According to perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist Dr Edna Lekgabe, matrescence is the motherhood equivalent of adolescence. Puberty 2.0, if you will.

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Joining us in the academy of imperfection, Dr Edna explores the cataclysmic identity shift women undergo during motherhood, and how partners can best support them.

Exploring the impacts of mastrescence with Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Dr Edna breaks down the difference between matrescence, anxiety and depression, and why mental illness is the number one pregnancy complication.

We’re talking hormonal changes, physiological changes, sociological changes that are SO significant, you can see them in brain scans. Matrescence is messy, a developmental earthquake, and it’s not talked about nearly enough.

This episode might just break the internet (and your heart) wide open.

0:00 – Introducing Hugh’s perinatal psychiatrist
7:30 – Matrescence? Huh?
21:14 – The biology of baby brain
34:10 – The difference between matrescence and depression
40:46 – Reasonable worry vs anxiety disorder
47:40 – The emergence of neurodivergence
54:04 – Post-natal depression
1:00:04 – Matrescence after loss
1:05:50 – Getting to know a brand new person
1:11:19 – Can women have it all?
1:18:32 – On a societal scale
 1:26:12 – The paternal earthquake

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🫖 Other Imperfect’s episodes mentioned in this episode

• Bron Lewis - Is It Me or Postnatal Anxiety? - https://bit.ly/4vHn1eh

📖 Things to read

• Being Female: Reproduction, Power and Change, by Dana Raphael - https://bit.ly/48jC5EO
• The Birth of a Mother, New York Times, by Alexandra Sacks - https://bit.ly/3OjB9tp
• Men at Work: Australia’s Parenthood Trap, Quarterly Essay, by Annabel Crabb - https://bit.ly/4mLE8Hx

🎧Things to listen to

• Perinatal OCD: When ‘the happiest time of your life’ turns dark - https://bit.ly/48lx8eK

📺 Things to watch

• Alexandra Sacks TEDTalk on Matrescence - https://bit.ly/4tsBcCt

💻Things to check out

• Yerkes-Dodson Law: Stress Level - https://bit.ly/4cOT2IO
• peanut x Tommee Tippee campaign on matrescence - https://bit.ly/4mQDicU

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The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

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