Becoming a mother entails far more than simply giving birth to a child. It represents one of life’s most profound transitions-a complex metamorphosis that reshapes a woman’s identity, body, relationships, and worldview. This transformative journey has a name: matrescence. Much like adolescence marks the transition from child to adult, matrescence describes the developmental passage from woman to mother, yet until recently, this crucial life stage has remained largely unacknowledged in our society.
The Origins and Definition of Matrescence
The term “matrescence” was coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael in the 1970s to describe “the period of transition that a woman undergoes when she becomes a mother”. In her pioneering work, Raphael wrote, “The critical transition period which has been missed is matrescence, the time of mother-becoming… Giving birth does not automatically make a mother out of a woman… The amount of time it takes to become a mother needs study”.
After decades of relative obscurity, the concept has been revived and expanded by clinical psychologist Dr Aurelie Athan, who defines matrescence as “a developmental passage where a woman transitions through pre-conception, pregnancy and birth, surrogacy or adoption, to the postnatal period and beyond”. This renewed interest reflects a growing recognition that motherhood represents a distinct developmental phase deserving of focused attention and support.
The Multidimensional Nature of Matrescence
What makes matrescence so profound is its all-encompassing nature. Unlike many other life transitions, it simultaneously affects virtually every domain of a woman’s existence:
Biological and Neurological Dimensions
Pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period trigger cascades of hormonal fluctuations that affect both body and brain. Research has revealed that motherhood initiates significant neuroplasticity, with structural and functional changes occurring in the maternal brain. Far from the derogatory concept of “baby brain,” these neurological adaptations actually optimise the brain for caregiving, enhancing empathy and socio-emotional intelligence.
Psychological and Emotional Transformations
Emotionally, new mothers often experience a complex mixture of joy, anxiety, love, and ambivalence. Identity shifts can be particularly challenging, as women integrate their pre-motherhood self with their new maternal role. As one research paper notes, matrescence involves “disorientation and reorientation marked by an acceleration of changes” in psychological domains including “identity, personality, defensive structure, self-esteem”.
Social and Relationship Changes
Becoming a mother dramatically alters a woman’s social landscape. Friendships may evolve or dissolve, family dynamics shift, and partner relationships undergo significant adjustment. Many women describe feeling like they’re “sitting down in the cafeteria in high school” again, questioning “who are your people?”. This social recalibration can be both challenging and enriching.
Cultural, Economic and Existential Dimensions
Matrescence also extends into cultural, economic, and existential realms. New mothers often confront societal expectations about motherhood, face career and financial adjustments, and grapple with profound questions about meaning and purpose. Dr Athan describes matrescence as a transformation that is “biological, neurological, psychological, social, cultural, economic, political, moral, ecological, existential, and spiritual in nature”.
A Normal Developmental Stage, Not a Disorder
One of the most important aspects of recognising matrescence is understanding that the emotional turbulence of early motherhood is largely normal and developmental, not pathological. While 17.22% of postpartum women worldwide experience postpartum depression, many more experience the natural disorientation of matrescence without developing a clinical disorder.
The medical establishment has historically focused on identifying and treating postpartum mental health conditions while paying less attention to the normal yet challenging aspects of maternal transition. As Dr Athan states, she sought “to normalise rather than pathologise the psychological transition women were experiencing”. This distinction is crucial for providing appropriate support to new mothers.
Cultural Variations in Supporting Matrescence
Different societies approach maternal transition with varying degrees of recognition and support. Many cultures have established traditions that acknowledge this special time in a woman’s life. These often include specific postpartum practices such as rest periods, dietary guidelines, and community support systems.
In contrast, Western societies frequently underemphasise the significance of this transition. As one source notes, “We focus a lot on pregnancy and birth and once the baby is born our focus is on the baby. There is little attention and care for the new mother in our western culture”. This lack of cultural recognition can leave new mothers feeling isolated and unprepared.
The Push and Pull of Modern Motherhood
A distinctive feature of matrescence is what some researchers describe as the “push and pull” experience. The biological imperative (supported by hormones like oxytocin) pulls mothers to focus entirely on their babies, while simultaneous psychological and social forces push them to maintain aspects of their pre-motherhood identity and interests.
This tension creates what Dr Athan describes as a “gooey period” similar to adolescence, where breakdown precedes breakthrough. Many mothers report feeling torn between their overwhelming love for their child and their desire for autonomy and self-care-a normal aspect of matrescence that often triggers unnecessary guilt.
Why Recognising Matrescence Matters
Understanding matrescence as a normal developmental stage offers several important benefits:
- It provides a framework for women to make sense of their experience, reducing isolation and self-doubt.
- It helps distinguish between normal developmental challenges and clinical disorders requiring intervention.
- It emphasises the need for appropriate support systems during this transition.
- It acknowledges both the challenges and opportunities of motherhood, promoting a more balanced perspective.
- It creates space for a strength-based approach to maternal development.
As one researcher explains, “The concept of matrescence, akin to adolescence but for mothers, has gained increasing attention in perinatal psychiatry, marking a paradigm shift towards understanding the holistic development of mothers”.
Conclusion: Supporting the Maternal Journey
The recognition of matrescence as a distinct developmental stage represents a crucial step forward in our understanding of motherhood. By acknowledging that becoming a mother involves profound changes across multiple domains of life, we can better support women through this transformative journey.
For healthcare providers, this means adopting a more comprehensive approach that addresses not only physical and mental health concerns but also the normal developmental challenges of matrescence. For families and communities, it means creating support systems that recognise the mother’s needs alongside the baby’s. And for new mothers themselves, understanding matrescence offers a framework for making sense of their experience and embracing both its challenges and opportunities.
As we continue to expand our understanding of this crucial life transition, let us work toward a society that truly honours and supports the profound journey of becoming a mother-a journey that shapes not only individual lives but the fabric of our communities and the future of our society.
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