December 8, 2025
The life course perspective, while foundational to maternal and child health (MCH) research, requires refinement to explicitly address the unique developmental needs of the transition to motherhood. In this commentary, jointly written with the Wallace Center, we argue that the concept of "matrescence"—the transformative period encompassing pregnancy and postpartum—should be integrated as a critical and sensitive period within the MCH life course framework. Access the full article here.