Knowledge is power. Our aim is to unravel and interpret the latest research and evidence-based practices for pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood. As mums and researchers ourselves, we have experienced first-hand the overwhelming complexity of information, myths and old-wives tales. Even worse, 'advice' is being given to mums without the proper context or knowledge of their individual needs. So tune in to hear us ask experts, researchers and specialists about all things mother care, pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
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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 in men’s wellbeing, Jason brings practical tools to help partners feel confident, connected and ready for the realities of new parenthood.
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 communication breakdowns with your little one.
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 her latest book co-authored by Sophie Walker (Australian Birth Stories), The Complete Guide to Postpartum, a practical, grounded and deeply reassuring resource for new mums, partners and support teams.
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 childhoods. With powerful insights from voices like Maggie Dent, Lael Stone, Nathan Wallis, Vanessa Lapointe, Selena Bartlett and Billy Garvey, the film invites us to rethink how we connect with our children and what they actually need from us.
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 when I can’t rely on anyone around me?”
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 White chats with Fleur Chambers, internationally recognised mindfulness teacher, founder of The Happy Habit meditation app, and author of the new book Wholehearted Confidence. Fleur shares her wisdom on redefining confidence in a way that works for real mums in the real world.
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 Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White chats all about what postpartum care really looks like for first-time parents. She unpacks the role of a postpartum doula, what support can look and feel like in those hazy early days, and why this kind of care is not just a ‘nice to have’, it’s necessary.
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 Melbourne IVF who brings both deep clinical expertise and lived experience to the conversation. With over a decade of experience in reproductive medicine, plus her own personal fertility journey, Dr Kokum truly gets it.
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 happens when you become a mother. Together, they explore the science behind the emotional and psychological changes, along with real-life insights from Renee’s own journey and the many women she supports through her doula work.
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 another caesarean birth. Renee reflects on her own experience with an elective c-section and offers insight into what can really help you feel informed, confident and cared for before, during and after surgery.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I really need a doula?” you’re not alone, mama. So many of us hear the word and think it’s just for a certain “type” of parent. But the truth is, a doula can offer the kind of steady, nurturing support that makes a huge difference during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
In this episode, Dr. Renee White walks us through the four types of people who benefit the most from having a doula by their side. Whether you’re a first-time mum, juggling multiple kids, navigating mental health challenges, or running a small business while caring for a newborn, this one’s for you.
⚠️ Content Warning: This episode discusses postnatal depression, anxiety, and psychosis from a mother’s perspective. If you’re not feeling up to it today, consider pausing and coming back when you feel ready. If you need support, the PANDA National Helpline is available on 1300 726 306 (Monday to Saturday, Australia-wide). Please take care of yourself. 💛
In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White sits down with Dr. Siobhan Kennedy-Costantini, a child developmental psychologist and passionate advocate for maternal mental health. Siobhan shares her deeply personal experience with postnatal depression, anxiety, and psychosis, shedding light on what it is really like to navigate these challenges while caring for a newborn.
Returning to work while still breastfeeding? You’re not alone mama, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
This transition can feel overwhelming, from wondering how you’ll pump at work, to whether your baby will take a bottle, to managing the emotions of this next chapter. But with the right support, strategies, and mindset, you can make it work in a way that suits you and your family.
Trying to conceive can be an emotional roller coaster. From tracking cycles to navigating fertility treatments, the whole process can feel overwhelming, especially when you're bombarded with advice, acronyms, and uncertainty. If you've ever wished for a clear, no-stress guide to fertility, this episode is for you.
This week, Dr. Renee White sits down with Dr. Cheryl Phua, a fertility specialist at IVF Australia, to break it all down in a way that makes sense. They chat about when to seek fertility support, what treatments like IUI, IVF, and ICSI actually involve, and how to take control of your reproductive health, without the confusion or pressure.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in the kitchen or wondered how to balance feeding your family with the chaos of everyday life, this episode is for you!
In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White is joined by the incredible Justine Schofield, MasterChef alum and author of Cook Ahead. Together, they dive into the world of family meals, freezer-friendly recipes, and the real-life journey of cooking while juggling motherhood.
