matrescence, defined
Matrescence, the process of becoming a mother, was first coined by the anthropologist Dana Raphael, and later expanded by Aurélie Athan to include ‘a developmental passage where a woman transitions, through pre-conception, pregnancy and birth, surrogacy, or adoption to the postnatal period and beyond’.
“Matrescence, like adolescence.”
-Aurélie Athan, PhD
At Seed Mother, we are committed advocates of accuracy - especially when it comes to maternal health literacy. As such, we'd like to express our appreciation and bring attention to the lineage from which we came - including our mentor, Dr. Aurélie Athan.
Athan is a reproductive psychologist and faculty member at Teachers College, Columbia University who is widely known for her writing, research, and work in matrescence - reviving and popularizing the term today. To learn more about Dr. Aurelie Athan's important work in matrescence, please visit her website on matrescence and/or that of her lab, Khora, The Maternal & Reproductive Psychology Lab.
And to further understand its origins, read Dana Raphael's article "Matrescence, Becoming a Mother, A “New/Old” Rite de Passage."
Or let us teach you! Click below or go to Our Services to learn more and enroll in one of our upcoming matrescence education offerings.