EP#06: Matrescence, Motherhood and Sexuality with Sarah Forbes

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network:
https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

This episode was generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health:
https://florahealth.com/products/ferritin

About the Episode
Our guest Sarah Forbes, an anthropologist and former curator of the
Museum of Sex in New York City, introduces us to the word
matrescence, an anthropological term to describe the physical,
psychological and emotional changes (akin to adolescence) that
marks the “birth of a mother.” We discuss why the word is known to
so few of us and how to prepare and honour this time in a person’s
life. We discuss the “mental load of motherhood” and consider the
effect of a “village” on “motherwhelm” and the problem with the
idea of “bouncing back.”

We talk about navigating the terrain of pregnancy and birth,
setting your birth intentions and the challenge of choosing your
care providers when access is low.

Our guest discusses her experience of having conversations about
sexuality in her home as well as what she has learned so far with
her research for her new book “Mamasex” including postpartum
changes to a birthing person’s body and the emotional effect of the
transition to parenthood that can impact maternal sexuality.

Guest Bio & Links:
Sarah Forbes is a curator + sexual culturalist + author + personal
ethnographer. Dubbed a "sexpert supreme" by Cosmopolitan Magazine,
her memoir, "Sex in the Museum: My Unlikely Career At New York's
Most Provocative Museum," is based on her decade as the Curator of
the Museum of Sex. Unafraid of tackling taboo social topics, Sarah
is currently writing her second book, "Mama Sex," an
anthropological look at motherhood and sexuality.

Web: https://www.mamasexbook.com/
IG: @mamasexbook

Host Bio & Links:

Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth
Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest
in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three
wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes
strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful
ability to heal. She can be found at
https://www.familynaturopathy.ca
https://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
https://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery
Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been
supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing
children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique
breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and
transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at
https://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network:

The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier,
greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy
parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon
footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your
family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer
raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six
podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’
nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens.
Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life!
www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:

Audio magic on this episode was performed by Carlay
Ream-Neal.

This episode was edited by Emily Groleau.