What many women don’t realise is that there’s a word for this experience. Just as adolescence describes the physical, emotional, and social changes that come with growing up, matrescence is the term for the transition into motherhood.

Matrescence is the process of becoming a mother. First coined by medical anthropologist Dana Raphael, the word has only recently started entering everyday conversations about motherhood.

It describes the profound identity shift that happens when a woman goes through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. And just like adolescence, matrescence involves changes on multiple levels:

• Hormonal: surges and shifts that affect mood, energy, and sleep.
• Physical: pregnancy, birth recovery, feeding, and fatigue all transform the body.
• Emotional: questions of identity, confidence, and the pressure of expectations.
• Social: relationships with partners, friends, family, and workplaces often shift.

For many women, the challenge isn’t just these changes themselves, but the lack of recognition around them. Society tells mothers to “bounce back,” juggle it all, and keep smiling, yet inside, they may feel unsteady, conflicted, or even lost. Naming this stage as matrescence validates it as real, not imagined.

Every journey into motherhood is unique, but there are some common challenges many women experience during matrescence:

• Emotional ups and downs. From joy and love to fear, anxiety, or sadness – all in the same day.
• Physical exhaustion. Interrupted sleep, feeding demands, and recovery can leave mothers drained.
• Identity questions. A sense of “Who am I now?” as personal and professional roles shift.
• Relationship changes. Partners adjusting, friendships evolving, and family dynamics altering.
• Cultural pressures. The unrealistic expectation to do it all while looking effortless.

As Dominique Antiglio, founder of BeSophro, explains in the MAMA Series:
“Pregnancy and postpartum can sometimes feel like an emotional rollercoaster. From moments of fear and anxiety to intense joy, this phase of life is filled with surprises.”

Acknowledging these experiences as part of matrescence helps remove the shame or self-criticism many mothers carry. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?”, we can begin to ask, “What support do I need during this transition?”

Sophrology is a gentle mind-body practice that blends breathing, relaxation, light movement, and visualisation. It was originally developed in Switzerland as a therapeutic approach to help people cope with stress, improve sleep, and build resilience.

For mothers, Sophrology offers something invaluable: a simple, practical way to feel calmer, more grounded, and more connected – even in the middle of a hectic day.

Here are just a few ways Sophrology to support matrescence:

These practices don’t require hours of quiet or special equipment. Most last between 2 and 10 minutes and can be done sitting, lying down, or even fitted around feeding.

Small steps, repeated often, make a big difference.

The MAMA Series was created by mothers, for mothers. It’s a collection of nine guided sessions designed to accompany women through every stage of pregnancy and beyond.

Each session focuses on a different theme, from stress release and emotional stability to sleep, bonding, and birth preparation. By practising regularly, mothers begin to build resilience, feel calmer, and approach their transition into motherhood with confidence.

What makes it powerful is its accessibility.

Dominique and Natalia, both mothers themselves, created the practices to fit into real life, recognising that perfect conditions for self-care rarely exist.

As Natalia reminds women in the programme:

“There’s no perfect practice, and nothing you need to get right. Just start when you can and notice how you feel that day. Every day will be different, and that’s part of the journey.”

The MAMA Series also includes partner-friendly practices, making it a shared journey rather than a solitary one.