10 June 2024
Lauren Beatty
As a psychologist working with new mums in Australia, I often hear, "Everything has changed. I have changed. My body has changed. My relationships have changed. Will I ever feel normal again after having a baby?"
While antenatal classes help you prepare for birth and care for your new baby, nothing quite prepares you for all the changes you experience after having your baby.
The Multitude of Changes
These changes after having a baby may include:
Physical Changes: Your body undergoes significant transformations.
Adjustment to New Routines and Tasks: Adapting to a completely new daily schedule.
Your New Relationship with Your Baby: Building a bond and understanding your baby's needs.
Transition to the Social Role of ‘Mother’: Navigating societal expectations and pressures.
Intense Emotions: Experiencing a wide range of emotions, from fear and anger to joy and pride.
Shifts in Your Relationships: Changes in dynamics with your partner, family, and friends.
Mental Load and Household Negotiations: Balancing responsibilities and tasks at home.
Exhaustion and Sleep Changes: Coping with fatigue and altered sleep patterns.
Loss of Identity: Feeling like you don’t know who you are now.
Understanding Matrescence
In the mid-70s, anthropologist Dana Raphael coined the term ‘matrescence’ to describe this process of significant physical, hormonal, psychological, and social changes in becoming a mother.
When we think about matrescence as a developmental stage, just like adolescence, we can begin to understand it as a period of change and growth. While you are on your own individual journey, the experience of enormous change is a shared one.
The Importance of Support
This isn’t to say that it’s easy or that you should be figuring it out on your own. It's important to have a range of support as you navigate these changes after having a baby.
Professional Support for New Mothers
As a registered psychologist in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, I work with many mothers to help them navigate these changes and challenges. If you're feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, know that you are not alone and seeking professional support can make a significant difference.
Book an Appointment for Therapy
If you or someone you know is struggling with the transition to motherhood and the changes after having a baby, please don't hesitate to reach out. Contact me to book an appointment for therapy.
