Matrescence Changes Everything

Motherhood is more than a life change—it’s a complete transformation, impacting identity, relationships, emotions, and mental health. The term matrescence, first coined by medical anthropologist Dana Louise Raphael, gives language to this profound shift, likening it to adolescence in its intensity and complexity. From hormonal changes to shifting social roles, every mother undergoes this journey in a unique yet universal way.

By acknowledging matrescence, we can better support parents through the emotional, psychological, and physical realities of new parenthood.

Read the rest of this Substack essay here!

Photo by: Ksenia Ragozina at Shutterstock.com.