“In my expanded definition, the process of becoming a mother or matrescence ... is a developmental passage where a woman transitions through pre-conception, pregnancy and birth, surrogacy or adoption, to the postnatal period and beyond. The exact length of matrescence is individual, recurs with each child, and may arguably last a lifetime!

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...It's a holistic change in multiple domains of your life. You're going to feel it perhaps bodily, psychologically. You're going to feel it with your peer groups. You're going to feel it at your job. You're going to feel it in terms of the big philosophical questions."

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...When we don't talk about it, the myth of motherhood as this idyllic oasis is perpetuated in our culture...Talking about what's happening with you with other moms is such a pillar of support."

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Aurélie Athan, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology

Teachers College, Columbia University

https://www.matrescence.com/