Matrescence-informed care: A new standard in maternal and infant care
The missing lens in maternal wellbeing
As a mother, have you ever been to see a professional, only to feel like they didn’t really see you? You didn’t met the criteria for a clinical diagnosis, but you weren’t feeling well. You discussed your symptoms, why you were there, you received a treatment plan or advice, but it didn’t feel like they truly ‘got the whole you’ or the essence of your challenge? Maybe they validated and normalised your experience, but couldn’t go any deeper.
Matrescence-informed care comes from an understanding of matrescence as a normal developmental transition.
What is matrescence-informed care?
“Matrescence-informed care is grounded in the understanding that motherhood is a profound developmental transition. It’s a holistic approach that recognises the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual transformation of becoming a mother. It acknowledges that a mother’s challenges often stem not from pathology, but navigating one of life’s biggest transitions in a modern environment that isn’t designed to support mothers.” – Christina Bond
Matrescence-informed care is:
Having a deep understanding of transitions, the process of psychological adaptation to new situations.
Having a comprehensive overview of the influencers impacting mothers today.
Shifting the focus from what is wrong with this mother to what is this mother carrying?
Exploring what is contributing to her experience - rather than observing symptoms in isolation.
Recognising a mother’s strengths, and acknowledging the load she is being asked to carry.
Acknowledging how our societal and cultural structures impact the adjustment to motherhood
Understanding the complex process of matrescence, yet being able to apply matrescence theory in a simplified way to help mothers to make sense of their experiences and build resilience.
Why is matrescence-informed care critical?
Matrescence-informed care is the shift we need because high rates of perinatal distress signal more than individual struggle. Mothers are experiencing collective maternal distress, revealing failings in the systems supporting mothers—not mothers themselves.
Practitioners are doing their best but are often under-equipped, treating symptoms instead of addressing root causes, sometimes due to time constraints and rigid systems that don’t allow for holistic intervention, and often due to a lack of truly understanding this transition: matrescence.
And as a society, we cannot afford to keep ignoring this. Maternal and infant wellbeing aren’t side issues only affecting mothers and babies—they are the foundation of a thriving society. When we centre maternal wellbeing, we create a ripple effect that supports families, communities, and the next generation.
What’s the next step?
To ensure all practitioners working with families are providing matrescence-informed care we need to make this a priority of our whole society, because it is critical to the health and economics of society.
The next step? Making matrescence-informed care the standard for anyone supporting families. We must begin treating this as a societal priority, not a personal problem. This isn’t an issue just for mothers and babies, it’s a public health and economic imperative. When mothers are well, families thrive. And when families thrive, society does too.
How can you start your journey towards providing Matrescence-informed care?
The first step is to truly understand the concept of matrescence. We provide numerous free resources to support your understanding. Take a look at our e-book, podcast and free webinar. We also provide comprehensive training via our Matrescence Education Series.
What is covered in our Matrescence Education Series?
Matrescence is an emerging concept with limited academic research. To bridge this gap, the Matrescence Education Series has been developed drawing on a range of research and theories from matrescence scholars, psychology, developmental theory, attachment theory, neuroscience, identity theory, motherhood studies, adult learning, and life transitions offering you cutting-edge models and frameworks to understand the concept of matrescence and apply matrescence-informed care.
Matrescence education series covers:
– Matrescence theory and frameworks
– Key research summarised
– Influences on matrescence to uncover root causes
– Strategies to navigate matrescence well
– Rationale, research, and science to understand common maternal challenges
– Process of transition, adaptation, and identity shift
– Coaching skills to guide conversations
Matrescence Practitioners
If you’re a mother seeking support from a matrescence-informed practitioner, visit our directory of certified and registered matrescence practitioners: https://www.matrescence.nz/matrescence-practitioner-directory
Have you ever walked away from an appointment feeling truly seen? Like someone understood not just what you were saying, but what you were carrying? You felt held and validated like they really got you. And you couldn’t wait to tell everyone, “You have to see them.”
It’s my hope that every mother finds that kind of support, because motherhood was never meant to be walked alone.
Christina Bond
Psychologist
Matrescence NZ Co-founder
