Episode #15
When Matrescence Meets the NICU The maternal brain, trauma and becoming a mother in intensive care
We spend a great deal of time discussing the vulnerability of babies born prematurely or admitted to the NICU and rightly so. But far less is said about the mother whose brain, body, identity and relationships are also undergoing an enormous transition. In this episode, Anandé is joined by Lottie King, a NICU and baby-loss mother, nervous-system educator, charity founder and CEO, and master’s student at King’s College London studying the neuroscience and psychology of mental health. Together, they explore what happens when matrescence, the developmental transition into motherhood, unfolds in the context of trauma, uncertainty and intensive care. In this episode, we explore What matrescence means and why mothers deserve to know about it How the maternal brain changes during pregnancy and early motherhood Why “mum brain” is an inadequate description of profound neurobiological reorganisation How the maternal brain may adapt differently across first and subsequent pregnancies What happens when early motherhood unfolds alongside NICU, medical complexity, trauma or loss How separation and altered sensory cues can affect the caregiving experience Why NICU parents may rely heavily on monitors, charts and medical information Why NICU parents should not be expected to seek out all their own support while operating in survival mode What more compassionate, preventative and family-centred NICU care could look like About Lottie King Lottie King is a NICU and baby-loss mother, nervous-system educator, charity founder and CEO, and a master’s student at King’s College London studying the neuroscience and psychology of mental health. Her work brings together neuroscience, nervous-system education, professional learning and lived experience to deepen understanding of what NICU families endure. You can follow Lottie’s educational work on Instagram at @nicu_neuroscience. Families and professionals in the northeast of England can also find Leo’s Neonatal on Instagram and Facebook . Closing note This episode offers a different lens on NICU care: one that recognises that while a baby’s development requires careful protection, the mother is also moving through a vulnerable and transformative developmental period. When we understand both, we can begin to care for the whole family differently.
