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
- Why the nesting instinct myth doesn't hold up
- What the 12 week rule was really protecting
- How to respond when unsolicited advice keeps coming
- Why gender disappointment is often grief in disguise
- How to build confidence to do pregnancy differently
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:
🌐 motherhoodmyths.com.au
🌐 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.
