#35 Patrescence: The Transition to Parenthood- With Regular Dad Will

The Matrescence Podcast

While progress is slow, more and more we are seeing a growing awareness of the term matrescence - What it means, why it matters and how it shapes our experience of motherhood.

We now have a handful of experts, books, blogs, podcasts and social media accounts dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of this powerful rite of passage.

As the women in our community grow in their understanding of matrescence, we are seeing an increased capacity and desire to understand their partner's experience of this transition.

However, many men have a hard time discussing the challenges they face throughout their transition to fatherhood.

While men may not endure the physical experience of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding, men and non-birthing partners experience many of the same changes that mothers do. Not only does parenthood restructure their social life, sex life, finances and more, but more and more research suggests that men and non-birthing partners also experience hormonal changes as well as changes to their brain structure and function.

This absolutely fascinating.

While there is still a huge lack of research into men's experiences of the transition to fatherhood, this rite of passage has been given a name - patrescence.

Today we get to explore patresnce through the eyes of local Brisbane dad - Will.

Throughout the episode, we discuss his fears and apprehensions about fatherhood, how he found the experience of trying to conceive, the moment he found out he was going to be a dad, his involvement in the pregnancy, watching his son crown, and so much more.

This episode is rich and hilarious and is definitely one that you're going to want to listen to with your partner.