PHI’s Dana Sherrod on Building Support Systems for Black Mothers During Matrescence

“The nursery is exactly what you wanted, the birthing classes are checked off, and you’re ready for the sleepless nights (kind of). But along with welcoming that tiny human comes something you probably haven’t thought to prepare for: you are changing. In a big, wild, sometimes beautiful, sometimes messy way.

It’s called matrescence. It’s the motherhood version of adolescence—the emotional, hormonal, and identity shift that happens as you transition into becoming a mother. It’s the stage where you start feeling different in so many aspects of your life.

Whether you’re in your third trimester of pregnancy or making space for a little one in other ways, there’s no perfect way to prepare for the transition to motherhood. But there are practical steps you can take now to support the person you’re becoming, not just the baby’s arrival. Let’s get into it.

1. Learn about matrescence

Just hearing the term “matrescence” and knowing that it’s a thing can be a huge relief, Julia Sarewitz, MA, a matrescence educator and co-founder of Seed Mother, tells Well+Good. When you understand what matrescence is and what’s happening as your third trimester rolls into postpartum life, it’s a bit easier to meet those moments with kindness and self-compassion.

“It can give you permission to feel conflicted, joyful, uncertain, overwhelmed, all at once,” explains Sarewitz.

It’s also helpful to know that matrescence isn’t the same thing as postpartum depression (PPD). While PPD is a mental health condition that may require professional support, matrescence is a natural shift in identity and emotions.

The ups and downs of matrescence might feel intense at times, but Sarewitz notes that you can adjust how you see and respond to your experience. This transformation isn’t about having everything figured out (because honestly, who does?) It’s about giving yourself room to grow and redefining your journey as a mother as you go.

2. Build your circle of support

One of the best things you can prep—alongside the car seat and onesies—is your support system. “Community is so huge,” says Sarewitz. Think about building a network that covers the many kinds of help you might need. She explains it’s important to think about these questions: Who might be your emotional support? Who could be the person you call when you need a meal? Who can watch the baby so you can shower? All these different levels of support matter.

Also, be prepared for that circle to shift. Yep, sometimes the very people you thought would show up don’t, and the ones you didn’t expect become your biggest lifelines, Sarewitz points. out. That’s normal, and it’s okay to adjust your support system as you go.

And for Black mothers, matrescence often comes with added challenges, like systemic racism and racial bias in healthcare, says Dana Sherrod, MPH, co-founder and executive director of the California Coalition for Black Birth Justice (CCBBJ). Black women in the U.S. died from pregnancy-related complications nearly three times as often as white women in 2022. The constant worry about our babies and our own health can turn an already challenging experience into an even tougher one, she says.

Sherrod encourages Black moms to learn more about the challenges they may face and build a strong support network that understands their unique needs. And start building your circle of support early, she adds.

You don’t need a flawless plan. What matters is knowing who’s in your corner and that you’re not meant to do this alone.”

Click on the link below to read the full article.

Originally published by well+good