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Paper Short Abstract:

Through collaborative anthropological and community work we explore 1) Postpartum bodies and their racialization process; 2) The social needs during the postpartum period and the nuanced role of community networks; 3) Community-informed solutions to address the diverse needs of parents.

Paper Abstract:

In the 1970s, anthropologist Dana Raphaël brought attention to the concept of "matrescence" — a term crafted as a counterpart to adolescence, aiming to capture the transformation of a woman into a mother. However, the field of reproductive anthropology has, until now, demonstrated limited interest in the social dynamics unfolding in the aftermath of childbirth.

In December 2023, a group of anthropological scholars and community organizers convened in Paris, France, to collectively explore postpartum experiences across diverse settings, including California, Haiti, France, Italy, and India. This dialogue sought to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of global postpartum dynamics, revealing both shared elements and differences in postpartum care. It underscored the occasionally ambivalent role of social networks, the insufficient support for mothers and parents, the repercussions of medical mistreatment on the postpartum experience, and the influence of government-led policies.

In this presentation, we extend our collective inquiry by highlighting three key areas of focus in our work: 1) The mediation of postpartum bodies through the racialization process; 2) The social needs during the postpartum period and the nuanced role of community networks; 3) Community-informed solutions to address the diverse needs of parents.