Matrescence: Why You Don't Feel Like Yourself Postpartum with Emily Sferra

Описание: Did you feel completely blindsided by who you became after having a baby — even though you planned for it, prepared for it, and wanted it more than anything? There's a word for that.



In this episode, I sit down with acupuncturist and herbalist Emily Sferra of Perennial Health Acupuncture to talk about matrescence — the profound physical, psychological, and identity transformation that happens when you become a mother.



Emily is someone I instantly clicked with—and I mean that literally! We bonded the moment we introduced ourselves to each other as “Emily S”. What I appreciate most about Emily Sferra is that she embodies something I'm deeply committed to: the understanding that true healthcare has to be holistic, and it has to feel like genuine care.



She earned her Doctorate in Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Health & Science, with specialized training in Five Element Acupuncture. But what sets her apart isn't just her credentials—it's her philosophy. Emily offers Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine with a dedicated focus on the mental-emotional aspects of wellbeing. She gets it: our bodies and our minds aren't separate systems. They're intricately connected, and when we resource them appropriately, they have an innate capacity to heal.



What I've experienced firsthand is that her treatments actually feel different because she's thought deeply about what holistic healthcare should be. You walk into her space and you don't just receive a service—you feel welcomed, supported, resourced, and genuinely cared for. In a field where so much healthcare feels transactional, that matters enormously. I can't wait for you to hear her perspective on how we can approach perinatal wellness with this same depth and heart.



In this episode, we cover:

What matrescence is and why naming it matters
Why even the most prepared parents feel blindsided by the postpartum transition
How Chinese medicine has honored the postpartum body for thousands of years — including the sacred 40-day window
What it means to be "qi and blood deficient" after birth and why it makes you more vulnerable
Five element acupuncture and how it treats root causes, not just symptoms
Why bounce back culture is actively harmful
What "being resourced" really looks like for a new parent
How to start trusting your intuition again instead of outsourcing it
Emily Sferra's own postpartum experience — and what she'd do differently



The takeaway: You are not behind. You are not broken. You are _becoming_.



Connect with Emily Sferra: http://perennialhealthacupuncture.com



More About Your Host Dr. Emily:

Emily Spaeth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and founder of Be Well Baby in Portland, Oregon. With extensive NICU experience and training in craniosacral therapy, she leads a team providing home-based health care for families navigating the tricky parts of pregnancy and postpartum. 



She also created thehttp://www.bewellbaby.org/beyond-birt..., an online birth and postpartum educational community available to families across the country—so no matter where you are, you have access to support, resources, and connection. Emily is also a mother of three and passionate about helping families move from surviving to thriving.



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