What is matrescence — and why does no one talk about it?

If you’ve had a baby and suddenly feel like you don’t recognize yourself anymore, you may be experiencing matrescence — the psychological, emotional, hormonal, and identity transformation that happens when a woman becomes a mother.

In this episode of The Lost & Found Mom, we break down the meaning of matrescence, why early motherhood can feel so disorienting, and why feeling lost after baby does not mean something is wrong with you.

Matrescence is the developmental transition into motherhood — similar to adolescence — and it explains:

• Why your emotions feel bigger

• Why your identity feels unstable

• Why friendships shift

• Why your relationship changes

• Why your confidence wobbles

• Why you love your baby deeply but still miss who you were

As a licensed mental health therapist and mom of two, I’ll help you understand the internal identity shift of postpartum life in a way that feels grounding instead of alarming.

If you’ve ever thought:

“I love my baby, but I don’t feel like myself.”

“Why does motherhood feel so overwhelming?”

“Is this normal?”

This episode will give you language for what you’re experiencing — and reassurance that you are not broken.

You are in matrescence.

And this is a real, powerful transition.