Resources & Articles by Matrescence
How Do I Know If Baby Blues Are Something More Serious?
Written by Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-CCertified Perinatal Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and founder of Matrescence TherapyLearn more about Lauren Updated 8/18/2026 It is normal to feel emotional, overwhelmed, or tearful after having a baby, but it is...
Can Infertility Cause Anxiety and Depression?
Written by Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-CCertified Perinatal Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and founder of Matrescence TherapyLearn more about Lauren Updated 8/18/2026 Yes, infertility can cause anxiety and depression because the fertility journey often...
How Can I Prepare Emotionally for My Second Child?
Written by Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-CLauren Ratliff is an Illinois-based certified perinatal therapist, mother of three, and the founder & owner of Matrescence Therapy.Learn more about Lauren Updated 8/16/2026 Preparing for a second child is about more than...
Can Menopause Symptoms Make Your Mental Health Worse?
Written by Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-CLauren Ratliff is an Illinois-based certified perinatal therapist, mother of three, and the founder and owner of Matrescence Therapy.Learn more about Lauren Updated 8/16/2026 Yes. If you're already living with anxiety,...
Why Does IVF Make Me Feel Like My Body Is Failing Me?
Written by Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-CLauren Ratliff is an Illinois-based certified perinatal therapist, mother of three, and founder of Matrescence Therapy.Learn more about Lauren updated 7/10/26 If failed IVF has left you feeling like your body is failing you,...
Why Is My Second Pregnancy Harder Than My First?
Written by Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-CLauren Ratliff is an Illinois-based certified perinatal therapist, mother of three, and founder of Matrescence Therapy.Learn more about Lauren updated 7/10/2026 If your second pregnancy feels harder than your first, you're not...
Bonding With Baby: Why Don’t I Feel Connected to My Baby?
Written by Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-CLauren Ratliff is an Illinois-based certified perinatal therapist, mother of three, and founder & owner of Matrescence Therapy.Learn more about Lauren updated 7/9/2026 Bonding with a baby is the emotional connection that...
How Can I Cope with Perimenopause Symptoms?
Written by Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-C Lauren Ratliff is an Illinois-based certified perinatal therapist, mother of three, and founder & owner of Matrescence Therapy. Learn more about LaurenUpdated: 7/9/2026 Perimenopause symptoms can feel like your body and...
When You Realize You’re Parenting Yourself Too
There's a moment that catches many mothers off guard. You're doing something ordinary — comforting your child after a nightmare, telling them it's okay to cry, sitting with them through something hard without trying to fix it immediately — and something shifts. A...
How to Cope With Daycare Drop-Off Guilt (Without Spiraling)
You held it together through the goodbye. You handed them over, said something cheerful, maybe waved from the door. You walked to your car with reasonable composure. And then you sat in the driver's seat and fell apart — crying in a parking lot at 7:45 in the...
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