45: Becoming a Mother | The Identity Shift Nobody Prepares You For

Becoming a mother is one of the biggest transitions a woman can experience, yet many women feel completely unprepared for how much it changes them.In this episode, therapist Vanessa Leville explains why motherhood can transform your identity, relationships, nervous system, ambitions, and sense of self - an experience that is more common than most people realize.Together, they explore why becoming a mother changes nearly every aspect of your life, including your identity, relationships, nervous system, brain, ambitions, and sense of self. Vanessa shares her personal journey into motherhood, how it transformed her work as a therapist, and why so many mothers feel like they're "losing themselves" after having a baby.You'll learn:What matrescence is and why every mother experiences itThe difference between matrescence and postpartum mental health disordersCommon signs of matrescence, including identity shifts and mixed emotionsWhy "survival mode" can be a normal and even sacred part of early motherhoodHow your brain, nervous system, and body change after birthThe importance of postpartum support and recoveryWhat it means to reclaim yourself as motherhood evolvesHow societal expectations can shape the postpartum experienceWhether you're pregnant, newly postpartum, or reflecting on your own motherhood journey, this conversation offers reassurance, validation, and practical wisdom for navigating one of life's biggest transitions.Listen next 👇Episode 33: Matresence 101If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mother (or mom-to-be)Vanessa's links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Postpartum Prep Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠