Honouring each women’s unique journey, every step of the way.

About me:

Hi, I’m Mel- a qualified Occupational Therapist, Postpartum Doula & the founder of Motherscape. I live in the beautiful Eastern suburbs of Sydney.

I created Motherscape after my own transition to motherhood. It involved a profound reshaping of everyday life, my identity, relationships and my overall capacity. I felt unsure, lost and completely overwhelmed.

My work is grounded in supporting women and their families, though pregnancy, postpartum, and early motherhood- not only emotionally, but practically too.

I’m especially interested in the often unseen parts of maternal life: the mental load, sensory demands, shifting routines, overwhelm and the everyday rhythms mothers move within.

Through occupational therapy, postpartum support, education and reflective resources, I aim to help mothers feel more supported within the changing landscape of motherhood.

Why Motherscape?

As they say, when a baby is born, so is a mother. The transition to motherhood or ‘matrescence’ brings with it significant life changes. Yet at this challenging time, culturally we tend to focus our attention to the new baby, rather than the physical and psychological needs of the mother. However many families are struggling alone through what should be one of the most joyful times in their lives. The needs of the family as a whole are not being fully addressed.

  • At least 1 in 5 women experience anxiety, depression or both during the transition to motherhood.

  • Around 1 in 10 fathers experience difficulty adjusting to becoming a father.

The experience of motherhood can bring with it vast and an ever-changing terrain. Each mother navigates her own unique landscape encountering peaks of joy, valleys of exhaustion and many winding roads of change and growth. Hence ‘Motherscape’ came about as I wanted to create a meaningful impact on the landscape of each individual and their family.

‘When I became a mother, I became a landscape. Flattened and silent, I became a backdrop to my children’s everyday lives and sleepless nights. But beyond that, I also became a vast space as my body and being composed an entire world for my young children. Hence, my “motherscape” is a space of opposing forces: reduction and expansion, isolation and connection, anxiety and bliss, rage and love.’

-Jayne Matricardi.‍ ‍

Our mission at Motherscape:

My aim at Motherscape is to support women, new mothers and parents by helping establish healthy routines, personalised interventions and adaptations tailored to your individual situation.

I’m offering:

  • Practical support

  • Help to manage the intensity of early motherhood

  • Environmental support

  • Functional daily-life guidance

  • Reflective maternal care

  • An OT-informed lens.

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Let’s get started on your healing journey!

Training:

  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) - APHRA Registered Therapist.

  • Applied Skills in Perinatal Mental Health Assessment and Care - The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)

  • ADHD Professional (ADHD-CCSP) Intensive Training Course (PESI Australia).

  • Nurture Occupational Therapy- OTs in Maternal Health

  • Postpartum Education and Care Professional (Newborn Mothers Australia).

  • Valid Working with Children Check.

  • Valid National Police Check.