The Science of Motherhood

• 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 communication breakdowns with your little one.Together, they chat about how baby sign language can ease frustration, support speech and give you a simple, gentle way to bond with your bub even before the words come.This isn’t about perfection or doing all the things. It’s about giving mums practical tools that actually help in those real-life moments – the ones with crumbs on the floor and a toddler on your hip.You’ll hear about:What baby sign language actually is, and why it’s easier than you thinkWhen and how to start using signs with your baby or toddlerWhy signing doesn’t delay speech (in fact, it can support it)The signs Megan recommends starting with no overwhelm, just simple winsHow signing can bring more calm and confidence to your dayResources and Links📲 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🌐 Want to grab our free Quickie Postpartum Planning Guide🍪If you want to gobble up our famous Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies, look no further!💬 Want to learn more about Megan’s work? Visit www.babysign.com.auFollow Megan on Instagram: @babysignau🎧 Loved this episode?Share it with a fellow mum, send it to your mothers’ group or tag us with your favourite takeaway. And if you haven’t already, tap subscribe so you never miss a chat that helps you feel a little more supported and a lot less alone.Because every mum deserves to feel heard even before her baby can say a word. 💛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.

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• 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 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.Together, Renee and Jodi unpack the common myths and mental load of the early weeks, what’s “normal and expected,” and why support, not perfection, is the real goal. With gentle wisdom and lived experience, Jodi offers insight into sleep, feeding, mood shifts and the complex identity changes that come with becoming a mother.Whether you're preparing for your first baby or navigating the newborn fog once again, this episode is filled with warmth, honesty and the kind of support every mum deserves.You’ll hear about:Why postpartum isn’t just a phase to survive, but a life-changing transitionThe difference between baby blues, postpartum anxiety and psychosisWhat science and evolutionary biology tell us about infant sleep and feedingWhy mothers need informed, kind and realistic careThe value of saying “you’re doing enough” and actually meaning itResources and Links:📲 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!📚 The Complete Guide to Postpartum by Sophie Walker and Jodi Wilson will be released in Australia, July 1, UK, July 3 and US, July 6. Pre-order your copy now: Amazon and Booktopia📝 Subscribe to Jodi’s newsletters:Practising SimplicityDear New Mum📲 Follow Jodi on Instagram: @practisingsimplicity🎧 Loved this episode? Share it with a mum who’s in the thick of the early days or someone who’s preparing to support one. Subscribe, leave a review and help more women find the support they deserve.Because every mum deserves to feel seen, supported and safe. Not just in birth, but every day after. 💛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.

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• 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 mission to revolutionise the way women experience healthcare by building an intelligent, integrated platform that helps women track, understand, and advocate for their health across their whole lifespan.From her time working in hospitals to launching a tech company designed to close the gender health gap, Ariella shares the personal and professional journey that led to Ovum and why this kind of innovation is urgently needed.You’ll hear about:Why Ariella stepped away from clinical practice to build a tool women actually needHow Ovum is using AI to personalise women’s health data and decision-makingThe invisible bias baked into traditional health systems and how to challenge itWhy health education and early intervention are game-changers for better outcomesWhat’s next for Ovum and the wider femtech movement in AustraliaThis episode is a powerful reminder that women’s health deserves more than band-aid solutions. It deserves innovation, evidence, and a whole lot of heart.Resources and Links:📲 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!🔗 Learn more about Ovum and sign up for early access: askovum.com/💼 Connect with Ovum on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ovumai🎧 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend, colleague or fellow mum who’s ready to take charge of her health. And if you haven’t already, hit subscribe and leave a review — your support helps this conversation reach more women who need to hear it.Because when women are equipped with knowledge, they become unstoppable. 💛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.

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• 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 real stories behind birth and postpartum care in Australia. She shares why doulas are not a luxury, but a vital part of a mother’s village, offering the steady, nurturing support that every family deserves.If you’re an expecting parent, a birth worker, or just curious about how we can do better for mums, this episode is for you.You’ll hear about:The gaps in Australian maternity care and why they matterHow doula support helps mums feel safer, calmer, and more confidentThe four key elements every mum needs to thriveHow the Fill Your Cup Doula Village is leading change across AustraliaA hopeful vision for the future of birth and postpartum careThis episode is a gentle nudge that you’re not meant to do this alone. Every mum deserves to feel seen, supported, and held through the journey of motherhood.Resources and Links:📲 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!🔔 Ths episode is proudly supported by PANDA – Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia.If you’re pregnant or have a new baby and not feeling like yourself, PANDA offers free counselling and support. You can call 1300 726 306 (Monday to Saturday) or visit panda.org.au for information, resources, and support. You don’t have to wait until things feel really hard. PANDA is here to help you feel strong, supported, and heard.🎧 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who is preparing for birth or tag @fillyourcup_ with your favourite takeaway. If you haven’t already, subscribe and leave a review. It helps more mums find this space.Because every mother deserves a village. Let’s build it together. 💛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.

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• 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 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.Together, Renee and Hailey dive into the creative process behind the film, the guilt and grace of parenting, and why sometimes the most transformative thing we can offer is our full attention.You’ll hear about:Why emotional presence matters more than performanceThe imprints that shape us and how they show up in motherhoodWhat inspired Hailey to create Seen and the ripple effect of its messageHow creativity can help us process, reflect and reconnectWhere to find local screenings or host one in your communityThis episode is a tender, honest invitation to pause, reflect and remember that being present, even imperfectly, is more than enough.Resources and Links: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 servicesIf you want to gobble up our famous Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies , look no further!🎬 Watch or host a screening of Seen – seenthefilm.com or follow the film on Instagram – @seendocumentary📲 Connect with Hailey – @haileybe🌐 Explore more of Hailey’s work – youcantbeserious.com.au🎥 Watch Hailey’s TEDx talk: 365 Grateful Project – Watch on YouTube Watch or host a screening of Seen – seenthefilm.com or follow the film on Instagram – @seendocumentary Connect with Hailey – @haileybe Explore more of Hailey’s work – youcantbeserious.com.au Watch Hailey’s TEDx talk: 365 Grateful Project – Watch on YouTube🔔This episode is proudly supported by Our Village, a Victorian charity that rehomes pre-loved nursery and kids' items to families who need them most. Our Village believes every child deserves to thrive and every parent should have support around them. You can help by donating time, goods or funds to make sure no family misses out. Learn more:

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