The Science of Motherhood

Dr Renee White
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. Ep 232. Anxious, Overwhelmed, Numb: The Mental Health Reality of IVF

    3d ago

    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 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: Why what you're feeling is a nervous system response, not a character flawHow to recognise when anxiety has moved from visitor to renovationWhat IVF trauma looks like in the body and why it often goes unidentifiedHow medication decisions are made with a risk-versus-risk frameworkWhy reaching out early makes a difference 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.

    55 min
  2. Ep 231. Trying to Conceive: What to Expect Emotionally and Physically

    Jun 15

    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 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: Why emotional preparation matters as much as medical readinessHow to understand the concept of attrition in IVFWhat stress actually does (and doesn't) do to fertility outcomesHow partners can move from spectator to co-pilotWhy stopping treatment isn't giving up 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.

    35 min
  3. Ep 230. IVF, IUI, and Egg Freezing: A Guide to Trying to Conceive

    Jun 8

    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, 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: How doctors decide between IUI and IVFWhat actually happens during each fertility cycleWhy sperm health matters more than most people realiseWhat success rates mean and what influences themHow to emotionally prepare for the two-week wait 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.

    41 min
  4. Ep 229. Does Stress Affect Fertility? The Science Behind Your Hormones

    Jun 1

    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 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: Why stress and reproduction are biologically competing systemsHow chronic stress disrupts your cycle and hormonesWhat mindfulness reliably improves (and what it doesn't)Why pregnancy rate claims need more evidence behind themFive evidence-backed practices worth integrating now 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.

    23 min
  5. Ep 228. What Should You Actually Do Before Trying to Conceive?

    May 25

    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 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: Why preconception health affects your child's long-term metabolic healthWhat a thorough preconception GP appointment coversWhich supplements and nutrients matter most before conceptionHow to read your cycle beyond what any app can tell youWhen to seek fertility support without waiting 12 months 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: Mackenzie's Mission — government-funded carrier screening for cystic fibrosis, fragile X, and spinal muscular atrophyMothersafe — free medication helpline, NSWIn the Flow by Alisa Vitti 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.

    50 min
  6. Ep 227. Fertility Preparation: What to Do Before You Try To Conceive

    May 18

    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, 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: Why "normal" blood results can miss a fertility concernWhat a complete iron picture actually looks likeHow to track your cycle beyond a period tracking appWhen to get blood tests done after having a babyWhat postpartum thyroiditis has to do with depression 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.

    57 min
  7. Ep 226. Why Hyperemesis Gravidarum Is Genetic, Not Psychological

    May 11

    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 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: Why HG is a distinct condition from morning sicknessHow a placental hormone called GDF15 drives severe nauseaWhy your baseline levels before pregnancy predict your riskWhat the beta thalassemia finding revealed about sensitivityHow pre-pregnancy desensitisation could prevent HG entirely 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.

    20 min
  8. Ep 225. Could Holistic Care Improve Fertility and Prevent PTSD?

    May 4

    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 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: Why the stress of trying to conceive is on par with a cancer diagnosisHow chronic stress affects every system involved in fertilityWhat the 25/75 framework is and how it changes outcomesHow acupuncture supports circulation, immunity, and nervous system regulationWhy whole-person fertility care is the most evidence-based option available 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.

    1h 6m
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Renee White
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    229
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 The Science of Motherhood
  • Show Website
    The Science of Motherhood

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