Matrescence:The Motherhood Transformation We Don't Talk About Enough | Maternity photographer margaret river

Matrescence: The Motherhood Transformation We Don't Talk About Enough | Maternity photographer Margaret River by Stills by Jordan

Matrescence.

I recently learned about this word on The Imperfects podcast with Dr. Edna Lekgabe.

Often described as the motherhood equivalent of adolescence, matrescence refers to the enormous physical, hormonal, emotional, and psychological transformation that occurs when a woman becomes a mother.

What surprised me most was learning that the word itself has only recently entered more mainstream conversation. Despite the fact that women have been becoming mothers throughout human history, many of us have never heard a term that describes this profound transition.

And yet, when I learned about it, so much suddenly made sense.

Motherhood Is More Than the Birth of a Baby

When we talk about pregnancy and birth, much of the focus naturally centres on the baby.

We prepare for labour, feeding, sleep, milestones, and all the practical aspects of caring for a newborn.

What we often talk about less is the fact that a mother is being born too.

Not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically.

The version of yourself that existed before motherhood begins to shift.

Your priorities change.

Your capacity expands.

Your identity evolves.

And often, this transformation can feel both beautiful and disorienting at the same time.

The Maternal Brain Is Remarkable

Like many people, I had heard phrases such as "mum brain" used casually over the years.

Often the term is framed as forgetfulness or distraction.

But what fascinated me was learning that the maternal brain is not simply becoming forgetful, but in fact it is adapting.

Research suggests that during pregnancy and postpartum, the brain undergoes significant changes that help mothers respond to their baby's needs.

Areas associated with empathy, emotional connection, vigilance, and caregiving become more finely tuned.

In many ways, the maternal brain is being reshaped for one of the most important roles it will ever undertake.

Perhaps this is why mothers can wake at the slightest sound.

Why they often sense when something feels off.

Why they carry a constant awareness of the needs, emotions, and wellbeing of the people around them.

What can sometimes be dismissed as overthinking or worrying is often part of a remarkable biological adaptation occurring beneath the surface.

The Invisible Work of Motherhood

One of the things that resonates most with me about matrescence is how much of it is invisible.

People see the baby. They see the feeding, the nappies, the pram walks, and the sleepless nights.

But much of the transformation happening within a mother goes unseen.

The constant mental load.

The emotional labour.

The recalibration of identity.

The balancing of who you were, who you are becoming, and who your family needs you to be.

There is so much work taking place that cannot be measured or easily observed.

Yet it shapes daily life in profound ways.

My Own Experience of Matrescence

As a mother myself, I have felt this transformation deeply.

The exhaustion.

The constant alertness.

The overwhelming love that you didn’t know could exist.

The way your mind seems to be running in the background at all times, holding everyone's needs while trying to care for your own.

Motherhood has stretched me in ways I never expected.

It has revealed strengths I didn't know I had, while also inviting me to let go of parts of myself that no longer fit.

It has been both grounding and transformative.

And I suspect many mothers would describe it similarly.

A Reminder for Mothers

I think mothers deserve to hear this more often:

What you are doing is profound.

The changes you are experiencing are real.

Your body is extraordinary.

Your brain is extraordinary.

The invisible work you carry every day matters.

Matrescence reminds us that motherhood is not simply a role we step into overnight.

It is a process of becoming.

A season of growth, adaptation, and transformation.

Just as a baby develops over time, so too does a mother.

And perhaps there is comfort in knowing that the stretching, shifting, and evolving are not signs that something is wrong.

They are signs that something remarkable is happening.

You are becoming.

Honouring This Season of Becoming

Matrescence is a reminder that pregnancy is about more than preparing for a baby.

It is also about honouring the transformation taking place within you.

The anticipation. The change. The growth. The becoming.

These seasons can feel long while you're living them, yet when you look back, they often pass in the blink of an eye.

A maternity photoshoot offers the opportunity to pause and acknowledge this chapter before it changes again. Not just to document a growing bump, but to celebrate the remarkable journey of becoming a mother.

If you're expecting and would like to document this chapter of your story, I'd love to create a relaxed and connection-focused maternity photography experience for you in Margaret River. Enquire here to learn more about maternity sessions and availability.