Guided by research and occupational therapy practices, this evidence-based text maps how occupational therapists and the allied health collective can holistically promote women’s health, wellbeing, and self-efficacy during matrescence – the bio-psycho-social-political-spiritual-developmental journey and rite of passage of mother-becoming. From person-centred, gender-sensitive, and feminist perspectives, this book introduces a compassionate and non-medicalised framework guiding how health and wellbeing professionals can engage responsively with women during motherhood journeys. Building on doctoral research exploring the role of occupational therapists in perinatal health, this guide includes occupation- and co-occupation-based theories, models, and frameworks for supporting women’s transitions and transformations as individuals, and mother-infant dyads. Bolstered by learning objectives, case studies, summaries and reflective questions, the chapters feature a collection of innovative occupational therapy approaches to support women struggling with overwhelm, burnout, and other common, normalised issues across the lifespan–from womanhood to grandmotherhood, and menstruation to menopause. Further, the book sheds light on the ‘dark side’ of motherhood occupations, outlining holistic strategies to promote functional capacities, empowering and enabling women work to through the impacts of role overloading, disrupted identity, shame, dysfunction, and perinatal trauma. A much-needed addition to the perinatal care field, this essential guide is tailored for occupational therapy, mental health and other healthcare practitioners and postgraduate students working in perinatal health and matrescence.

Table of Contents:
SECTION 1: Theoretical foundations for understanding the occupational nature of women’s health and matrescence 1. Redefining women's health in the 21st century: Embracing holistic perspectives and acknowledging gendered realities 2. Occupational therapy in women’s health: Gender-responsive practice approaches for girls and women throughout the lifespan 3. Exploring feminist perspectives in women’s health, motherhood, and occupational therapy 4. Allied health and holistic care approaches to women’s health and wellbeing: A collaborative team perspective 5. Enhancing women’s health through occupational therapy leadership 6. Breaking the silence on women’s invisible wellbeing challenges: Contemporary practice and research priorities SECTION 2: The occupational nature of matrescence 7. The occupational nature of matrescence 8. Matrescence as a spiritual occupation and transformative life event: Rites of passage, rituals, and transitions 9. Exploring the intersection of feminism, matrescence, and occupational therapy practice 10. The perinatal transitions of matrescence: An occupational therapy perspective 11. The occupational nature of women’s mental health and illness during perinatal transitions and matrescence 12. Power, agency, and fundamental human needs: Health, wellbeing, and quality of life during motherhood SECTION 3: Occupational therapy skills and practice for perinatal health, motherhood, and matrescence 13. Foundations to facilitate knowledge translation for evidence-based best practice 14. Navigating ‘normal’ motherhood struggles: Movement, compassion, and occupational balance 15. Illuminating the dark side of matrescence: A practical guide for responsive occupational therapy practice 16. Addressing the occupational nature of menstruation: A human occupation approach 17. Strengthening women’s psychosocial health, wellbeing, and quality of life during perinatal transitions and motherhood 18. Co-occupation-based interventions during perinatal transitions and motherhood 19. Occupation-based approaches to pelvic health and wellbeing 20. Empowering mothers during recovery: Occupational-based strategies for women working through perinatal mental disorders 21. A neurodiversity-affirming approach to matrescence: Empowerment through person-centred and strengths-based occupational therapy practices 22. Empowered girls and women with low vision and blindness across the lifespan: Navigating gendered occupations during perinatal transitions of matrescence 23. Empowering connections: Storytelling, lifespan approaches, and therapeutic mother’s groups for enhanced wellbeing 24. Navigating menopause transitions: Holistic occupational therapy approaches for enhancing women’s wellbeing