What is matrescence?

The definition of matrescence is simple: it's the word used to describe the transition to motherhood. The process of matrescence, though, is a complex transformation that is biological, psychological, social, economic, and even spiritual in its scope.

Basically? Becoming a mother changes you. It's truly a rite of passage, and it deserves to be recognized, honoured and fully supported.

Want to know more about the transition to motherhood?

Here are the answers to the top six matrescence FAQs:

How do you say the word matrescence?

Matrescence is pronounced like you would pronounce adolescence, and the similarities between these two transformational processes don't stop there. Like adolescence, matrescence impacts nearly every area of mothers' lives, including their bodies and brains, relationships, values, career aspirations, spiritual beliefs, and more.

How do I know I'm going through matrescence?

If you're in the first two to three years of motherhood, whether it's your first baby or your fourth, and whether you've gestated and birthed your baby or they have come into your life in another way, you're going through matrescence.

Do dads or gender-expansive parents go through matrescence?

The "ma" in "matrescence" implies that it's about mothers – either people who do hold the identity of "mother," or those who want to. Modern sociologists affirm that anyone, regardless of gender, can be a mother. More studies and stories are needed to better understand men's, nonbinary and trans folks' transition to parenthood.

How long does matrescence last?

The transition to motherhood lasts 2-3 years – not after the six week check-up or the end of the fourth trimester, like we've come to believe! Even though you will continue to grow and evolve throughout your mothering journey, most mothers, after this time, feel a sense of being more embodied and integrated in their mothering identity – although this timeframe can be extended by other circumstances, such as other co-occurring life transitions or collective global contexts, like the pandemic, for example.

Do you go through matrescence with every baby?

Yes, you go through matrescence with every baby, although your experience will likely be different each time. For example, many mothers' first matrescence is hallmarked by the disorientation of identity shift while the second is often characterized by increasingly stretched energy and resources as well as more changes to intimate partnerships.

Is matrescence the same as postpartum depression and anxiety?

About 1 in 5 mothers experience postpartum depression and anxiety, but all mothers experience matrescence. Preliminary research shows that having an awareness of matrescence as a transformative process that, although challenging, often leads to personal growth, is protective against postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.

matrescence resources

What is Matrescence? Answers to your all your questions, matrescence book and podcast recommendations

Matrescence Books

Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage. Multi-award winning and heralded as "as essential read for all new mothers," Mothershift offers mothers a map to help them navigate matrescence as well as resources to support them to thrive during this transformative time.

Mother Becoming: Reflections and Scholarship on Matrescence is a collection of scholarly research, essays and poetry for mothers and the professionals, communities and family members who support them.

Matrescence Podcasts

The Practice You Podcast with Elena Brower - Special Episode on Matrescence

Mindful Mama Podcast - Matrescence: The Transformational Power of Motherhood

Happy Mama Movement Podcast with Amy Taylor Kabbaz – Making the Mothershift

Matrescence Articles

Mindful Magazine – Grieving the Old You: What to do when you feel lost in motherhood

Today's Parent Magazine – Matrescence: Why you may not feel like yourself after becoming a mom

Mother.ly - The 5 things a doula wishes new moms knew about postpartum life

Matrescence Support Program

MotherSHIFT is a 3-month matrescence support program for new (and new-ish) mothers. You’ll be supported to fully embody motherhood with intimate group coaching + mentorship, transformative practices, self-reflection tools + ritual, and an amazing community of likehearted mothers. If you feel like you've lost yourself in motherhood, MotherSHIFT is where you can find yourself again.

Matrescence Training

The Village is a 6-month Matrescence Educator Certification program for perinatal professionals + others fiercely committed to maternal wellness. Through mentorship, coaching and Village circles interwoven with personal reflection and practice, you'll emerge from this program as a leader in the rapidly-growing movement of matrescence support professionals.

MEET

Jessie

Jessie Harrold is a coach, doula and author who has been supporting women to navigate life transitions and rites of passage for nearly two decades. A world-leading matrescence expert, Jessie is the founder of the internationally acclaimed matrescence support program MotherSHIFT, as well as The Village, a Matrescence Educator Certification program. She is the author of the award-winning matrescence book Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage, and the editor of Mother Becoming: Reflections and Scholarship on Matrescence, one of the first academic books on the transition to motherhood.

Jessie works one-on-one with women and mothers in her practice as well as facilitating group programs, circles, rituals and retreats. She has a Master’s in Health Promotion and a B.Sc. in Neuroscience, and her research on women’s experiences navigating health and wellbeing has won multiple awards and been published in peer-reviewed journals internationally. Jessie’s writing and work have been featured in International Doula Magazine, Spirituality & Health, Today’s Parent, Green Parent, Mindful Magazine, Motherly, She Explores, and more. She is also the author of Project Body Love: My quest to love my body and the surprising truth I found instead and the host of the Becoming Podcast.

Jessie lives with her partner on the wild east coast of Canada where they raise their children and steward the land.

MORE ABOUT JESSIE

Jessie Harrold - Coach, Doula, Author and Top Matrescence Expert

Other Matrescence Resources

Let me introduce you to some of my colleagues, who are also doing amazing work to advance our understanding of the transition to motherhood:

Lucy Jones - Author of the beautiful memoir Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood

Amy Taylor Kabbaz - Matrescence Activist, Author of Mama Rising and Producer of an upcoming documentary on matrescence

Stepha Lafond - Matrescence Coach, activist for better understanding the matrescence experiences of Black women

Chelsea Robinson - Maternal mental health therapist, founder of the Matricentric Way, and outspoken advocate for understanding matrescence in relation to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders