Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Science of Motherhood
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 250. Puberty Is Starting Earlier. Here's How to Talk About It | 26 Oct 2026 | 01:02:38 | |
Puberty is arriving earlier for our kids than it did for most of us, and it can catch you off guard before you've worked out what to say. Feeling unprepared is a normal place to start, and small conversations are enough to get going. The conversations that help most can begin well before the big questions arrive. This conversation gives you the words, the timing and the reassurance to begin. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, co-founders of Less Awkward and co-hosts of the This Is So Awkward podcast. Cara is a Harvard and Johns Hopkins trained paediatrician and the author of the bestselling Care and Keeping of You series, which has guided a generation of kids in the US through puberty. Vanessa is a bestselling author and educator who founded Dynamo Girl, a programme that builds girls' self-esteem through sport and body literacy. Together they wrote This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained, and they now bring the same science and warmth to classrooms through a health and sex education curriculum for kindergarten through to 12th grade. In this conversation they cover the first signs to look for, what researchers think is driving the shift, and easy ways into the talk, from car rides to bath time. You'll Hear About:
A short chat in the car, a pause during a movie, or a second try after the supermarket all count as starting. Small conversations add up to a child who knows they can come to you. Share this with a friend who has a child heading towards puberty and isn't sure where to start. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Connect with Dr Renee White Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Dr Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett Learn more about their work at Less Awkward Connect with Less Awkward on Instagram: @less.awkward Explore Less Awkward's digital health and sex education curriculum for kindergarten through to 12th grade, That Health Class, which blends science with joy. Find out more in the curriculum kit and read testimonials from schools. A parallel parent curriculum sits in The Hub, so the lessons are fully transparent and adults can catch up on what they may never have learned. Books mentioned in this conversation This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained by Dr Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett Teenhood: Confessions & Lessons for the Trickiest Phase of Parenting by Vanessa Kroll Bennett (releases 19 January 2027) The Care and Keeping of You series by Dr Cara Natterson Untangled by Dr Lisa Damour The Curse of the Good Girl by Rachel Simmons The New Puberty: How to Navigate Early Development in Today's Girls by Dr Louise Greenspan and Dr Julianna Deardorff This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 249. Does My Baby Need a Tongue-Tie Snip? | 19 Oct 2026 | 00:18:18 | |
What if the most important part of the tongue-tie conversation happens before anyone looks in your baby's mouth? A new review from three surgeons on tongue-tie and breastfeeding says it's worth knowing what that is. If someone's mentioned a tongue-tie during a hard week of feeding, a fix that takes minutes can sound like relief, and that makes complete sense. The review points to what needs to happen first, and it gives you a clear set of questions to bring to your midwife, GP or lactation consultant. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White unpacks the review and what it means for you. She explores who may benefit from a frenotomy, which method has the evidence behind it, and the support worth trying before anyone picks up the scissors. You'll Hear About:
A frenotomy can be a helpful tool for the right baby once skilled feeding support is in place, and if it changed everything for you, that experience is real. You're allowed to ask for a whole feed to be watched, to understand the method, and to know who will check how feeding is going afterwards. Wanting those answers first is a sound way to look after you and your baby. If a friend is up at 3am googling tongue-tie, send her the link to The Science of Motherhood and let her know she's allowed to ask questions first. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies If you're worried your baby isn't gaining weight or getting enough milk, please see your GP, child health nurse or lactation consultant straight away. The Australian Breastfeeding Association National Breastfeeding Helpline is free and open 24 hours a day on 1800 686 268 (1800 mum 2 mum). For additional information, visit the Australian Breastfeeding Association website. Research discussed: Lingual Frenotomy for Breastfeeding Difficulties: Indications, Surgical Techniques and Multidisciplinary Care in Infants and Young Children. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. PMID 42543437 This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 248. Kind Words That Hurt After a Miscarriage and What to Say | 12 Oct 2026 | 00:57:01 | |
Miscarriage is far more common than we're told, and the silence around it can leave you feeling like you're the only one. If someone has said "at least you can get pregnant" or suggested you focus on the baby you already have, you're allowed to feel those words missed the mark. Your loss is a loss, and you deserve support that treats it that way. Whether you're grieving now, pregnant again and carrying a lot of worry, or wondering how to support someone you love, there's more help out there than you might realise. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Samantha Payne, co-founder and CEO of the Pink Elephants Support Network, to explore early pregnancy loss and the support available. Samantha shares her story of three miscarriages, how her grief became a three-year campaign that changed Australian law, and what care, workplaces and loved ones can still do better. You'll Hear About:
Grief after pregnancy loss moves at its own pace, and you deserve to feel held, heard and supported through it. Share this conversation with a friend, sister or colleague who could use it. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Connect with Renee Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Samantha Payne Pink Elephants Support Network: pinkelephants.org.au Instagram: @pinkelephantssupport LinkedIn: Samantha Payne Pregnancy loss support Pink Elephants Pregnancy Loss Helpline, delivered by PANDA on 1300 726 306. It's free and open seven days a week. This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 247. The Type A Mama's Guide to Preparing for Motherhood | 05 Oct 2026 | 00:22:28 | |
If you're a Type A personality, you've probably mapped out almost everything, from the pram research to the hospital bag spreadsheet. And if a quiet voice is asking what happens when you can't control it all, that voice belongs to someone who cares deeply and wants to get this right. Your planning brain is one of your greatest strengths as a mama. It needs a slightly different job description once baby arrives, and the research shows where to point it. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White unpacks how to prepare for motherhood as a Type A personality, from the surprising origin of the label to what the research says about perfectionism, your remodelled brain and your baby's body clock. She also shares her two-part framework, control the controllables and embrace the spontaneity, along with a confession about a spreadsheet and an algorithm from her first baby. You'll Hear About:
Your planning strength has a wonderful home in motherhood, from a stocked freezer to a support team waiting in your corner. With that in place, you get to give yourself permission to let go of the rest and enjoy meeting your baby, one thirsty, hungry or sleepy day at a time. And if the need for control starts tipping into constant worry, reaching out early is one of the most Type A things you can do. If you know a Type A mama who has a spreadsheet for the hospital bag, send it her way. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Hear Dr Elseline Hoekzema explain your changing brain in Ep 237. Pregnancy Rewires Your Brain. Here's What You Gain Support for new and expecting parents from PANDA on 1300 726 306, Monday to Saturday, or visit panda.org.au This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 246. What Every Dog Owner Needs to Do Before Baby Comes Home | 28 Sep 2026 | 00:44:00 | |
You've packed the hospital bag, set up the nursery, and read all the baby books. But there's one family member who's easy to forget until your newborn actually comes home, and that's your dog. The shift from being the centre of your world to sharing space with a brand new tiny human can be a lot for them to process too. If you've caught yourself wondering how your dog is going to cope, that instinct is worth listening to. Getting it right comes down to preparation you can start well before your due date, and a few small shifts in how you read your dog's cues. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Seb Lemaire, founder and head trainer at Canines on Cue Dog Training on the Gold Coast, to unpack how to prepare your dog for a new baby. Seb draws on his own experience as a dad to a toddler and years of dog training to walk through what those first weeks look like from your dog's point of view. You'll Hear About:
A little preparation now means your dog and your baby get the chance to feel safe together from day one. You don't have to navigate this alone, and with the right groundwork, your home can hold space for both of them. If you know a dog owner counting down to their due date, send this one their way. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Connect with Dr Renee White Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Seb Lemaire Learn more about Seb and explore: Canines on Cue Connect with Seb on Instagram: @caninesoncue Learn more about Seb’s course: Safe Start — How to Introduce Your Dog to Your Newborn Safely This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 245. Preparing Your Toddler Before Baby Comes Home | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:17:35 | |
Somewhere between announcing baby number two or three and the baby actually arriving, there's a question nearly every mother asks, how do you stop your toddler from resenting the baby. Underneath it sits a quieter fear, that loving a second child might mean taking something away from the first. Decades of research on sibling adjustment paint a far gentler picture than we once assumed. This transition responds beautifully to preparation, the same way baby's arrival does. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White unpacks how to prepare your toddler for a new sibling, from the first conversation to the everyday job that makes the shift feel like theirs. She covers the play-based science behind emotional regulation, a ritual for protecting your quiet moments, and two ways to ask for support. You'll Hear About:
Your toddler can move through this gently, with the groundwork you lay now. Every small job, every basket, every hand from your village adds up to a softer landing for both your children. Share this episode with a friend expecting baby number two or three, she'll want this before the due date. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Connect with Dr Renee White 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🎧 Catch up on the power of play with Tina Payne Bryson in Episode 236 A few books worth having on hand before baby arrives:
This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 244. Breast Pumping Explained: What No One Tells You | 14 Sep 2026 | 01:04:52 | |
You're sent home with a breast pump after birth and left to work out the rest of your pumping and breastfeeding journey on your own. No one mentions flange size, settings or the fact you might not need to sterilise a single part. Pumping comes with more variables than most mums are ever told about, and working them out alone in the middle of exhausted, hormonal days makes everything harder than it needs to be. Understanding what actually matters can take a lot of that pressure off. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Fotini Gniel, founder of Nurturing Flow and breast pump and flange fitting specialist, to work through everything mums are rarely taught about pumping, from flange sizing and settings to choosing the right pump and caring for exclusive pumpers. Together they bust some of the most common myths mums are told in hospital and beyond. You'll Hear About
With the right information, pumping can feel manageable, straightforward and genuinely doable. If this conversation changed how you think about pumping, share it with a mama figuring hers out alone. Subscribe to The Science of Motherhood to keep these conversations coming to your feed. Resources & Links Connect with Dr Renee White 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 📲 Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Fotini Gniel 📲 Connect with Fotini on Instagram: @nurturing.flow 🌐 Learn more about Fotini’s work: www.nurturingflow.com.au This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 243. What Does a Birth Doula Actually Do? | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:49:40 | |
You might wonder what a doula actually does, or whether having one is worth it when you've already got a partner and a midwife by your side. There's a lot of noise out there about what the role really involves, and most of it doesn't reflect what a doula is actually there to do. A doula's real job is to be a steady, judgement-free presence, there for exactly what you need and out of the way for the rest. There's a lot to untangle about where a doula fits, what they actually do in the room, and how that support changes depending on how your birth unfolds. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Amanda Down, Fill Your Cup's longest-standing birth doula, to unpack what doulas actually do and how they fit alongside midwives and partners. Amanda draws on years of supporting mamas through pregnancy, birth and postpartum to explain how doulas build trust, advocate in the birth space and adapt to whatever a family needs on the day. This is Part 6, the final instalment, of our Pregnancy and Birth series. You'll Hear About:
Wherever you land on the spectrum of support you want, you get to decide what your birth looks like and who stands beside you for it. Amanda's approach is a reminder that you don't need permission to trust yourself, only the right people in your corner. Share this with a friend who's weighing up whether a doula is right for her birth team. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Connect with Dr Renee White 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 📲 Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 242. Pregnancy Myths Debunked: What's Actually True | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:53:27 | |
Someone in your life has probably already told you what pregnancy is "supposed" to feel like, whether you asked or not. When what you're going through doesn't line up with that, it's easy to wonder what's wrong with you instead of questioning where that advice even came from. These are the myths mums are told to accept without question, pulled apart to show what happens to your confidence when you stop challenging them. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Emma Black, Clinical and Perinatal Psychologist, to bust some of pregnancy's most persistent myths. Together they unpack where these beliefs come from, why they stick around for generations, and how mums can start trusting their own judgement instead. This is part 5 of 6 in our Pregnancy and Birth series. You'll Hear About
You're allowed to question the rules you were handed and keep only the ones that actually serve you. Trust builds when you start choosing what fits your family instead of what's expected of you. If this conversation helped you see one of these myths differently, share it with a mama who needs permission to let it go too. Subscribe to The Science of Motherhood so new episodes land in your feed each week. Resources & Links Connect with Dr Renee White 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 📲 Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Dr Emma Black Learn more about Emma and her work: 🌐 townsvillepsychologist.com.au 📲 Follow Emma on instagram: @emmablackpsych 📲 Follow Emma on Facebook: emmablackpsych 📖 The Pregnancy Myths Guide now available in bookstores or online ✨ This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Central Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 241. Birth Trauma Explained: Signs, Causes and Healing | 24 Aug 2026 | 01:08:29 | |
Maybe your birth went exactly how everyone told you it should, and you still can't shake the way it made you feel. Maybe it didn't go anywhere near the plan, and somehow you came out the other side feeling strong. Whatever your birth looked like on paper, if it left something behind that you're still carrying, that's worth taking seriously. This is for you if you've never quite known what to call what happened to you. It's for you if you're getting ready to give birth and want to understand what actually helps when things don't go to plan. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Claire DiCarlo, perinatal counsellor and founder of Rad Parents, to get honest about what birth trauma really is and why it's so often missed. Claire brings both her clinical experience supporting mums through birth trauma and her own birth story, which didn't go to plan, to explore why the people around you matter more than the outcome, and what real support looks like once it's over. This is part four of the six-part Pregnancy and Birth series. You'll Hear About:
There's no timeline for making sense of your birth, and no version of your story that's too small to matter. However long it takes you to get there, you deserve the space to talk about it. Share this with a mum who's never had the words for what her birth left behind. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Connect with Dr Renee White 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 📲 Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Claire DiCarlo 🌐 Learn more about Claire’s work with Rad Parents: www.radparents.com.au 🌐 Learn more about Claire’s work with Beyond Birth: www.beyondbirthcourse.com 📲 Connect with Claire on Instagram: @clairedicarlo_radparents ✨ This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Central Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 240. Birthing on Country: What Culturally Safe Care Looks Like | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:40:25 | |
For generations, birth belonged to community, culture and country. That belonging is being reclaimed inside hospital rooms across Australia today, one birth at a time. That's the belief driving birthing on country, a way of caring for mothers built on trust, culture and community. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Melanie Briggs, a proud Dharawal and Gumbaynggirr woman and endorsed midwife who manages the Birthing on Country program at Waminda, to explore what birthing on country truly means. Together they unpack the model's remarkable outcomes, the systemic barriers First Nations families still face, and the personal calling that led Melanie to this work. This is part three of six in our Pregnancy and Birth series. You'll Hear About
Birthing on country is a powerful reminder that culturally safe care is every mother's birth right. When community leads the way, mothers and babies thrive. Share this episode with a mother who deserves to know her birth rights matter. Subscribe to The Science of Motherhood for more conversations that put evidence and community at the heart of birth. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 📲 Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: Renee White 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Melanie Briggs 📲 Instagram: @birthingoncountry_waminda 📘 Facebook: Waminda - Birthing on Country 🌐 Website: waminda.org.au/maternity/birthing-on-country This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 239. Birth Centres Explained: Is One Right for You? | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:52:44 | |
Most mamas picture birth happening in a hospital room, because that's the only version most of us have ever seen. There's another path many don't even know exists. Hospital can feel like the only option on the table, but there's a wider spectrum of care available than most mums realise. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Jaimee Smith, endorsed private midwife and manager of the Launceston Birth Centre. Jaimee shares how relationship based care shapes calmer births and why continuity with the same midwife changes the experience for mums. This is part two of our six part Pregnancy and Birth series. You'll hear about
Understanding the full spectrum of care available means you get to choose what feels safest and most supported for your family. Share this episode with a friend who's exploring her birth options beyond the hospital doors. Subscribe to The Science of Motherhood so you never miss an episode. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Jamiee: Website: themidwivesmidwife.com Instagram: @themidwivesmidwife_ Facebook: The Midwives’ Midwife This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 238. What to Expect From Private Midwifery Care on Day One | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:50:18 | |
You've probably never been told that a private midwife is even an option, not just the hospital care you default to. That gap in information can shape how safe, informed and supported you feel through pregnancy and birth. This conversation gives you a real look at what private midwifery care involves in practice, from early pregnancy through labour, and why having the same trusted person by your side changes the experience. This is part one of our six-part Pregnancy and Birth series. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Kelly Langford, endorsed private midwife and co-founder of MAMA Private Midwifery Practice, to explore what private midwifery care and home birth involve. Together they cover continuity of care, what non-negotiables matter for first-time mums, the physiology behind labour, and how to choose a care provider that feels right. You'll Hear About
You don't need a radical plan to feel in control of your birth, only the right information and the right people around you. Understanding your options early gives you the confidence to make decisions that are truly your own. If this conversation shifted how you think about your birth options, share it with a friend who's navigating the same decisions. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🌐 Learn more about MAMA and their midwifery services 📲 Follow Kelly and the team at MAMA on Instagram @mamabirth.au This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 237. Pregnancy Rewires Your Brain. Here's What You Gain | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:41:37 | |
That feeling of not quite recognising yourself after your baby arrives has a biological explanation. Pregnancy reshapes the structure of the brain, and those changes can still be measured years down the track. What you're experiencing is your brain doing exactly what it's built to do. If you've ever said out loud that you feel like a different person since becoming a mum, you're describing something researchers can now see on a scan. Understanding what's happening in there changes how the whole experience feels. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Elseline Hoekzema, neuroscientist and head of the Pregnancy Brain Lab at Amsterdam University Medical Center, to unpack what pregnancy does to the maternal brain. Together they explore the changes to brain tissue first mapped in 2017, what those changes mean for how you think and feel, and what shifts differently the second time around. Elseline also works through the questions that flooded in after Renee shared her research on Instagram, covering what might happen with a third or fourth baby, spacing between siblings, pregnancy loss, and what changes for fathers and adoptive parents. She's honest about how much this field still has left to uncover. You'll Hear About:
Your brain has been quietly reorganising itself to meet the exact demands of the life you're now living. Knowing that gives you something solid to hold onto on the days you feel furthest from yourself. Share this with a friend who's been saying she doesn't feel like herself since having her baby. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Follow Renee on Instagram: fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Follow Elseline's and the Pregnancy Brain Lab's work on Instagram: @pregnancybrainlab Explore the Hoekzema Lab research at pregnancyandthebrain.com Studies mentioned in this episode 📄 Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure. Nature Neuroscience, 2017. PMID 27991897 📄 Do pregnancy-induced brain changes reverse? The brain of a mother six years after parturition. Brain Sciences, 2021. PMID 33525512 📄 Mapping the effects of pregnancy on resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture. Nature Communications, 2022. PMID 36414622 📄 The effects of a second pregnancy on women's brain structure and function. Nature Communications, 2026. PMID 41714315 This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 236. What Your Child's Brain Is Doing Mid-Meltdown | 20 Jul 2026 | 01:21:43 | |
Your child is banging on the wall, sobbing, and won't let you near them. In that moment, staying calm isn't about having the right words, it's about understanding what's happening in their brain and yours. This conversation gets into what's happening in your child's brain during a meltdown, and how you can stay regulated enough to help them find their way back. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Tina Payne Bryson, New York Times bestselling author of The Whole-Brain Child and founder of The Center for Connection, to explore what's happening in a child's brain during a meltdown and how parents can respond in ways that build resilience instead of reactivity. They talk through practical, science-backed strategies for staying regulated as a parent, repairing after the hard moments, and why play might be the most underrated tool in your parenting kit. You'll Hear About
You don't need to get every moment right to raise a regulated, resilient child. What matters is showing up, staying steady in the hard moments, and repairing when you get it wrong. If this conversation shifted how you think about your child's big feelings, share it with a friend who needs to hear it too. Subscribe to The Science of Motherhood so you never miss an episode. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Guest links: 🌐 Website: tinabryson.com 📩 Subscribe: tinabryson.com/subscribe 📲 Instagram: instagram.com/tinapaynebryson 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCCXGwMEmoL_noUYgx8kpakw 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/TinaPayneBrysonPhD 🐦 X/Twitter: twitter.com/tinabryson 🏢 The Center for Connection: thecenterforconnection.org 🏢 Play Strong Institute: playstronginstitute.com 🏢 CFC Santa Barbara: cfcsantabarbara.com 🛍 Amazon shop (Tina's favourites): amazon.com/shop/tinapaynebryson 📚 Books: The Bottom Line for Baby, The Whole-Brain Child, No-Drama Discipline, The Yes Brain, The Power of Showing Up, The Way of Play 📱 HumanUp app: humanup.com This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 235. Does Fibre Affect Your Fertility? New Research Explained | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:19:48 | |
Have you ever seen a headline claiming a certain food can boost your fertility and rolled your eyes? You're not wrong to be sceptical, and most of what circulates online about diet and conception is wellness noise dressed up as science. This time, the science actually holds up. A new 2026 study traces a real, step by step mechanism from what's on your plate to whether an embryo implants. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White breaks down a new mouse study linking dietary fibre, gut bacteria and the uterine immune system. She walks through how the pathway works, where the research falls short, and what's reasonable to take from it if you're trying to conceive. You'll Hear About:
You don't need to overhaul your diet to take this seriously. Paying attention to fibre quality, not only quantity, is a small, evidence-backed step available to you now. The mechanism is real, even if the guarantee isn't, and that still counts for something. If this episode helped you look at fertility diet advice differently, share it with a friend who's trying to conceive and wading through conflicting information. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 234. Why Doesn't My Midwife Ask About My Mental Health? | 06 Jul 2026 | 01:14:20 | |
You've sat through an antenatal appointment focused on blood pressure and bump measurements, wishing there'd been room to talk about how you were actually feeling. Midwives want that room too, working inside appointments measured in minutes. There's real momentum building to bring emotional wellbeing further into that time together. Two researchers went looking at exactly what that momentum looks like in practice, and how to act on it without asking midwives to find time they don't have. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Lesley Pascuzzi, childbirth educator and perinatal mental health researcher, and her colleague Nicole Freeman, midwife and PhD researcher in early pregnancy care, to unpack what midwives told them about supporting mental health during pregnancy. Together they explore where the system falls short, and the pilot program already testing a different way forward. You'll Hear About:
Knowledge is the foundation of advocating for your own mental health, in pregnancy and beyond. The more you understand about your options, the more equipped you are to ask for exactly what you need. If you've ever left an appointment feeling rushed or unheard, send this to a friend who's navigating pregnancy right now. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Follow Renee on Instagram: fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Lesley Pascuzzi on LinkedIn: Lesley Pascuzzi Connect with Nicole Freeman on LinkedIn: Nicole Freeman This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 233. Navigating Grandparents Without Losing Your Mind | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:26:47 | |
Your parents or your in-laws are going to tell you they did things differently and you turned out fine, right in the middle of a conversation about sleep safety or feeding choices, and you can feel the eye roll building before they've even finished the sentence. Their love is real, and you don't have to brace for it each time they visit. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White unpacks what grandparents and in-laws genuinely need to know before the baby arrives, cutting through outdated advice to share what the current evidence actually supports, what's changed, and what's genuinely worth doing differently. You might be pregnant or newly postpartum and quietly dreading the moment a well-meaning relative tells you how it used to be done. If you're the grandparent listening in, most of those moments come down to a gap in information that's easy to close. Start the conversation early, and you give your village the chance to actually hold you up, the way you deserve. You'll Hear About:
You don't have to manage anyone else's feelings while you're still learning your own baby. The right people in your life will meet you with curiosity instead of correction, and that's the kind of village worth building around yourself and your baby. Share this with the grandparent, aunty, or friend who wants to support you well, and with the parent who needs the words to start this conversation early. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Follow Renee on Instagram: fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 232. Anxious, Overwhelmed, Numb: The Mental Health Reality of IVF | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:55:04 | |
The mental and emotional weight of trying to conceive doesn't disappear once you're pregnant, or once the baby arrives. For many women, it quietly shapes everything that comes after. Sometimes the hardest part isn't the fertility treatment itself. It's carrying the aftermath of it into motherhood without anyone acknowledging that you went through something significant to get there. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Edna Lekgabe, certified perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist practising in Melbourne, to explore the mental health dimensions of the trying to conceive journey. They cover the difference between normal anxiety and clinical anxiety, how IVF trauma shows up in the body long after treatment ends, and why perinatal mental health challenges are never a personal failing. This is the final episode of the six-part Trying to Conceive series on The Science of Motherhood. In this episode, you'll hear about:
Your mental health through this journey is part of the journey. It deserves the same attention as everything else. There is support available, and you deserve to use it. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to The Science of Motherhood so you never miss an episode. Resources & Links Connect with Renee 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services: ifillyourcup.com 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Edna 📲 Connect with Dr Edna on Instagram: @drednalekgabe 🌐 Dr Edna Lekgabe's website: drednalekgabe.com.au 🌐 Wraparound mental health care for women and parents: warmhealthcollective.com.au This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart, and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 231. Trying to Conceive: What to Expect Emotionally and Physically | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:34:33 | |
The emotional side of a fertility journey is real, and it's the part that often goes unspoken. You can walk into treatment prepared with every medical question imaginable and still feel blindsided by the weight of the waiting, the uncertainty, and the grief that can come when things don't go to plan. That gap deserves more airtime than it gets. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Giselle Crawford, fertility specialist and gynaecologist with more than ten years of experience in obstetrics, gynaecology, and infertility care, to explore the emotional terrain of fertility treatment and what genuinely good care looks like from the inside. They cover everything from managing expectations through the IVF process, to navigating grief, supporting your relationship, and knowing when to pause. This episode is Part 5 of the Trying to Conceive series on The Science of Motherhood. You'll Hear About:
Having language for what you're going through makes it easier to carry. This episode gives you that, alongside the science to back it up. If someone you love is navigating fertility treatment right now, this is the episode to share with them. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links: 📲 Follow Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services: ifillyourcup.com 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🌐 Dr Giselle Crawford's website: www.drgisellecrawford.com.au This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart, and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 230. IVF, IUI, and Egg Freezing: A Guide to Trying to Conceive | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:40:42 | |
If you've been trying to conceive for a while, you've probably found yourself down a research rabbit hole at some point, reading forum threads at midnight and trying to decode acronyms you barely know. IVF, IUI, FSH, ICSI. The information is out there, but it doesn't always feel like it was written for you. Understanding the difference between your options, and knowing the right questions to ask, can make a conversation with a fertility specialist feel far less overwhelming. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Denise Nesbitt, obstetrician, gynaecologist, and fertility specialist at Hunter IVF, to unpack the key differences between IUI and IVF, including when each is recommended and what to actually expect from both processes. They explore sperm health, egg freezing, success rates, and what's really happening during the two-week wait. This episode is Part 4 of the Trying to Conceive series on The Science of Motherhood. You'll Hear About:
Starting this journey is brave. Having the right information means you can walk into that appointment knowing the right questions to ask, and feeling far less alone in the process. If you know someone who's navigating fertility treatment, share this episode with them. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Follow Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🔗 Learn more about Dr Denise Nesbitt and book an appointment at Hunter IVF 🔗 Your IVF Success — calculate your personalised IVF success rate using Australian data 🔗 Egg Freezing Australia — calculator to help you understand how many eggs you may need This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 229. Does Stress Affect Fertility? The Science Behind Your Hormones | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:22:34 | |
You've probably been told to "just relax" at some point on your fertility journey. Maybe by a friend, a family member, or even a health professional. And if you're anything like most people trying to conceive, you probably wanted to throw something at them. That advice isn't just unhelpful. It's both slightly right and completely missing the point. In this episode, Dr Renee White unpacks the real science behind stress, mindfulness, and fertility, cutting through the noise to tell you what the evidence actually supports, what it doesn't, and what's genuinely worth trying. This is part three of our six-part Trying to Conceive series. You'll Hear About:
The fertility journey asks so much of you. It can feel like your body is working against you, when the science tells a more nuanced story. Your nervous system and your reproductive system are in conversation, and understanding that relationship puts something real back in your hands. Share this episode with someone who's been told to "just relax" and deserves a better answer. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Follow Renee on Instagram: fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 228. What Should You Actually Do Before Trying to Conceive? | 25 May 2026 | 00:49:36 | |
Most of us weren't taught that what happens before conception matters. You were told to take a folate supplement, book in when you got a positive test, and go from there. But there's a window of time before you even start trying that can shape not just your pregnancy, but your child's long-term health. The science on preconception care has moved significantly, and most people still aren't hearing about it. This is Part 2 of our six-part Trying to Conceive series. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Eliza Hannam, GP, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and founder of Nurtured Medical, a specialised perinatal clinic in Sydney, to explore what genuinely evidence-informed preconception care looks like. Together they unpack what the periconception window actually means, what testing is available and when to seek it, and what both partners can do to optimise health before pregnancy begins. You'll Hear About:
The periconception window is a gift of time, and knowing how to use it well changes things. You don't need to be a biochemist to understand it. You just need the right conversation. If you know someone who's thinking about starting a family, share this one with them. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links: Connect with Dr Renee White: 📲 Follow Renee on Instagram: fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Dr Eliza Hannam: 🌐 Website — www.nurturedmedical.com.au perinatal GP clinic, Sydney Inner West (telehealth available Australia-wide) Follow Eliza on Instagram: @dr.eliza.hannam | @nurturedmedical Start the Trying to Conceive series from the beginning — head to Episode 227 on The Science of Motherhood feed. Mentioned in this episode:
This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 227. Fertility Preparation: What to Do Before You Try To Conceive | 18 May 2026 | 00:56:44 | |
Fertility preparation begins months, sometimes years, before you start trying to conceive. Knowing what to look for, and when, could change the entire shape of your conception journey. If you've ever wondered whether your body is actually ready for pregnancy, or whether there's something your results aren't telling you, this conversation will change how you think about your health. In this episode, Dr Renee White sits down with Megan Haralampou, degree-qualified Naturopath, Nutritionist, and Biomedical Science graduate, to unpack what a truly comprehensive pre-conception blood panel looks like and why the standard tests often aren't enough. Together they explore iron absorption, thyroid antibodies, cycle tracking, postpartum blood work, and how to read your results through an optimal lens. This is episode one of our six-part Trying to Conceive series. You'll Hear About:
Understanding your body before pregnancy, and after, is one of the most practical things you can do for your health. You deserve care that looks at the full picture, not just what fits inside a reference range. Share this episode with anyone who's thinking about trying to conceive and wants to go in prepared. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links Connect with Renee Follow Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Megan Website: thebiomedicalnaturopath.com.au 📲 Follow Megan on Instagram: @thebiomedicalnaturopath This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 226. Why Hyperemesis Gravidarum Is Genetic, Not Psychological | 11 May 2026 | 00:19:58 | |
Have you ever been so sick in pregnancy that you couldn't keep water down, lost weight, or ended up in hospital wondering how your body was supposed to sustain a baby when it couldn't sustain itself? If that's your story, or the story of someone you love, you've probably also been told at some point that it was stress, anxiety, or something you just needed to push through. It wasn't. And the science has finally caught up with what HG patients have been saying for decades. In this episode, Dr Renee White unpacks the genetic and hormonal research that proved once and for all that hyperemesis gravidarum isn't psychological. It lives in a gene, it runs through a receptor, and it has nothing to do with how much you wanted your pregnancy. You'll Hear About:
Your body wasn't failing you. It was responding to a hormonal contrast it hadn't been prepared for, and now researchers know exactly why. The science sees you, and it's moving fast. If someone in your life has been through HG, share this episode with them. It might be the first time the biology's been explained in a way that finally makes sense. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 225. Could Holistic Care Improve Fertility and Prevent PTSD? | 04 May 2026 | 01:06:29 | |
⚠️ Content note: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, suicide, and depression. If you've been through fertility treatment, you already know it's more than a medical process. It's months, sometimes years, of appointments and numbers and waiting, with very little space given to how you're actually doing. There's research showing that nearly 50% of people in fertility treatment develop PTSD, regardless of whether they get pregnant. Not because they're fragile. Because the system they're moving through wasn't built with their nervous system in mind. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Nicole Lange, a trauma-informed acupuncturist who has spent 20 years working exclusively at the intersection of women's reproductive health and trauma. They explore why stress matters more than we've been told, why it matters less than we've been blamed for, and what whole-person fertility care actually looks like in practice. You'll hear about:
You are not just a fertility outcome. And the care you receive shouldn't treat you like one. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone navigating their own fertility journey. And subscribe to The Science of Motherhood so you never miss an episode. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies Connect with Nicole Lange Nicole's website: www.lifehealinglife.com Follow Nicole on Instagram @notafixer Follow Nicole on YouTube @thebabyyouwant This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 224. Why Your Joints Feel Loose and Unstable Postpartum | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:09:48 | |
Does it feel like your body hasn't quite come back together yet after you've had your baby? That clicking, that instability, that sense that your hips or knees might give way. It's not in your head, and it's not a sign that something is wrong. So many mums are told that by six weeks, things should be settling. But if you're still breastfeeding and still feeling like your body doesn't quite belong to you yet, that timeline was never based on what your hormones are actually doing. In this episode, Dr Renee White unpacks why so many postpartum women feel structurally unsound for months after birth, and why the answer has everything to do with a hormone your body is still responding to, whether anyone told you that or not. You'll Hear About:
Your body isn't broken. It's doing something hormonally complex on a timeline that was never going to fit neatly into six weeks. The integrity will come back. It just takes longer than anyone tells you. If this episode helped something click for you, share it with a mum who's been told she should be fine by now. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 223. How OTs are helping Neurodivergent Mothers Navigate the System | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:54:51 | |
If you're neurodivergent, the maternity system wasn't built with your brain in mind. The appointments, the environments, the cognitive load of it all. Nobody tells you that's why it feels harder than it should. They just hand you the same pamphlet and send you on your way. That gap matters even more when you're navigating pregnancy, birth and early parenting. It's not just your body being stretched. It's every system you've built to keep yourself functioning. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Jennifer Curtis, registered occupational therapist and registered midwife, to explore what occupational therapy actually offers pregnant and postpartum women, and why that support is so often invisible. Together, they unpack the very real cost of a health system designed for neurotypical brains, and what it looks like when care is finally built around the whole person. This is the final episode of The Science of Motherhood's three-part autism series. If you missed Parts 1 and 2, head back to episodes 221 with Dr Abbey Love and 222 with Linda Hollenberg. You'll hear about:
If this conversation opened something up for you, share it with a mum or healthcare provider who needs to hear it. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🔗 Explore the Aspect New Parents Hub: Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub 🔗 Connect with Aspect on Instagram: @aspect_aus 🔗 Occupational Therapy Australia directory — find an OT near you: https://www.otaus.com.au 🔗 COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) service directory: https://www.cope.org.au 📚 Somatic Maternal Healing by Helena Vissing (Psychodynamic and Somatic Trauma Treatment for Perinatal Mental Health) 📚 Matrescence by Lucy Jones This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 222. Being an Autistic Mother: Pregnancy, Birth and the Postpartum Period | 13 Apr 2026 | 01:10:03 | |
Nobody tells you that the struggles so many neurodivergent women experience during pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood might be connected to how their brain is wired. Because so often, nobody knows. Not the healthcare providers, and not the mothers themselves. That missing language doesn't just delay a diagnosis. It delays understanding, support, and the ability to make sense of your own experience. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Linda Hollenberg, Autistic mother, research advisor, and learning coordinator and parent educator for Reframing Autism, to explore what pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood can look like through a neurodivergent lens. Together they unpack what it means to move through those seasons without the framework to name what you're experiencing, and what changes when you finally have it. This is Part 2 of The Science of Motherhood's three-part autism series. If you haven't listened to Part 1 with Dr Abbey Love yet, it's a great place to start. You'll hear about:
Understanding your own experience is one of the most grounding things you can do. This conversation is a step toward that, whether you have a diagnosis or not. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might finally find the words for something they've been carrying. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🔗 Explore the Aspect New Parents Hub: Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub 🔗 Connect with Aspect on Instagram: @aspect_aus This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 221. How the Maternity System Is Failing Autistic Women and What Needs to Change | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:50:52 | |
Most women who are autistic don't find out until they're sitting in a room watching their child get diagnosed. And then everything clicks. And yet most of them navigated pregnancy and early parenthood without any evidence-based support specific to their experience, often without even knowing why things felt so much harder. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Abbey Love, Educational Psychologist and Research Fellow at Autism Spectrum Australia, to explore the lived experiences of autistic parents through the perinatal period and the research that led to the creation of the Aspect New Parents Hub. Together they unpack what the evidence actually shows about pregnancy, sensory experience, healthcare barriers and what genuine support can look like. The hub was built on Australian research co-produced with autistic parents themselves, and what they found has real implications for every neurodivergent woman navigating this season. This is Part 1 of The Science of Motherhood's three-part autism series, stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 coming soon. You'll hear about:
You don't need a diagnosis to find something useful in this conversation. What Dr Abbey Love and her team found is that neurodivergent parents bring enormous strength and competence to this season, and the gap isn't in them, it's in the support around them. If this episode resonated, share it with someone who might need to hear it. And subscribe so you don't miss the next episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies About Dr Abbey Love and Aspect 🔗 Explore the Aspect New Parents Hub: Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub 🔗 Learn more about Dr Abbey Love and the Aspect research team: Aspect Research Team 🔗 Connect with Aspect on Instagram: @aspect_aus This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 220. Why Is My Hair Falling Out? The Science Behind Postpartum Hair Loss | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:11:05 | |
You survived birth, the sleepless nights and the newborn haze. And then somewhere around three or four months in, you reach up to wash your hair and pull your hand away covered in it. It's alarming, and for most of us, nobody warned us it was coming. This episode is for every mum who has stood over the shower drain wondering if something is seriously wrong. It isn't. But understanding the biology behind what's happening makes it so much easier to move through. This is part of The Science Behind series, where Dr Renee White takes your real questions and unpacks the science in a way that actually makes sense in real life. You'll hear about:
Your body isn't falling apart. It's recalibrating. The shedding you're experiencing is a sign of how extraordinary your hormonal landscape was during pregnancy, and your body is simply finding its way back. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. If this episode helped, share it with a mum friend who's standing over the shower drain wondering what on earth is happening. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 219. Why Does Breastfeeding Protect Against Breast Cancer? | 23 Mar 2026 | 00:34:05 | |
We've known for decades that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. What we've never fully understood is why. That question is what makes this research so significant. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Professor Sherene Loi, Medical Oncologist and Group Leader at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, to discuss a landmark paper published in Nature that identifies the immune mechanism behind that long-observed link. Together they explore how pregnancy and breastfeeding appear to reprogram the breast's immune environment in ways that can persist for years, and what that could mean for the future of breast cancer prevention. It turns out the body's been doing something extraordinary all along. Science is only now catching up to explain it. You'll hear about:
This research doesn't add pressure to the breastfeeding conversation. It adds meaning to it. If this episode resonated, share it with someone who'd want to understand the science behind their own body. And subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🔗 Learn more about Professor Sherene Loi and her lab here This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 218. Why Being Nap Trapped is So Beneficial | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:19:17 | |
If you've ever been nap trapped and spent the whole time quietly worrying that you're creating a dependency your baby will never grow out of, this one's for you. What's actually happening in your baby's brain while they sleep on your chest is one of the most compelling pieces of science in early infancy, and you deserve to know it. This episode is for every mum who has sat there convinced she should be doing something more productive, or that the way her baby sleeps is somehow a problem she created. Understanding the biology behind contact napping doesn't just answer the question. It changes how this whole season feels. This is part of The Science Behind series, where Dr Renee White takes the questions every mama is asking and unpacks the actual biology behind them. You'll hear about:
Contact napping isn't something you stumbled into by accident. It's one of the most neurologically productive things your baby can do, and your presence, even when it feels passive, is actively building their brain. You're not doing nothing. You're doing everything. If this episode gave you something to hold onto, share it with a mum who needs to hear it. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep217. What Does It Mean to Thrive, Not Just Cope, as a New Mum? | 09 Mar 2026 | 01:02:51 | |
Most conversations about maternal mental health start in the same place: the one in five women who experience postnatal depression or anxiety. But what about the other four in five? What are we doing to help them thrive? It is a question that stops you in your tracks, because most of us have never thought to ask it. In this episode Dr Renee White sits down with Lesley Pascuzzi, an Applied Psychologist and PhD candidate at Curtin University whose research focuses on optimising the mental health and emotional wellbeing of women on their journey to parenthood, to explore what it actually means to feel emotionally well, not just the absence of illness, but something richer and more personal than that. Together, they unpack why so many women struggle to define their own wellbeing, and what it would look like to change that. It turns out that when women are given the space to think about it, they know what they need. The challenge is creating the conditions for them to hear themselves. You'll hear about:
You already have more answers about what you need than you might realise. This conversation is an invitation to slow down, get quiet, and start listening for them. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🔗 Connect with Lesley Pascuzzi on LinkedIn Research mentioned in this episode Lesley Pascuzzi's research paper: Exploring emotional wellbeing in the perinatal period: A qualitative study in Australia Best Beginnings study — Hannah Dahlen and Hazel Keedle, Western Sydney University: linked here This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village. If this episode resonated, share it with someone who might need permission to think about their own wellbeing for a change. And subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 216. Why Hasn't My Milk Come In? The Science Behind Your Supply | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:15:56 | |
If you've just had your baby and your milk hasn't arrived yet, the first thing to know is that your body is not failing you. It's actually doing something remarkably complex behind the scenes, and most people, including most healthcare providers, never take the time to explain what that actually looks like. This episode is for every mum who has found herself Googling this question at 2am, wondering if something has gone wrong. It hasn't. But understanding the biology of what's happening can make all the difference in how you feel about it. This is the first episode of our brand new series, The Science Behind, where Dr Renee White takes your real questions and unpacks the science in a way that actually makes sense in real life. You'll Hear About:
What your body is doing right now is extraordinary. Coordinating multiple hormonal systems, responding to your baby's cues, producing something completely new, all while recovering from one of the most physically demanding experiences a human body goes through. The timing of your milk coming in is biology, not a measure of how well you're doing. If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And subscribe so you don't miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village, with doulas available across Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart and Perth. Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 215. Contraception After Birth: IUDs, Pills, Implants Explained | 23 Feb 2026 | 00:40:59 | |
Have you been to your six-week checkup and walked out with only a script for the pill? Or found yourself wondering what your actual options are now that you've had a baby? This week, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Natasha Vavrek, women's health GP and clinical director at The Bubble, to break down all the contraceptive options available after birth. Not just the pill. Everything. This conversation started from a real question from a listener who felt her options weren't fully discussed at her six-week check. So Natasha walks through what's actually available, how breastfeeding affects your choices, when timing matters and what you need to know to have an informed conversation with your GP. You'll hear about:
Whether you're heading into your six-week checkup, feeling unsure about what you're using or just wanting to understand your options, this episode gives you what you need to make informed choices that work for your body and your life. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 📲 Connect with Dr Natasha Vavrek and The Bubble on Instagram: @thebubbletasmania 🌐 Learn more about The Bubble and women's health services in Tasmania 🎧 If this episode helped you understand your options better, share it with a friend who might need it too. And if you haven't already, hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 214. Should Surrogates Be Paid? What Australia's Proposed Law Reforms Mean for Families | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:16:56 | |
Have you ever wondered why some Australian families travel overseas for surrogacy? Or been confused by headlines about proposed payments for surrogates and whether that crosses a line? Australia's surrogacy laws have been called "confusing, restrictive, and not fit for purpose." Now there's talk of reform, including monthly payments to surrogates. But it raises questions about whether we're finally acknowledging the labour involved, or creating new problems. In this episode, Dr Renee White explores Australia's proposed surrogacy law reforms and sits with some uncomfortable questions that don't have simple answers. Like whether it's more exploitative to pay someone for nine months of physical and emotional labour, or to expect them to do it for free while the doctors, lawyers and agencies all get paid. This isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating space to think about what fair support and real protection actually look like. You'll hear about:
Whether you've considered surrogacy, know someone who has, or you're just trying to understand this complex issue, this episode offers space to think critically about what we owe to surrogates, children and families navigating this path. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies ✨ This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village. If this episode sparked something for you, share it with someone who'd value the conversation. And don't forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 213. How breast milk can protect our babies against allergies | 09 Feb 2026 | 00:39:43 | |
You've heard breastfeeding protects against allergies and asthma. But have you ever wondered what's actually happening inside your baby's body to make that possible? It's one of those things people say all the time, but rarely explain. And when you're in the thick of feeding, you deserve more than soundbites. In this episode, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Toby Mansell, a researcher from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute here in Australia. His team studied nearly 900 babies from pregnancy through childhood, and what they found is genuinely fascinating. Together they talk about what happens at the molecular level when babies breastfeed, why certain fats in breast milk seem to reduce inflammation, and what this might mean for immune health down the track. It's science, yes. But it's also context. And hopefully, it helps things make a bit more sense. You'll hear about:
Whether you're breastfeeding, formula feeding, or somewhere in between, this episode helps you understand what's happening biologically. It's research-based clarity without pressure or judgment. Resources & Links: 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🔗 Connect with Dr Toby Mansell: Murdoch Children's Research Institute - Inflammatory Origins Group 🌐 Resources mentioned: This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia's first doula village. If this episode helped you feel more informed or less alone, share it with a mum who needs a steadier perspective. And don't forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 212. Returning to Work While Breastfeeding: A Guide for Mums Who Want to Keep Feeding | 02 Feb 2026 | 00:21:15 | |
If you’re staring at a breast pump late at night and wondering how this is meant to work once you’re back at work, you’re not alone. Returning to work while breastfeeding is one of the most common and least supported transitions in early motherhood. It’s practical, emotional and deeply personal. Many mums feel caught between feeding their baby, returning to their role at work and trying to hold onto a sense of themselves in the process. In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White offers a calm, evidence-informed conversation about what this transition really looks like. Not the Instagram version. The real one. With practical guidance, emotional reassurance and permission to do this in a way that works for you and your family. Renee explores the realities of combining breastfeeding and paid work, including the systemic gaps that make it harder than it needs to be. She shares practical strategies to prepare before you return, alongside gentle reminders that there is no single right way to feed or work. This episode is about clarity, choice and giving yourself room to adapt as your needs change. You’ll hear about:
Success isn’t about how long you breastfeed or how often you pump. It’s finding what works for your body, your baby, your work and your mind, and letting that be enough. You don’t have to nail it on day one. You’re allowed to tweak, change your mind and ask for support as you go. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies ✨ This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village. If this episode helped, share it with a mum who needs a break but doesn’t want the chaos. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. 💛 Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 211. Is Breastfeeding Feeling More Complicated Than You Expected? | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:54:53 | |
Breastfeeding is often spoken about as something that should feel natural, intuitive, and just click. But for many mums, the reality looks very different. Pain that doesn’t settle. A baby who feels tense, sleepy, or unsettled at the breast. And a quiet question running in the background, why is this so hard for us? In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Emily Jones, an Advanced Paediatric Osteopath, IBCLC Lactation Consultant, mother, and founder of Align & Nurture, to unpack what’s happening beneath the surface when feeding feels challenging, and why struggling does not mean you’re doing anything wrong. Together, they explore breastfeeding through both a physical and emotional lens, helping make sense of how birth experiences, body tension, positioning, and nervous system regulation can all shape early feeding journeys. You’ll hear about:
Breastfeeding challenges are rarely about effort. They’re often about your baby’s body, your recovery from birth, and the support around you. This episode gives you practical context for what might be going on, and what you can do next, without blame. Resources & Links: 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🔗 Learn more about Australian Breastfeeding Association https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/ 🔗 Connect with Emily and Align & Nurture Website: https://www.alignandnurture.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignandnurture This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village. If this episode helped, share it with a mum who needs a break but doesn’t want the chaos. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. 💛 Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 210. Postpartum Food Made Simple: What Your Body Really Needs | 19 Jan 2026 | 01:04:47 | |
Have you ever wondered why you’re still so hungry after having a baby, or why postpartum recovery feels heavier than you expected? For many mums, the early months after birth are a mix of healing, feeding, broken sleep and trying to make sense of advice that often feels confusing or contradictory. Especially when food and blood sugar have already felt closely monitored during pregnancy. This episode is part of The Science of Motherhood Summer Series, where Dr Renee White revisits some of your most listened to conversations, the ones that help you feel calmer, more informed, and less alone. In this replay, Renee is joined by Lily Nichols, a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, researcher and author, known for her evidence based approach to prenatal and postpartum nutrition. Together, they unpack what the research actually shows about postpartum nutrient needs, breastfeeding hunger, and recovery after gestational diabetes. It’s a steadying conversation that offers clarity without pressure, and context for why your body might be asking for more right now. You’ll hear about:
If postpartum nutrition or life after gestational diabetes has felt confusing, overwhelming, or loaded with pressure, this episode offers reassurance and evidence to help you breathe out. Links and Resources 📲 Want to chat more about this? Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Want to learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 If you want to gobble up our famous Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies, look no further! 📲 Follow Lily on Instagram: @lilynicholsrdn 🌐 Explore Lily’s work and resources: lilynicholsrdn.com 📘 Learn more about her bestselling book: realfoodforpregnancy.com 🎧 If this episode gave you a little more clarity or confidence, share it with a fellow mum or mama-to-be. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by the Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this podcast is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 209. The Baby Sleep Myths Mums Are Told (and What Science Actually Says) | 12 Jan 2026 | 01:29:21 | |
Have you ever wondered if you’re doing something wrong because your baby won’t sleep the way you were told they “should”? Because it’s not just the broken sleep. It’s the pressure. The timelines. The numbers. The feeling that everyone else has it figured out, and you somehow missed the memo. This episode is part of The Science of Motherhood Summer Series, where Dr Renee White revisits some of your favourite conversations, the ones that made you feel calmer, more informed, and less alone. In this replay, Renee is joined by Dr Laura Gainche Ph.D., a Family Sleep Educator with a background as a neuroscientist and sleep scientist. Through her Scienceforallwomen platform, Laura helps parents turn sleepless into more blissful nights using science and connection, and supports families to find their own unique way to parent at night. Together, Renee and Laura unpack how modern sleep expectations have been shaped, why the “12-hour night” has become such a powerful benchmark, and what the research actually shows about normal baby sleep. It’s a conversation that offers science, yes, but also permission to breathe out and stop treating night waking like a personal failure. Together they explore:
If baby sleep has been making you question yourself, this conversation is a steadying one. Share it with a parent who needs the reminder that they’re not broken, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next replay. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 📲 Connect with Dr Laura Gainche on Instagram: @scienceforallwomen This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional’s advice. | |||
| Ep 208. Breastfeeding Myths Busted: Feeding to Sleep, Milk Supply, and Returning to Work | 05 Jan 2026 | 01:04:26 | |
Have you ever googled something at 2am and walked away feeling more confused than before? Feeding and sleep advice can be loud, conflicting, and often loaded with unnecessary pressure, especially in the early weeks when you’re already tired and trying to figure everything out as you go. This episode is part of The Science of Motherhood Summer Series, where Dr Renee White revisits some of your favourite conversations, the ones that made you feel calmer, more informed, and less alone. In this replay, Renee chats with Melissa Hays, international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), holistic sleep coach, and former paediatric nurse and midwife, about the myths that cause the most stress for new mums. They talk about feeding to sleep, milk supply, breast size, contact sleep, and the belief that going back to work means breastfeeding has to end. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing it wrong because your baby feeds often, settles best close to you, or doesn’t fit the “should” advice you’ve heard, this episode brings things back to what’s normal and what’s actually supported by evidence. You’ll hear about:
If feeding or sleep has felt heavier than you expected, this one will help you breathe out. Share it with a mum who needs a steady voice, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next replay. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 📲 Connect with Melissa Hays on Instagram: @cocoonandcradle 🌐 Learn more about Melissa’s breastfeeding & sleep support services This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 207. Why You Feel Different After Having a Baby (Matrescence, Explained) | 29 Dec 2025 | 00:57:12 | |
Have you ever felt like becoming a mum changed more than your daily routine? Like it changed you? If you’ve felt a shift in your identity, confidence, or sense of self since having a baby, this episode will put words to it. This episode opens The Science of Motherhood Summer Series, where Dr Renee White revisits some of your favourite episodes, the ones that made you feel seen, understood, and less alone in your motherhood journey. In this replay, Renee sits down with Lucy Jones, science writer and author of Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood, to unpack the real transformation that happens in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Not just emotionally, but biologically and socially too. You’ll hear about:
If you’ve been thinking, “Why didn’t anyone tell me it could feel like this?”, you’re not alone. This episode gives you language, validation, and a way to make sense of what you’re experiencing. If it helped, share it with a mum who needs it, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next replay. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 📚 Lucy Jones’ book: Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood 🌐 Lucy’s website: https://lucyfjones.com/ 📲 Lucy on Instagram: @lucyfjones This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep206. Staycation Tips for Mums: Hotel Hacks, Packing Lists, and Nap-Friendly Plans | 22 Dec 2025 | 00:18:51 | |
Have you been scrolling past everyone’s overseas holiday photos and feeling that quiet pang of “we can’t afford that right now”? And even if a local getaway sounds doable, you might be thinking about the packing, the nap timing, the feeding stuff, the toddler meltdowns, and wondering if it’s even worth the effort. In this episode, Dr Renee White shares practical, mum-tested tips for planning a staycation that actually feels like a break. Not perfect. Not Instagrammable. Just genuinely restorative. Renee walks you through what to pack, what to skip, simple hotel hacks that make life easier, and one money-saving tip that could save your family hundreds on accommodation. Because sometimes the reset you need isn’t a week overseas. It’s a couple of nights close to home where someone else makes the bed and you don’t have to do the dishes. You’ll hear about:
If you’ve been craving a break but feeling like holidays are off the table, this episode will meet you right where you are. You don’t need to go far to feel the benefit. You just need a change of scenery, fewer jobs on your plate, and permission to keep it simple. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies ✨ This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village. If this episode helped, share it with a mum who needs a break but doesn’t want the chaos. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Science of Motherhood. 💛 Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 205. The Invisible Link Between Mum and Baby Brains | 15 Dec 2025 | 00:21:54 | |
Have you ever felt like your baby knows what you’re feeling before you even say a word? Maybe you’ve noticed them light up when you’re feeling calm and happy — or pull away a little when you’re flat or overwhelmed. These little moments often feel invisible, but they’re doing more than we think. In this episode, Dr Renee White explores new research on how a mother’s brain and her baby’s brain can literally sync up during moments of connection. Using a tool called dual EEG, researchers were able to capture real-time brain activity between mums and babies, showing that our emotional tone can directly influence how our brains work together. This isn’t about being “on” all the time. It’s about understanding why the moments where you feel most present with your baby matter so much. You’ll hear about:
What matters most is remembering that even on the tough days, your presence is powerful. You don’t have to perform. You don’t need to do more. You’re doing enough, and it’s making a difference. Resources & Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend or tag @fillyourcup_ on Instagram. And don’t forget to follow The Science of Motherhood so you never miss an episode. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 204. Why Women Feel Different About Their Career After Becoming a Mum | 08 Dec 2025 | 01:03:42 | |
Motherhood changes the way you see yourself, your work and what you’re capable of. And when everything feels unfamiliar, it can be hard to recognise the opportunities that come with those changes. In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Renee Barnes, People and Culture professional and Director of The People Paradox. After navigating her own identity shift in motherhood, Renee created The FOUND Program, supporting parents to feel more confident, capable and empowered in both work and home life. Together, they explore what happens to your identity, your strengths and your leadership when you become a parent, and how these shifts can open new possibilities you may not have noticed yet. You’ll hear about:
Motherhood doesn’t come with a map. If you’re feeling stretched, unsure or in transition, you’re not alone. This episode will help you understand what’s changing and how to move through it with more clarity and confidence. Resources and Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 🌐 Explore Renee Barnes’ work and The FOUND Program 📲 Connect with Renee Barnes on Instagram: @found_learningmotherhood 📲 The first 10 listeners to DM Renee Barnes will receive a 15% discount on stage 1 of the FOUND program. (Expires in 10 days 19 Dec 2025) If this episode helped you feel supported, share it with another parent who might need it. And make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the next episode of The Science of Motherhood. This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 203. How New Mums Can Make the Holiday Season Feel Less Overwhelming | 01 Dec 2025 | 00:15:50 | |
The holiday season can feel intense for many mums. The plans, the expectations, the drop-ins, the comments. It stacks up fast and makes it hard to tune into what you actually need. In this episode, Dr Renee White breaks down why setting boundaries can feel challenging in early motherhood and why guilt often shows up the moment you try to protect your time or space. She offers simple, supportive language that helps mums communicate their needs without feeling overwhelmed. These insights are practical, calm and designed to help you move through the season without feeling stretched thin. You’ll hear about:
What matters most is remembering that your needs count too. You’re allowed to set limits. You’re allowed to rest. And you don’t need to justify decisions that support your wellbeing. Resources and Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies This episode is proudly brought to you by Fill Your Cup. Head to our website to learn more about our birth and postpartum doula offerings. 🎧 If this episode gave you clarity or comfort, share it with a fellow mum who might need it too. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this podcast is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 202. How Does Baby Massage Support Your Baby’s Development? | 24 Nov 2025 | 00:45:51 | |
If you’ve ever looked at your baby and wondered how to feel more connected, you’re not alone. The early weeks can feel busy, emotional and a little uncertain. You’re feeding, settling, changing and doing your best, but sometimes it still feels like something is missing. And then you hear about baby massage. Some people say it’s essential. Others say it’s just a nice extra. It’s hard to know what’s real. In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Vicky O’Rourke, founder of Connect Baby, experienced occupational therapist and mum of three. Vicky blends 14 years of paediatric clinical experience with the gentle practice of infant massage, offering parents a simple, evidence-backed way to support their baby’s development while strengthening their bond. Vicky breaks down what baby massage actually is, what the research says, and why touch is one of the most powerful tools you already have. Renee and Vicky talk through what matters, what parents often misunderstand, and how you can build more confidence in the early weeks with small, simple moments. You’ll hear about:
You’re allowed to slow down, follow your baby’s lead and use touch as a way to reconnect when everything feels overwhelming. This episode will give you grounded, evidence based guidance so you can feel clearer and more confident moving forward. Resources and Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 📘 Connect with Vicky O’Rourke: Website: www.connectbaby.com.au Instagram: @connectbaby__ ✨ This episode is proudly brought to you by Fill Your Cup. Head to our website to learn more about our birth and postpartum doula offerings. If this episode helped you feel more supported, share it with a friend who needs it. And hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode of The Science of Motherhood. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||
| Ep 201. VBAC Explained: What Every Mum Needs to Know with Dr Hazel Keedle | 17 Nov 2025 | 00:49:12 | |
If you’ve had a caesarean before, you’ve probably been given a whole mix of advice about what to do next time. Some people warn you off VBAC. Others tell you to go for it. And then there’s you, stuck in the middle, trying to make sense of it all. In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White chats with Dr Hazel Keedle, one of Australia’s leading VBAC researchers and a Senior Lecturer of Midwifery at Western Sydney University. Hazel has spent decades listening to women, studying their stories, and breaking down what truly supports a positive birth after caesarean. She’s down to earth, easy to listen to, and offers the kind of straight-up clarity mums are craving. Renee and Hazel talk through what actually matters, what’s outdated, and how you can feel more confident in your choices moving forward. You’ll hear about:
You’re allowed to slow down, ask questions, and choose the care that feels right for you. VBAC isn’t about proving anything. It’s about feeling informed, backed, and respected. This episode will give you that grounding so you can move forward with more clarity and less noise. Resources and Links 📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_ 🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services 🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies 📲 Connect with Dr Hazel Keedle Website: https://hazelkeedle.com Instagram: @hazelkeedle Hazel’s book The Clinician's Guide to Better Birth After Cesarean is available through Amazon and major online retailers. If this episode helped you feel a bit clearer or more supported, pass it on to another mum who’s weighing up her options too. And hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode of The Science of Motherhood. Disclaimer The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. | |||