When Motherhood Changes You— and You Don’t Feel Like Yourself
Becoming a mom is a transformation, not just an event. It reshapes your body, your nervous system, your relationships, and your sense of self in ways most of us never fully anticipate. There’s a real name for this transition— matrescence— and like adolescence, it involves growth, upheaval, and emerging as a new version of yourself on the other side.
Even with all the preparation in the world, nothing can fully get you ready for the internal experience of becoming a parent.
Why Postpartum Support Matters
When you’re navigating pregnancy, birth, and new motherhood, it’s normal to feel:
Overwhelmed by intense emotions— anxiety, irritability, exhaustion
Uncertain about your identity, your role, or your place in the world
Grief for your pre-baby life
Pressure to “enjoy every minute” despite the exhaustion and overwhelm
Difficulty connecting with others because you’re just trying to keep it all together
These are real effects of massive life change, and they deserve attention.
Many people assume motherhood should feel natural, but that simply isn’t the reality for most. And while short-lived “baby blues” are common right after birth, persistent anxiety, sadness, anger, or overwhelm that stretch beyond a couple of weeks can signal that something is off. You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis to reach out for support; feeling off is reason enough.
You Deserve Care Too, Just Like Your Baby
Caring for your mental health isn’t selfish. Your baby is literally borrowing your nervous system, and is depending on your presence. Therapy for pregnant and postpartum moms can look like:
A space to share your worries without judgement
Having someone in your corner to help you make sense of all the changes
Learning to trust your intuition
Feeling supported and not rushed in your process of matrescence
Therapy can provide you with tools and insight to tolerate difficult emotions and find steadiness.
Is It More Than Just the Baby Blues?
You might wonder: Is this just the normal stress of new parenthood? In the first two weeks after birth, up to 85% of new parents experience symptoms similar to depression— crying, anxiety, restlessness— and this doesn’t automatically mean something serious.
But when these feelings:
intensify
don’t improve over time
interfere with daily life
…that’s when connection and support can make a meaningful difference.
You deserve space to feel everything you’re feeling, without pressure to look fine on the outside. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness, it’s an act of strength for yourself and your family. You don’t have to navigate motherhood alone.
Contact me for your free consultation call to explore if therapy together would be the right fit for you. I look forward to supporting you.
