period of remarkable personal growth.
Many new parents develop resilience, empathy, and problem-solving skills. Motherhood can reshape priorities, strengthen relationships, and reveal inner strengths.
Navigating matrescence
Understanding matrescence helps you move through this period with self-compassion, accepting changes as natural, and giving yourself grace for a smoother transition. Support from partners, family, friends, and professionals is essential.
Getting support
A problem shared is a problem halved. Ways to gain support during matrescence include:
- Sharing responsibilities with your partner or trusted family members
- Joining local or online parent support groups
- Consulting a psychologist, counsellor, or maternal health professional
Matrescence is a natural and transformative part of becoming a mother. By understanding the emotional, physical, and psychological changes involved, new mums can approach this transition with confidence and compassion. Remember, it’s okay to seek help, take time for yourself, and honour your journey into motherhood in your own way.
Further reading
Want to learn more about matrescence? Journalist and author Lucy Jones explores the concept in her book Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood.
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