What is Matrescence?
We know that adolescence can be an awkward and painful time – a time where we change on every level – physically, emotionally, mentally, and hormonally – and we are not the same person on the other side.
But what if I told you that the transition into motherhood can be thought of in the same way, and we even have a word for it.
The concept of matrescence gives us a framework to see the transition into motherhood as every bit as awkward, painful, and profound as adolescence, and allows us to reclaim and celebrate this shift in identity.
Matrescence was first used by anthropologist and breastfeeding advocate, Dana Louise Raphael.
“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.”
— DANA RAPHAEL, ‘MATRESCENCE, BECOMING A MOTHER, A ‘NEW/OLD’ RITE DE PASSAGE’ (1975)
Dana Raphael recognised that birthing a mother may not happen instantaneously when her baby is born. The birth of a mother is a process which takes time to develop and is perpetually evolving. In fact, a mother is reborn many times over – as she has more children, and as her children grow and go through their own stages of development. The mother of a newborn is not the same mother as when her child is a teenager.
We may be our children’s first teachers;
however, our children are our best teachers.
Recently this term has been revived and expanded by Aurelie Athan, clinical psychologist and faculty member at Columbia University, as a ‘developmental passage where a woman transitions through pre-conception, pregnancy and birth, surrogacy or adoption, to the postnatal period and beyond’.
Since the birth of humankind, mothers have organically passed their stories and wisdom on to new mothers. This eases the transition into motherhood, because the new mother feels ‘held’ by the wisdom of those around her, and is encouraged to listen to her own wisdom.
Reclaiming matrescence is about centering the mother!
Giving a new mother space to consider her own transition can seem odd and uncomfortable because we are conditioned to put our own needs to the side. A new mother doesn’t receive the same compassion, understanding, and support on her journey into motherhood as an adolescent does on their journey to adulthood.
Matrescence is something that needs to be acknowledged, appreciated, and nurtured throughout a woman’s entire life as a mother, and then as a grandmother.
We are always learning as a mother, the mother of a newborn and a toddler mothers differently to the mother of an adolescent and adult child and I invite you to reflect carefully, and be kind to yourself, as you grow into each transitional phase in your motherhood journey.
Being a mother is a dynamic experience, an opportunity for growth and happiness. It changes every single part of our being in a purposeful way.
Article - Ana Ristov (Lively Lifestyle Psychology)
Conversations to Have With Your Partner Before Baby Arrives
Most people plan for birth with a detailed birth plan, but what about a postpartum care plan? Talking openly before your baby is born about expectations, responsibilities, and emotional support can make the adjustment smoother. From who’s doing the night feeds to how you’ll support each other through exhaustion, these conversations are essential for protecting your partnership, strengthening your mental health, and laying the foundation for a connected family.
Article - Lucy Carroll (Birth & Beyond Education)
Empowered Birth: How Birth Education Helps Parents and Partners Thrive
Midwife-led workshops and positive birth classes not only prepare mothers for labour but also give partners confidence, practical tools, and emotional support for one of life’s biggest transitions. We sat down with Lucy Carroll, a practising midwife, educator and co-founder of Birth & Beyond Education, to explore how empowered birth education helps families thrive.
Article - Narelle Dickinson ( Lotus Health and Psychology)
Is This Normal? The Emotional Rollercoaster of Pregnancy and Motherhood.
Mental health during pregnancy and postpartum is something many mothers don’t expect to struggle with, but it's more common than we think. In this interview with Lotus Health and Psychology, we explore what perinatal mental health support really looks like, why anxiety is often overlooked, and how to take the first steps even when you feel like you’re running on empty. Whether you're expecting, newly postpartum, or years into motherhood, these insights might be the nudge you didn’t know you needed.
Article - Fiona Maria (Sing High Sing Low)
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I started Sing High Sing Low to create spaces where women of all life stages could connect, unwind, and experience the joy of shared song. The work I do is inspired by the beautiful model developed by Singing Mamas in the UK, which has been recognised by the World Health Organization for its positive impact on perinatal mental health and maternal wellbeing.
Article - Shaily Nadav (Kavanah Care)
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In our ongoing series spotlighting the incredible services in our Not Another Onesie village, we spoke with the heart and hands behind Kavanah Care, a wellness sanctuary offering postpartum support and bodywork that feels like a warm exhale for mothers in their most tender chapter.
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Pause Postpartum
I’m Paula, an Endorsed Midwife and the founder of Pause Postpartum, a private midwifery service supporting families in the early weeks after birth. With extensive experience in pregnancy, birth and postpartum care, I’ve seen how much more confident families feel when they are truly supported, and how this positively impacts their postpartum experience.
Pause Postpartum was created to offer evidence-based, individualised care after birth, promoting an environment where new parents are supported, educated and encouraged through the postpartum period. From feeding support, newborn care and settling, physical check-ups, or holding space for the emotional aspect of this huge life transition, we are establishing a new standard of postpartum care.
We offer home visits for the first six weeks postpartum, as well as online sessions, which are eligible for Medicare rebates. Birth debriefing sessions are also available, grounded in compassion and tailored to what you feel ready to explore, this can be a powerful way to reflect on your birth experience.
Offerings include:
- Postpartum planning sessions and resources
- Postpartum home visits
- Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding support
- Newborn care, maternal health checks and emotional support
- Birth debriefing
- Medicare rebates for eligible visits
Tapestry of Life Midwife
Lauren is an Endorsed Private Practice Midwife with an excellent reputation in Brisbane for supporting women and families as they journey to—and through—one of life’s most transformative transitions. She works with a whole-family approach, preparing parents not only for pregnancy and birth but also for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual shifts that come with parenthood and welcoming a new baby.
As a First 1000 Days advocate and nervous system-certified practitioner, Lauren is passionate about equipping families with the tools to build healthy bonds and secure attachments, promoting positive early childhood experiences. This critical period lays the foundation for healthy infant brain development and long-term emotional wellbeing. Lauren empowers parents to connect with their own intuition rather than looking outside themselves for answers.
Lauren provides a variety of Medicare-rebatable appointment types, including:
Pregnancy care for women alongside their chosen care provider – whether booked to birth through the public system or a private maternity hospital. Lauren is a strong advocate for collaborative models of care and can offer:
Shared care with private obstetricians across two clinics in Brisbane
Support as part of your care team alongside GPs or hospital clinics
Birth Mapping appointments – helping you explore your preferences and decision points along the way
Routine postnatal care – including mother and baby checks, breastfeeding support, perinatal wellbeing, and birth debriefing
Postnatal in-home care packages – servicing inner north Brisbane and surrounds
Baby Massage education – 1:1 sessions or private small groups for three or more friends
Closing the Bones Ceremony – a deeply nurturing postpartum ritual rooted in traditional cultural practices, used to honour and support the profound transition into motherhood
In addition, Lauren offers ‘Mothering the Midwife’ Retreats, designed to support the wellbeing of those who hold this professional responsibility. These one-day retreats are created for nurses and midwives to reset their nervous systems, reconnect with themselves, and maintain balance to help prevent compassion fatigue and burnout.
Learn about the support you didn't know you needed.
We have cherry picked the most useful resources for your fourth trimester so that you don't have to waste precious hours searching.
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eBook - Louise Barton + Elisha Wildblood (Not Another Onesie)
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Mama’s Guide to Prepping for Birth, Pregnancy & Postpartum is your ultimate pregnancy and postpartum guide designed to help you feel informed, supported, and ready for every stage of motherhood. Covering key topics for each trimester, birth preferences, a hospital bag checklist, breastfeeding tips, and essential postpartum care, this downloadable PDF is packed with expert-backed advice and practical tools.
Interview - Caroline Bilkey (Mummy's Whispers)
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If I had my way, support would be non-negotiable and, in an ideal world, would have government funding, so everyone can access the help we all deserve. We can shape our families' and therefore babies' complete outcomes (and lives!) by providing education, but above all, support in those early days. It is essential for a mother who has given birth to rest and recover.
Article - Louise Barton + Elisha Wildblood (Not Another Onesie)
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