Matrescense — Sarah Osborn

Matrescence is the physical, emotional, hormonal and social transition to becoming a mother.

‘during matrescence, people expect you to be happy while you’re losing control over the way you look and feel’

My daughter was born 2 weeks early via an emergency c-section and I was thrust into a world I thought I was ready for, but turns out I knew so little about.

I spent most of my pregnancy ‘preparing’ the way society tells us to, I had a pretty nursery, a hospital bag packed, a baby shower and cute clothes at the ready.

What I gave no thought to was what happens AFTER the baby is born, how to cope, and how it would really change my life, my body and my relationships.

I spent the first few weeks furious at all women, and society for leading me to believe certain things, and not being honest about how birth isn’t always so natural, breastfeeding doesn’t come easy for all and motherhood is incredibly lonely and so much harder than expected, especially after a difficult pregnancy, traumatic birth and being let down by a failing medical system.

As I began to talk honestly with friends and family I learnt how many others struggled silently and shamefully with birth trauma, breastfeeding, sleep deprivation and post natal depression. I noticed how many other mothers now gave me a nod and smile as I passed them, a silent understanding.

I had joined a club I didn’t know existed and the learning curve was steep.

This body of work was made in stolen moments in the first few months of motherhood. It is my personal experience and documents the items that contributed in my entrance to ‘matrescence’. The notion of ‘if you know, you know’