What is matrescence?

Matrescence is the physical, psychological and emotional transition a woman goes through when becoming a mother. Like adolescence, it involves hormonal fluctuations, physical changes as well as significant shifts in identity, relationships and responsibilities.

A quick history

The term "matrescence" was coined by medical anthropologist Dana Raphael in the mid-1970s, who explained that in most societies across the world, there is an understanding that when a baby is born, so is a mother, and that she requires social support and care, too.

While the term has been around for several decades, it has gained greater recognition in recent years with the growing focus on understanding and supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of mothers.

In 2008, Aurélie Athan, a clinical psychologist and faculty member at Teachers College, Columbia University, expanded the definition as a developmental passage where a woman transitions through pre-conception, pregnancy and birth, surrogacy or adoption, to the postnatal period and beyond.

With word slowly spreading, more people have begun to understand the term and what it means. ‘Matrescence’ has only just been recognised and included in the Cambridge Dictionary since May 2022.

Why matrescence matters

Awareness of the term’s existence is powerful. It provides a lot of answers – setting more realistic expectations for new mothers and society about what’s to come, what support they might need and generally letting mums know they’re not alone if they feel a bit lost.

A lot of modern motherhood information and resources are focused on mothering the child. How to be a good mum, how to raise a happy and healthy child… While these are important, they ignore what the mother might need in order to provide these things.

By labelling this transitional phase, it raises awareness of the health and wellbeing of the mother during motherhood, in addition to the child.

What’s next?

Matrescence is gaining more recognition and attention in the fields of psychology, sociology, and healthcare.

More research on its impact on the brain

One of the first detailed maps of human brain changes before, during and after pregnancy have shown that ‘pregnancy brain’ really does exist¹. Based on 26 scans of one healthy 38-year-old woman’s brain, scientists found ‘remarkable things’ including changes to regions linked to socialising and emotional processing – some of which were still obvious two years after giving birth.

Further scans are now being gathered from other pregnant women to determine the potential impact of these brain changes. These insights could improve understanding of the earliest signs of conditions such as postnatal depression and pre-eclampsia.

Better support

There’s also a growing focus on providing better support and resources for mothers during this transition. This includes increased research, development of specialised services and the integration of matrescence awareness into maternal healthcare and social support systems.

Greater awareness

A push for greater societal acknowledgment and understanding of the challenges and changes that come with becoming a mum is also underway, with authors including Lucy Jones ('Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood') and Zoe Blaskey ('Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations') publishing books on the subject in 2024. Teamed with promotional campaigns of their books in the media, more and more people are learning and talking about the existence of ‘matrescence’ and what it means for mothers, their support networks and society as a whole.

As the momentum of matrescence continues to gather speed in the media, it will continue to provide light bulb moments for those looking to better understand their new maternal identity, as well as those looking to support them.

What happens during matrescence?

While it’s very much a personal process, here are some common examples of what you might experience along the way.

Your shifting hormones can impact your mood

Once you give birth, the oestrogen and progesterone which surged through your body when you became pregnant, suddenly drops. This can have a significant impact on your mood.

In the UK, approximately eight out of ten new mothers experience what is commonly referred to as the "baby blues,²" which typically subsides within a few weeks.

However, postnatal depression is a more serious and long-lasting condition, which affects more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth and can also affect fathers and partners³. It involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair that can interfere with the ability to function and care for yourself as well as your baby.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of postnatal depression, your GP can provide you with next steps support.

Your social life will need to be tweaked

Whether it’s a lack of childcare or energy, or an event simply isn’t child-friendly, there will be many times when you say no to social invites. This can hit particularly hard as new parents, who are navigating life with a brand new responsibility. Reducing your social life can spark loneliness and isolation, particularly for those who are on maternity / paternity leave and are used to the routine and social aspects of work.

Your body might look and feel unfamiliar

Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery. These changes can lead to feelings of unfamiliarity and disconnection. It’s important to embrace these changes as a natural part of the motherhood journey and seek support in navigating this period of adjustment.

You might have to rethink how self-care fits into your new normal

This can involve prioritising short moments of relaxation, seeking support from others and being flexible with your self-care activities. (Don’t overlook your needs as a mother. You can’t pour from an empty cup.)

You may need to re-discover your sense of self

Matrescence can have a significant impact on your identity as you take on the role of caregiver and nurturer. This can lead to shifts in priorities, values and self-perception, as well as changes in relationships and social dynamics. Motherhood can also prompt a reassessment of goals, aspirations and sense of purpose. Physical and emotional changes can also influence how you might perceive your place in the world.

It can also be a beautiful journey of self-discovery

Matrescence can also be a time when you feel most powerful. Your body has procreated, which is a wonderful and incredible thing! You might feel more empowered in your new sense of responsibility, and determination to protect and provide for your child / children.

There’s also the excitement of seeing your child develop from one stage to the next – their first smile, tooth, step - day at school! There are many milestones that can bring so much joy and satisfaction during your motherhood journey.

How long does matrescence last?

The exact length is individual and recurs with each child.

Arguably, it begins the moment you decide to have a child (or even earlier, when you start imagining what motherhood might be like). It lasts a lifetime, as you evolve and grow with your child throughout their life.

Experiencing loss during matrescence

A deeply impactful and heartbreaking part of matrescence can be experiencing the loss of a baby during pregnancy or after childbirth. It can have profound emotional, psychological, and physical effects – from navigating grief alongside hormonal changes, to wrestling with identity, emotional wellbeing and the motherhood journey as a whole.

Tommy’s provides specialist midwives who can support you with any aspect of pregnancy loss – including a non-urgent freephone helpline offering general support and advice (0800 0147 800), as well as email support via midwife@tommys.org.

AXA Health members can also access our midwives for miscarriage support by calling our 24/7 health support line on 0800 003 004. Our midwives are available for you to speak with:

• Monday to Friday: 8am – 8pm
• Saturday: 8am – 4pm
• Sunday: 8am – 12pm

The charity, Sands, also provides a safe space to grieve and find support.

What about fathers? Do they go through a similar process?

They do. It’s called ‘patrescence’ - the process of becoming a father.

A study⁴ in 2020 by a group of scientists in Madrid looked at the brains of men before their partners became pregnant, and after the baby was born. They discovered that having a baby changes a father’s brain anatomy, too.

First-time fathers showed a significant reduction in cortical volume and thickness – an area of the brain associated with empathy, attention and visual processing. The higher the volume reduction, the stronger the father’s brain responds to pictures of his baby. Reduction might sound negative, but researchers theorise that it means the brain actually becomes more streamlined or fine-tuned to do what it needs to do: care for a child.

This built on previous studies, which found that the more a father cuddles, holds, speaks to, sings to, gazes at, and plays with his child, the more rewarding his brain finds it.

Patrescence can also be a vulnerable time. A 2024 study⁵ by the University of Southern California found that the biological changes that occur for first-time fathers also carry risks for their mental health. Men in the study who had more brain changes – higher decreases in grey matter volume – reported better bonding, parental attachment, lower parenting stress and more time spent with infants. But they also reported more symptoms of depression, anxiety, distress, and worse sleep later in the postnatal period.

Seeking the right support

While there are many wonderful aspects to motherhood, matrescence also has its challenges – and that’s ok. Sharing your thoughts and feelings can provide emotional relief, so it’s important to seek support from loved ones, friends or a support group.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling with your mental health and aren’t sure about the next step, see your GP. They will be able to recommend the best support for you moving forward.

Our early years support service

Our nurses and midwives offer an early years support service for members who are new parents in their baby’s first year. Members can talk to a registered midwife over the phone about anything, including:

• Pregnancy and delivery
• The postnatal period
• Adapting to parenthood
• Early developmental stages
• Returning to work after having a baby
• Planning for the future and extending your family further.

Call us at a time that suits you

AXA Health members can call the 24/7 health support line on 0800 003 004 and ask for early years or to speak to a midwife. Our midwives are available for you to speak with:

• Monday to Friday: 8am – 8pm
• Saturday: 8am – 4pm
• Sunday: 8am – 12pm

Members can also email us at EarlyYears@axahealth.co.uk.

We’ll aim to get back to you within 24 hours.

What can partners, families and friends do to support?

Taking time to understand and empathise, while offering practical help can go a long way. For example, you can offer emotional support by listening and validating their experiences, help with household tasks or childcare, provide resources for learning about motherhood, and encourage (and help to enable) self-care.

Creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment can make a big difference for mums during this transformative time.

It’s important to encourage them to speak with a qualified health professional should you be worried about their physical and / or mental health.

There are also several organisations you can reach out to for guidance, such as:

• NCT
• Tommy’s
• The Baby Academy
• Emma’s Diary
• Mind
• Sands

If you’re looking for more information or support through matrescence, please speak to your GP. AXA Health members can also talk to a registered midwife over the phone by calling our 24/7 health support line on 0800 003 004 and asking for early years, or email EarlyYears@axahealth.co.uk.

For more information on postnatal depression, please see our frequently asked questions.

Please note, our plans do not cover pregnancy and childbirth, however the above mentioned services are available if you’re looking for midwife support.

If you - or someone you know - is finding any stage of matrescence difficult, you’re not alone. Please seek support if you’re struggling.

References

1. Neuroanatomical changes observed over the course of human pregnancy – Nature Neuroscience
2. Postnatal depression – Gov.uk
3. Postnatal depression – NHS
4. The paternal transition entails neuroanatomic adaptations that are associated with the father’s brain response to his infant cues – National Library of Medicine
5. Cortical volume reductions in men transitioning to first-time fatherhood reflect both parenting engagement and mental health risk – Oxford Academic