About this episode

This episode explores the neurological transformation of motherhood, discussing matrescence and the profound changes during pregnancy and postpartum.

Becoming a mother is a complete neurological transformation that nobody prepares you for. In this episode, Emmy sits down with Nadine Richardson, Author and Founder of She Births for an honest conversation about matrescence, the term describing maternal adolescence and the profound changes that happen across pregnancy and the first two years postpartum. This isn't just about identity shifts or lifestyle adjustments. They unpack the science behind what's happening in your body and brain, from the hormones driving the transformation to why "baby brain" is actually a brain upgrade. They discuss the importance of creating the right environment during this vulnerable time, why your birth experience matters so deeply and how partners go through their own transformation (patrescence). They talk about the practical side of care, boundaries and proper postpartum support and why lying horizontal matters more than you think. And perhaps most importantly, they explore how to hold the paradox of grief and joy, exhaustion and love, the disappearing of your old self and the becoming of someone new. This is a grounding conversation for anyone navigating early motherhood, preparing for birth, or…

People in this episode

Host: Emmy

Guest: Nadine Richardson

Topics covered

• matrescence
• motherhood
• neurological transformation
• postpartum support
• identity shifts
• patrescence

Keywords

• motherhood
• matrescence
• baby brain
• postpartum
• transformation
• hormones
• care
• boundaries

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: She Births

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