The Science of Motherhood
Knowledge is power and we are all about empowering the mothers of the world! In each episode we will unravel and interpret the latest research and evidence-based practices for pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood.
Episodes
Ep 248. Kind Words That Hurt After a Miscarriage and What to Say
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 carr
Ep 247. The Type A Mama's Guide to Preparing for Motherhood
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
Ep 246. What Every Dog Owner Needs to Do Before Baby Comes Home
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 instinc
Ep 245. Preparing Your Toddler Before Baby Comes Home
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 transiti
Ep 244. Breast Pumping Explained: What No One Tells You
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
Ep 243. What Does a Birth Doula Actually Do?
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 th
Ep 242. Pregnancy Myths Debunked: What's Actually True
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
Ep 241. Birth Trauma Explained: Signs, Causes and Healing
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 w
Ep 240. Birthing on Country: What Culturally Safe Care Looks Like
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 Gumbayn
Ep 239. Birth Centres Explained: Is One Right for You?
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
Ep 238. What to Expect From Private Midwifery Care on Day One
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 si
Ep 237. Pregnancy Rewires Your Brain. Here's What You Gain
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 somethin
Ep 236. What Your Child's Brain Is Doing Mid-Meltdown
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 Moth
Ep 235. Does Fibre Affect Your Fertility? New Research Explained
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 epi
Ep 234. Why Doesn't My Midwife Ask About My Mental Health?
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 l
Ep 233. Navigating Grandparents Without Losing Your Mind
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
Ep 232. Anxious, Overwhelmed, Numb: The Mental Health Reality of IVF
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 o
Ep 231. Trying to Conceive: What to Expect Emotionally and Physically
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
Ep 230. IVF, IUI, and Egg Freezing: A Guide to Trying to Conceive
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, c
Ep 229. Does Stress Affect Fertility? The Science Behind Your Hormones
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 sc
Ep 228. What Should You Actually Do Before Trying to Conceive?
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 a
Ep 227. Fertility Preparation: What to Do Before You Try To Conceive
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,
Ep 226. Why Hyperemesis Gravidarum Is Genetic, Not Psychological
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 scienc
Ep 225. Could Holistic Care Improve Fertility and Prevent PTSD?
⚠️ 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
Ep 224. Why Your Joints Feel Loose and Unstable Postpartum
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 t
Ep 223. How OTs are helping Neurodivergent Mothers Navigate the System
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
Ep 222. Being an Autistic Mother: Pregnancy, Birth and the Postpartum Period
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 experie
Ep 221. How the Maternity System Is Failing Autistic Women and What Needs to Change
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 D
Ep 220. Why Is My Hair Falling Out? The Science Behind Postpartum Hair Loss
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 be
Ep 219. Why Does Breastfeeding Protect Against Breast Cancer?
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
Ep 218. Why Being Nap Trapped is So Beneficial
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 shoul
Ep217. What Does It Mean to Thrive, Not Just Cope, as a New Mum?
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 Psychologi
Ep 216. Why Hasn't My Milk Come In? The Science Behind Your Supply
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
Ep 215. Contraception After Birth: IUDs, Pills, Implants Explained
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
Ep 214. Should Surrogates Be Paid? What Australia's Proposed Law Reforms Mean for Families
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
Ep 213. How breast milk can protect our babies against allergies
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 Murdo
Ep 212. Returning to Work While Breastfeeding: A Guide for Mums Who Want to Keep Feeding
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 ont
Ep 211. Is Breastfeeding Feeling More Complicated Than You Expected?
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 Jon
Ep 210. Postpartum Food Made Simple: What Your Body Really Needs
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
Ep 209. The Baby Sleep Myths Mums Are Told (and What Science Actually Says)
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 fa
Ep 208. Breastfeeding Myths Busted: Feeding to Sleep, Milk Supply, and Returning to Work
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 favour
Ep 207. Why You Feel Different After Having a Baby (Matrescence, Explained)
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
Ep206. Staycation Tips for Mums: Hotel Hacks, Packing Lists, and Nap-Friendly Plans
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 stayc
Ep 205. The Invisible Link Between Mum and Baby Brains
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 lit
Ep 204. Why Women Feel Different About Their Career After Becoming a Mum
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
Ep 203. How New Mums Can Make the Holiday Season Feel Less Overwhelming
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 lan
Ep 202. How Does Baby Massage Support Your Baby’s Development?
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
Ep 201. VBAC Explained: What Every Mum Needs to Know with Dr Hazel Keedle
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 L
Ep 200. What 200 Episodes Have Taught Me About Motherhood (and Myself)
Have you ever thought, “If only I’d known then what I know now?”You’re not alone.In this milestone episode, Dr Renee White reflects on the biggest lessons she’s learned from the last 100 conversations on The Science of Motherhood from researchers and clinicians to doulas and mums who’ve shared their lived wisdom. With honesty and heart, Renee opens up about what she’d do differently if she could e
Ep 199. Are We Running Out of Time? The Truth About Fertility Decline
Have you ever caught yourself wondering if time’s slipping away to start or grow your family? Maybe you’ve been trying for months and it’s starting to feel heavy, or maybe you’re in your 20s or 30s thinking there’s plenty of time to figure it out.In this week’s episode of Dr Renee White sits down for a heart-to-heart about something that affects more families than we realise… fertility. With World
Ep 198. Catching It Early: How to Protect Your Mental Health in Motherhood
When you’re deep in early motherhood, it’s easy to think you’re just tired or that others have it worse. But what if asking for help early could change everything for you and your baby?In this week’s episode Dr Renee White speaks with Julie Borninkhof, CEO of PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) and Clinical Psychologist. Julie has spent years supporting Australian families through
Ep 197. Folic Acid and Pregnancy: Could Too Much Be Causing Gestational Diabetes?
For years, mums have been told to take folic acid to support their baby’s development. It’s been one of public health’s biggest success stories, helping prevent serious birth defects. But new research suggests there might be more to the picture.In this episode, Dr Renee White explores an Australian study that questions whether excess folic acid could be contributing to rising rates of gestational
Ep 196. How to Support Yourself or Someone You Love After Pregnancy Loss
Have you ever felt like you were supposed to just move on after pregnancy loss?So many mums are told to “be grateful”, to stay positive, or to focus on the next step. But grief doesn’t follow a tidy timeline. It lingers, it reshapes us, and it deserves space to be felt.In this heartfelt conversation, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Bianca Mastromanno, a Clinical Psychologist who has dedicated her
Ep 195. Why Understanding Autism in Motherhood Matters More Than Ever
Motherhood is already a sensory overload at the best of times. But for autistic women, pregnancy, birth and early motherhood can be an entirely different experience that’s often overlooked and misunderstood.In this week’s episode, Dr Renee White explores a powerful literature review uncovering what’s really happening when autistic women become mothers. From diagnostic bias to sensory overwhelm and
Ep 194. Pregnancy After 35: What Every Mum Needs to Know About Fertility and Birth
Many women are starting families later in life, and for some, that means turning to IVF. But what’s fact, what’s myth, and what really matters when you’re navigating fertility in your late 30s or 40s?In this episode, Dr Renee White speaks with Dr Kellie Tathem, a Fertility Specialist, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at Queensland Fertility Group. Kellie has a special interest in endometriosis, pelv
Ep 193. Can Mastitis Be Predicted Before It Happens?
If you’ve ever experienced sudden breast pain, fever, or flu-like chills while breastfeeding, you’ll know just how quickly mastitis can take hold. For many mums, it’s the first real crisis in their breastfeeding journey, painful, overwhelming, and sometimes serious enough to land them in hospital.But what if there was a way to predict mastitis before it happened?In this Check In Tuesday episode, D
Ep 192. Why Baby Sleep Advice Often Fails Mums (and What the Research Really Says)
If you’ve ever been told your baby is “broken” because they don’t sleep through the night, you’re not alone. So many mums feel pressured by rigid schedules, conflicting advice, and the constant comparison game. But here’s the truth: babies aren’t meant to sleep like adults, and understanding their natural biology can make a world of difference for both you and your little one.In this episode, Dr R
Ep 191. PCOS and Epigenetics: Could This Be the Missing Puzzle Piece?
Living with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) can feel overwhelming. Irregular cycles, difficulty conceiving, weight changes and the constant frustration of not having clear answers are a reality for up to one in ten women worldwide. For years, researchers have known PCOS runs in families, but the genetic explanation has never quite fit. Until now.In this episode Dr Renee White explores groundbreak
Ep 190. The Gut–Brain Connection Every Mum Should Know About
Your gut and your brain talk more than you realise and it could shape your postpartum mental health.Postpartum can be both beautiful and overwhelming. While many mums expect sleepless nights and endless nappies, few are prepared for how much their mental health can be affected. Research is now showing that what we eat plays a role in how we feel, and that’s where today’s conversation begins.In thi
Ep 189. What Every Mum Should Know About Creatine, Hormones, and Recovery
Motherhood takes it out of you. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. And if you’ve ever felt like your energy’s been zapped or your brain’s running on 1%, you’re not imagining it and you’re definitely not alone.In this episode, Dr Renee White takes you on a deep dive into a surprising topic: creatine supplementation for women’s health. That little white powder you’ve seen on gym shelves? It turns ou
Ep 188. How to Manage Screen Time and Protect Your Child’s Mental Health
Screens are part of everyday life, but knowing how to manage them while protecting our kids’ mental health can feel like a constant challenge.In this episode, Dr Renee White sits down with Professor Selena Bartlett, a neuroscientist, author, and mum who’s dedicated her career to making brain science practical for everyday families. Drawing on decades of research into neuroplasticity, stress, and m
Ep 187. How to Tackle Picky Eating and Get Kids Excited in the Kitchen
Motherhood is a constant dance between caring for our little people, managing work, and trying to carve out moments for ourselves. Some days it feels like a juggling act, other days more like a seesaw, tipping one way or the other. And when it comes to feeding our families, the pressure can feel even bigger, especially if you’ve got a picky eater or two at the table.In this episode, Dr Renee White
Ep 186. Trying, Failing, and Mum Hacks That Actually Work with Victoria Vanstone
If you’ve ever found yourself rage-walking through the neighbourhood, shouting into the void of motherhood, or quietly fantasising about a solo trip to Italy (just for a little peace and quiet), then today’s episode is for you.In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White chats with author, podcast host, and reformed party girl Victoria Vanstone about the beautifully messy journey
Ep 185. Planned Induction at 39 Weeks: What the New Research Says
When you’re weighing up birth decisions, it can feel like there’s a mountain of opinions and not enough clarity. One recent study stirred up a lot of conversation online and for good reason. It looked at whether planned deliveries at 39 weeks (like inductions or scheduled caesareans) could be safer than waiting for spontaneous labour.In this Check In Tuesday episode, Dr Renee White walks you throu
Ep 184. Pregnancy Food Made Simple: What Your Body Really Needs
When it comes to pregnancy nutrition, most mums are handed the same tired checklist of what not to eat. But what about what your body actually needs?In this episode, Dr Renee White is joined by Lily Nichols, a registered dietitian, diabetes educator, and bestselling author of Real Food for Pregnancy. Together, they explore the real story behind prenatal nutrition, busting common myths and diving i
Ep 183. Anxiety in Motherhood: A Real Story and What Can Help
We hear a lot about postnatal depression, but anxiety in motherhood? Not so much. And yet, it's something so many mums face quietly.In this episode, Dr Renee White opens up about her personal experience with postpartum anxiety. From sleepless nights and constant worry to the moment she realised something wasn’t right, Renee shares how this chapter shaped her journey as a mum and the founder of Fil
Ep 182. How to Support Dads in Postpartum: Tools for Connection and Confidence
When it comes to preparing for postpartum, the spotlight often falls on the mum, as it should. But what about dads?In this episode, Dr Renee White chats with Jason Seeman, fatherhood guide and founder of Raising Fathers, about how we can better prepare and support men through the transition into fatherhood. With a background in rites of passage, community leadership and over a decade of experience
Ep 181. New Miscarriage Guidelines in Australia: What Every Mum Should Know
Miscarriage affects one in four pregnancies, yet many mums are left with little support or clarity around what comes next.In this Check-In Tuesday episode, Dr Renee White unpacks the newly released national guidelines for miscarriage and early pregnancy loss in Australia. Developed by RANZCOG, these are the first of their kind and aim to bring consistency and compassion to miscarriage care.Renee w
Ep 180. Baby Sign Language in Australia: A Simple Tool To Empower Your toddler
Ever looked at your baby mid-meltdown and thought, “If only you could tell me what you need?” You’re not alone.In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White speaks with Megan Mahon, an early childhood intervention teacher, Auslan interpreter and founder of Baby Sign. More importantly, she’s a mum of two who knows what it’s like to want more connection, more calm and fewer com
Ep 179 - What Every Mum Needs to Know: Highlights from The Complete Guide to Postpartum
If you've ever felt like the postpartum experience caught you off guard, you're not alone. So many new mothers are left wondering, “Why didn’t anyone tell me it would be like this?”In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White is joined by bestselling author, postpartum doula and mother of four, Jodi Wilson. Known for her honest, poetic reflections on motherhood, Jodi returns with h
Ep 178. Dr Ariella Heffernan-Marks - Women's Health + AI - OVUM technology
Navigating the healthcare system can feel overwhelming and, at times, defeating. For many women, it means being dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told their symptoms are just “part of being a woman.” But what if there was a better way forward?In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White speaks with Dr Ariella Heffernan-Marks, medical doctor and founder of Ovum. Ariella is on a mis
Ep 177. Check In Tuesday - Doulas - The New Gold Standard for Maternity Continuity of Care
If you’ve ever wondered why birth support feels like a patchwork, with a different midwife at every appointment and no one on the same page, this episode is for you. It’s time we talk about why doulas are the missing piece in Australian maternity care and why every mother deserves more than just check-ups and rushed visits.In this episode, Dr. Renee White unpacks the research, the numbers, and the
Ep 176. Hailey Bartholomew - The Art of Parenting - Being Present
What if being a good parent isn’t about doing more, but simply being present? In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White sits down with award-winning filmmaker Hailey Bartholomew to explore what it really means to show up for our kids and ourselves.Hailey’s latest documentary, Seen, is a heartfelt reflection on parenting, presence and the stories we carry from our own chi
Ep. 175 Check in Tuesday - A New Mums Guide to Finding Your Village
We hear it all the time “It takes a village to raise a child” but what happens when that village is nowhere to be found? What if your friends are too busy, your family is far away, or the support you thought you'd have just isn’t showing up?In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White responds to a listener who asked a very real, very relatable question, “How do I build a village
Ep. 174 Fleur Chambers - How to Feel Confident in Motherhood
Motherhood can shake your sense of self like nothing else. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or just feeling like you're not doing enough, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, soften, and reconnect with what confidence can truly feel like. Think steady, spacious and grounded in who you already are.In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee
Ep. 173 Check In Tuesday - What does Postpartum Care look like for First Time Parents
If you’re expecting your first baby and feeling unsure about what kind of support you’ll actually need after birth, this episode is the gentle guide you’ve been looking for. You might have a loving partner, a helpful family, and a stack of baby books on the go… but still find yourself wondering, what's normal? Is this okay? Why didn’t anyone tell me about this part?In this week’s episode of The Sc
Ep. 172 Dr Kokum Jayasinghe - How Endometriosis Effects Fertility and What You Can Do?
If you’ve ever been told that painful periods are just something you have to put up with, or you’ve found yourself spiralling down a Google rabbit hole trying to work out how endometriosis might affect your chances of falling pregnant… this one’s for you.In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Kokum Jayasinghe, a highly awarded fertility specialist at Melbour
Ep 171 Podcast Take-over - Not Another Onesie - Discussing Matrescence and Changes in Self-identity
We’re mixing things up this week with a special podcast take-over. Dr. Renee White steps into the guest seat in a heartfelt episode originally recorded for the Not Another Onesie miniseries. This conversation is one every mum needs to hear.Renee joins Louise and Elisha, the co-founders of Not Another Onesie, for an honest and deeply personal chat about matrescence, identity shifts, and what really
Ep 170. Oceane Campbell - Maternity System Crisis
If you've ever wondered what it's really like to walk beside women through birth, to witness transformation in its rawest, most powerful form, then you're going to love this chat. It's for the mums who’ve felt unsure of their birth choices, those curious about home birth, or anyone who’s ever questioned the systems that hold us during pregnancy and labour.In this episode, Dr. Renee White sits down
Ep. 169 Check In Tuesday - I had a C-Section, here are the things I wouldn't do.
If you've had a caesarean birth or think you might, you’ll know just how much there is to think about, prepare for, and recover from. And let’s be honest, mama... it’s often not talked about in the same empowering way as other births. But knowledge is power, and this episode is here to give you just that.In this personal solo episode, Dr. Renee White shares what she’d do differently if she had ano
