The   Matrescence   Toolbox

Motherhood is a profound identity transformation, but most women are never taught how to navigate it. That is where matrescence comes in. I put together this toolbox to give you language, validation and support in the journey to and through motherhood.

Books to Deepen Your Understanding

  • " Matrescence" by Lucy Jones

    A powerful blend of science, storytelling, and nature writing. Jones explores how pregnancy and early motherhood reshape the brain, body and soul, and how society fails to support this change.

  • "What No One Tells You" by Dr. Alexandra Sacks & Dr. Catherine Birndorf

    Written by reproductive psychiatrists, this guide walks you through the emotional landscape of new motherhood, normalising ambivalence, grief, joy and everything in between.

  • "The Fourth Trimester" by Kimberly Ann Johnson

    A practical and holistic guide to healing and emotional integration after birth, focusing on body-based support, boundaries, and nervous system repair.

  • "Motherwhelmed" by Beth Berry

    A compassionate, eye-opening exploration of why modern motherhood feels so heavy and how to reclaim a more meaningful, supported experience.

  • "Like a Mother" by Angela Garbes

    An investigative journalist’s take on pregnancy and the postpartum experience, combining cultural critique with personal insight.

  • "A Life’s Work" by Rachel Cusk

    This modern classic is not a parenting manual, it’s a visceral, beautifully written reflection on what early motherhood feels like. Rachel Cusk writes with unflinching honesty about identity loss, rage, love, guilt, and the unbearable contradictions of mothering in a culture that expects you to stay the same.

Podcasts to Feel Less Alone

  • Motherhood Sessions (Dr. Alexandra Sacks)

    Real mothers. Real therapy. Hosted by the psychiatrist who popularised the concept of matrescence, this show dives deep into the emotional truths of motherhood.

  • The Good Enough Mother (Sophie Brock)

    Sociologist Sophie Brock explores the cultural pressures of modern motherhood and how to rewrite the story with compassion and systems awareness.

  • Mom & Mind (Dr. Kat Kaeni)

    Specializing in maternal mental health, this podcast covers postpartum anxiety, identity loss, and navigating support systems.

  • The Matrescence Podcast (Nicky McCahon)

    Focused entirely on matrescence, with expert interviews and personal stories that normalize the identity shift of motherhood.

  • Happy Mama Movement (Amy Taylor-Kabbaz)

    The Happy Mama Movement is a collection of interviews and insights with real mamas around the world, and the very best experts on matrescence, motherhood and womanhood.

Articles & Research

  • “The Birth of a Mother” by Dana Raphael & T. Berry Brazelton

    This 1960s paper laid the groundwork for how we understand matrescence today.

  • “The Birth of a Mother”  Alexandra Sacks

    An accessible article that brought matrescence into the mainstream conversati

  • Scientific studies on brain changes during motherhood:

    🧠 Hoekzema et al., Nature Neuroscience (2017).

    Documented structural brain changes during pregnancy that increase empathy and caregiving capacity. Study summary

  • “Matrescence: What is it, and why it matters” – Psychology Today

    A modern, readable introduction to the concept, including its hormonal, emotional, and social layers.
    Read article

Videos & TED Talks

  • Alexandra Sacks: “A new way to think about the transition to motherhood”

    An excellent intro to matrescence for anyone who’s never heard the term.
    TED Talk

  • Aurelie Athan, Ph.D. : Lecture on Matrescence at Columbia University

    More academic, but highly insightful. Great for those who want to go deeper into developmental psychology.
    YouTube lecture