A Map of Matresence

The transition to motherhood, or matrescence, is an identity shift that takes two to three years to traverse. Though we’re increasingly acknowledging the “first forty days” and the physical and emotional shifts that occur in the early postpartum time, the developmental process of matrescence remains unexplored territory. Research shows that having an awareness of the transition to motherhood as a transformational experience is protective of mothers' mental health. Our current lack of nuanced understanding of this process leads new mothers to feel isolated in their experiences, and also to the pathologization of the normal, but often challenging, the experience of this important life transition. During this presentation, participants will receive a "map" for this uncharted territory in our understanding of new parenthood, learning a framework rooted in rites of passage theory and adult development psychology that describes how matrescence unfolds, as well as tangible, evidence-based supports they can provide mothers at each step along the way. 

Participants may earn .50 Lamaze contact hours.