My areas of focus
“Matrescence is the ongoing process of growth and transformation a woman traverses in her journey to and through motherhood…[It] is one of the most significant transformations we may experience in our lives as women, and it deserves support and reverence.”
Nikki McCahone
Pre-Conception & Pregnancy
Whether you are still considering conceiving, are ready now, have been trying for longer than you expected, or your pregnancy was unplanned, you may be riding a rollercoaster of feelings.
Once you become pregnant you begin a different chapter that can feel precious and exciting, as well as uncomfortable and out of your control. As your body continuously changes you may feel anxiety and fear about giving birth or becoming a mother… or wonder about how your place in the Universe is expanding.
Pregnancy can also impact your relationships, amplifying sensitive spots, bringing up new or very familiar feelings, or raising questions about how this new life will change how you relate to your partner, other children, extended family and community.
Sometimes there are complications with your health or the health of the baby that are stressful and scary. Sometimes a pregnancy is lost. Whether it happens early or late it can be devastating and lonely.
The experience of preparing for pregnancy or being pregnant can feel difficult and overwhelming. Wherever you are in your process, I’d like to help you reconnect to the beauty of this experience and find more ease to navigate the ups and downs.
Birth
Leading up to the birth of your baby can be filled with emotion and anticipation - excitement about meeting the little one (or ones) who will be joining you soon, desires about how the labour and birth will go, and fear about the pain and what might go wrong.
And then it happens, and it might go as you hoped, as you feared or in a way you never imagined. Regardless, you are impacted. Maybe you had your dream birth but something about it just isn’t settling. Or maybe events occurred that were deeply traumatic and you are feeling angry, confused, sad or disconnected from your baby.
I will support you to process and integrate this life changing experience so you feel more present and connected.
Postpartum
The early days after bringing a baby into the world are raw and hard. While your body heals from pregnancy and birth, you are figuring out how to feed and meet your new baby’s needs, while being sleep deprived and often without adequate support. You may be continuing to hold onto something from the birth, or struggling with the adjustment to your relationship with your partner, other children or other primary people in your life. Maybe you are living those early days while needing to tend to your own health issues or those of your baby. It may just feel different than you expected.
I will be with you during this vulnerable time to help you feel connection, support and awareness.
…and Beyond
Becoming a mother is a process that takes time, and it may not feel natural or easy. You may feel you’ve lost the touchstones of your former self - how you relate to friends or family, your career, your interests. You may feel like you don’t know how to be a mom, or fear that you aren’t being a good one. You might think you’ll never feel like you again.
I will help you find hope, gentleness and new touchstones as you discover the beautiful mother that you are.