As women, we move through different stages in life — from childhood to puberty, into adulthood, pregnancy, motherhood, and eventually menopause. Each stage brings its own challenges and discoveries, and each one changes us in some way.
But there is no transformation quite like becoming a mother.
Nothing can truly prepare you for it. You can read all the books, watch all the videos, or spend time caring for other people’s children — but it’s a bit like learning to swim by watching from the side. You only really understand it when you’re in it.
When you have your own baby, your life changes in an instant.
Some women describe those early moments after birth as almost surreal — even shocking. One moment, everything is familiar, and the next you are holding this tiny, perfect, completely dependent human being. And with that comes an overwhelming sense of responsibility — to keep them safe, nourished, and well.
At the same time, something shifts within you.
You may begin to feel that your life is no longer entirely your own. Your needs move to the bottom of the list. Everything changes — not just practically, but emotionally and physically too.
This transition into motherhood is known as matrescence.
Matrescence is the developmental process of becoming a mother, a term first introduced by anthropologist Dana Raphael and later brought into wider conversation by psychologists such as Dr. Aurélie Athan. It is often described as a “second adolescence,” a time of deep change where the brain, body, identity, and roles are all being reshaped.
And it doesn’t just happen in the early days.
Matrescence can begin before pregnancy and continue for years. It touches every part of a woman’s life — physically, emotionally, and socially. For many women, it doesn’t feel gentle. It can feel intense, messy, and at times overwhelming, bringing a mix of joy, anxiety, exhaustion, and even grief.
What challenges can arise during matrescence?
Every woman’s experience of motherhood is different. Even with the same woman, each pregnancy and birth can feel completely different.
Physical changes
The body goes through an enormous process of healing and adjustment after birth. This can include:
• Recovery after labour or caesarean section
• Breastfeeding difficulties such as pain, cracked nipples, mastitis, or supply issues
• Hormonal shifts
• The return of cycles, often in a different way
• Ongoing exhaustion and depletion
Emotional and mental changes
Alongside the physical recovery, there is often a deep emotional process happening too:
• Processing the birth experience, especially if it didn’t go to plan
• Feelings of grief or disappointment
• Anxiety, overwhelm, or low mood
• Irritability, anger, or even rage
• A sense of losing yourself or not recognising who you are anymore
For some women, birth can be straightforward. For others, it can involve interventions or unexpected outcomes, which may feel distressing and difficult to process. It’s not uncommon to carry these feelings for months, sometimes longer.
Where does homeopathy fit in?
Over the years, through my own experience and the work I do, I’ve seen just how many women are quietly struggling through this stage.
I don’t believe there is a single solution to everything motherhood brings — and I don’t claim to have all the answers.
But I do believe that support matters.
Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic approach that looks at the whole person, rather than just isolated symptoms. It can be used alongside other forms of care and support, and is always tailored to the individual.
In the context of matrescence, it can offer support with:
• Physical recovery after birth
• Breastfeeding challenges
• Hormonal changes
• Emotional overwhelm, anxiety, or irritability
• Ongoing fatigue and feeling depleted
It’s not about “fixing” emotions or making everything disappear. It’s about supporting your system when things feel out of balance, and helping you navigate this stage with a little more steadiness.
One of the reasons I chose to study homeopathy was to support my own family when my children were little. I was looking for something gentle, something that worked with the body rather than against it.
Over time, it became much more than that.
Motherhood can feel overwhelming. At times it can feel isolating. And many women carry far more than they realise, often without the support they truly need.
If you recognise yourself in any of this, you’re not alone.
And you don’t have to navigate it on your own.
If you feel you would benefit from support, you’re very welcome to book a discovery call or join my Motherhood Circle — a space for mothers who need a place to exhale.
