Women experience incredible, life-changing transformations throughout their lives. One such magnificent journey is through their pregnancy. To describe this complex physical and emotional journey, Dana Raphael coined the term matrescence in the early 1970s. our understanding of the mental health dimension still lags While our understanding of the physical aspects of this journey has advanced significantly.
Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust. Career journey and experience Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee.
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Education and professional background Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Editorial Philosophy I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. “Maternal mental health refers to a mother’s emotional and social well-being during pregnancy and after childbirth. Despite this, it is often an overlooked aspect of maternal care. Women are unlikely to seek help for their concerns. They tend to prioritize family over self,” Psychiatrist Dr Deeksha Rohilla, Lilavati Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai, tells Health Shots . Stigma around mental illness further impedes new mothers from seeking help. Many hide their struggles for fear of being deemed an unfit mother. Unwell mothers often struggle to bond with their child, impacting breastfeeding, causing attachment issues in the child, and delaying psychological growth. The journey of matrescence begins with the planning of pregnancy. This is where your inner journey starts. Worries and apprehensions around pregnancy and motherhood are natural. Taking time to understand what lies ahead is beneficial. The period from conception till delivery is shaped by changing hormones, evolving family roles, lifestyle adjustments, and changes in body image. This can be emotionally taxing. Experiencing mood swings, irritability, and crying spells is common in this phase. Worries about the future, being a ‘good enough mother’, and the child’s wellbeing can surface. Maternal mental disorders like prenatal anxiety and depression can occur during this period. Take time to rest, socialize, and do activities you enjoy. do talk about your mental well-being While attending your regular antenatal classes. Just like the female body starts preparing early for birth by having false labor pains, emotional preparation should also start early. Prepare yourself mentally for the process over time. Talk to your doctor about pain management and birth options. Being flexible in planning at this stage can ease anxiety. Continue your regular lifestyle practices, including exercise, work, and socialization, without overexerting yourself. Additionally, grounding exercises and mindfulness can help calm the wavering mind during this high-pressure phase. The postpartum period , or the first year after delivery, also referred to as the fourth trimester, opens a whole new world of joys and transformative hurdles. The mother takes on increased responsibility for the newborn while still recovering physically. many maternal mental health disorders can develop in this phase While anxieties around doing things right and the child’s welfare are common. This usually gets better with time. At times, it becomes longer and more intense, involving profound sadness, disinterest, and disconnection from everyone. Some new moms may start neglecting the baby. In rare cases, odd behaviors and thought patterns can develop, warranting urgent medical attention. These conditions are treatable with medications, and one should always consult a doctor.
When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers. 10% of pregnant women and 13% of new mothers experience a mental health disorder, according to the World Health Organization. The most common mental health condition faced by up to 80% of new mothers is baby blues, characterized by crying spells, mood swings, and feeling overwhelmed due to the changes in their lives.
“What most do not recognize is the impact of maternal mental health on the health and well-being of the child and family,” says the expert. “Emotional readiness, developing support systems, and healthy lifestyle practices can go a long way,” says the doctor. “These are characterised by persistent sadness, crying, hopelessness, excessive worry and withdrawal from loved ones”, explains the expert. “Talking with your support system about your fears, concerns, expectations, and experiences can provide much-needed reassurance,” says the psychiatrist. “Breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and lack of time for self-care can all lead to maternal exhaustion,” says Dr Rohilla. “Other anxiety or obsessive patterns can also develop where mothers don’t permit family, including the father, to touch the baby, out of fear of losing them,” says the doctor.
Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first. Avoiding information overload, especially online, is especially important today.
Subject expertise With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions. In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context. Being practical and open to accepting help when needed will make your journey more fulfilling. Recognizing your own struggles and seeking support when needed can foster a healthy bond with your child, one that will last for years to come and lay the foundation for your child’s well-being.
“Pregnancy and the postpartum period may pass quickly, but motherhood is a lifelong journey,” says the doctor. From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?
