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Becoming a mom 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 recognized by major dictionaries and spell-check doesn't even recognize 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 moms feel less isolated and more supported.
Sign this petition. Demand that Oxford, Merriam-Webster, and tech companies add matrescence to their dictionaries.
Matrescence is the period of transition into motherhood. It begins during pregnancy and continues through the first year or more of raising a child. Like adolescence, matrescence brings identity shifts, hormonal changes, and emotional growth. It also transforms a woman’s sense of self, relationships, and daily life.
Matrescence
Sounds like “adolescence”
Noun
A life-altering process. The transition into motherhood. It brings changes in identity, questions of values, fluctuating emotions, and the information overload new mothers face after giving birth. Often rooted in hormonal changes.
The term was coined in the mid-1970s by anthropologist Dana Raphael, who believed that women aren’t automatically “built” for motherhood, and adapting to it doesn’t happen overnight.
When a baby is born, so is a mother. And she needs care and support, too.
New moms often experience a rollercoaster of emotions, and no two journeys are the same. For some moms, adjusting to their new maternal role while reconciling their pre-baby self can be challenging.
It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, joyful, anxious, or uncertain, sometimes all at once. Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and new responsibilities can amplify these feelings.
Recognizing that these changes are part of matrescence can help reduce feelings of shame or isolation.
Pregnancy and childbirth bring obvious physical changes, but matrescence also involves less visible ones. Hormonal fluctuations can affect mood, skin, hair, and energy levels while the body recovers, adjusts to a new routine, and nourishes the baby (if you choose to breastfeed or pump).
Matrescence isn’t just about challenges, it’s also a time of profound personal growth.
Many new parents develop resilience, empathy, and problem-solving skills. Motherhood can also reshape priorities, strengthen relationships, and reveal inner strengths.
It’s true what they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. Here are a few ways to find support during matrescence:
Matrescence is a natural and transformative part of becoming a mother. By understanding the emotional, physical, and psychological changes involved, new moms can approach this transition with confidence and compassion. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, take time for yourself, and honor your unique journey into motherhood.
Want to learn more about matrescence? Journalist and author Lucy Jones explores this emerging concept in her book Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood.
Found this article helpful? Read our advice on feeling touched out.
Matrescence typically begins during pregnancy and continues through the first year or more of motherhood.
That said, there’s no fixed timeline. Everyone’s experience is different, it may last for months, years, or even a lifetime. Some feel it more intensely, while for others it’s a gradual ebb and flow.
No. While matrescence includes emotional ups and downs, postpartum depression is a medical condition that requires professional support. It’s normal to feel stressed or emotional during matrescence, but persistent sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
It can shift your sense of self as you take on the role of mothering, causing your priorities and perspectives to evolve. It’s also about learning to integrate who you were before motherhood with who you are now.
As a partner, there are many ways to offer support, listen without judgment, share responsibilities, offer reassurance, and give her space and time to rediscover herself as she adjusts to motherhood.
Yes. Partners can also experience emotional and psychological changes as they adjust to parenthood. This process is sometimes referred to as patrescence, the transition into fatherhood.
Understanding matrescence helps normalize the changes of early motherhood. It can reduce feelings of isolation, encourage self-compassion, and empower you to navigate this life-changing transition with confidence.
