Emerging in Motherhood: Matrescence

What if the changes you're experiencing in motherhood aren't a sign that you're "losing yourself"—but evidence that your brain is adapting to one of life's biggest transitions?
In this jam-packed conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Renee White—doula, biochemist, founder of I Fill Your Cup, and host of The Science of Motherhood Podcast—to unpack the fascinating science behind matrescence.
Together, we explore:
Why becoming a mother can trigger such a profound identity shift
What happens in the brain from conception and throughout early motherhood
How and why these changes show up in everyday life
Why the experience can feel different with subsequent pregnancies
The impact of anxiety, trauma, and pre-existing mental health challenges during the transition to motherhood
Grieving your former self while embracing who you're becoming
Self-care, career changes, role transitions, and finding your footing in this new season of life
Most importantly, we discuss what mothers, families, communities, and healthcare providers can do to better support women through matrescence—so they can navigate this transition with greater understanding, confidence, and compassion.
Experts and Resources mentioned in this conversation:
- Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum (Neuroscience PhD, Doula and Mother) The Nurture Revolution
- Dr. Marian Piper (Artist, Writer and Researcher who turns pain into purpose)
Mums Matter Psychology offer Perinatal Mental Health Support for pregnancy and beyond, with bulk billing options https://www.mumsmatterpsychology.com 
Now that we have empowered ourselves with the scientific knowledge thanks to Dr. White's help, we discuss what we need to do to help support mothers so they experience this transition with less confusion and more calm and confidence. 

What happens when your introduction to motherhood is nothing like you imagined?
In this episode of The Matrescence Project, Cassandra shares her deeply personal story of becoming a mother after a traumatic and emotionally difficult start to motherhood—including fear during pregnancy, premature birth, six weeks in NICU and the experience of navigating motherhood without the support of a village around her.
Before motherhood, Cass describes herself as fiercely independent. She loved travelling, thrived in the corporate world and was driven by career ambition. Meeting her husband began to soften her perspective on life and eventually changed how she imagined her future—including the possibility of becoming a mother.
But Cass's transition into motherhood was not straightforward.
During pregnancy, fear of loss made it difficult for her to allow herself to fully connect with her baby. When her daughter arrived early and spent the first six weeks of her life in NICU, that fear did not simply disappear.
Cass shares the emotional impact of a traumatic beginning to motherhood, the struggles and experiences that shaped her early years as a mother, and how the absence of practical and emotional support affected her transition.
For years, Cass felt she hadn't fully "bloomed into motherhood."
Her story is an important reminder that becoming a mother does not always happen in a single moment. Indeed, becoming takes time.
Through persistence, courage and determination, Cass gradually found her own way into motherhood—often in unexpected places and through experiences she never imagined would shape her
Cassandra's story reminds us that there is no single way to become a mother.
For some women, motherhood feels immediate.
For others, it unfolds slowly—through fear, grief, healing, growth and time.
And perhaps one of the most important questions we can ask is not:
"Why didn't motherhood come naturally to me?"
But:
"What happened to me while I was trying to become?"
Follow The Matrescence Project for conversations exploring matrescence, motherhood, maternal identity, postpartum support, the village and the many different ways women experience becoming a mother.
And to stay up to date on what is happening with the project, as well as opportunities to send in your questions for experts, follow The Matrescence Project on Facebook and Instagram:
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Episode 3: My Matrescence Story - Zana's Personal Journey
In this deeply personal episode, host Zana sets aside the research and theory to share her own lived experience of matrescence — the profound transformation a woman undergoes when she becomes a mother.
Zana paints a vivid picture of who she was before children: a psychology graduate raised to value independence and career ambition, living a city life with her husband — traveling, spending freely, and loving every bit of it. Then, almost overnight, everything changed.
She opens up about the shock of early motherhood — the anxiety that "absolutely exploded," the fear of being alone with her newborn, the guilt of wanting to return to work while simultaneously dreading daycare drop-offs. Through her first matrescence season, she discovered that knowledge and education were her lifeline back to confidence.
But the path to her second child was far from straightforward. Zana shares the heartbreak of three consecutive miscarriages — the grief, the shame, and the quiet courage it took to keep showing up for the son she already had. When her rainbow baby arrived, her second matrescence season unfolded very differently: with more clarity, less anxiety, and a growing willingness to let her old values go.
By her third season, the transformation was complete. 
This episode is a beautiful reminder of why matrescence matters: when we understand that the shifts we feel to our core are normal, necessary, and worth embracing, we stop fearing them — and start becoming the mothers we want to be.
Listen to Zana's journey to find out just how much her life, her values and her mothering shifted when she finally embraced matrescence. 
Follow The Matrescence Project on Facebook and Instagram to be up to date with upcoming interviews, and for the opportunity to send in your questions to professionals and get the information you would like about the season of becoming a mother.
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Motherhood changes women deeply — neurologically, psychologically, emotionally, and socially — yet so few of us are ever taught to expect it.
In this episode of The Matrescence Project, I explore the science behind matrescence and the hidden transformation that takes place when a woman becomes a mother. I unpack the wider societal consequences of continuing to undervalue this season of life, and why understanding matrescence matters not only for mothers today, but for the generations of women coming after us.
Because changing the conversation around motherhood could change everything.
For up to date information on future episodes, be part of the conversation and the opportunity to have experts answer your questions around matrescence and your becoming into motherhood, be sure to follow The Matrescence Project on Facebook and Instagram.
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In this introductory episode of The Matrescence Project, we explore what “matrescence” really means and why it’s so important to bring this term into our everyday language.
I'll share the intention behind this project, and what we hope to build over time—a space that supports, informs, and validates the experience of becoming a mother.
Whether you’re a new mum, a seasoned mum, or someone yet to step into motherhood, this episode is an invitation to better understand the evolving journey of identity, growth, and becoming.
To ensure you have access to the latest information, as well as the opportunity to put your questions forward to future guests who specialise in matrescence from a variety of different fields, be sure to follow The Matrescence Project on Facebook.
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