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 flaw
• How to recognise when anxiety has moved from visitor to renovation
• What IVF trauma looks like in the body and why it often goes unidentified
• How medication decisions are made with a risk-versus-risk framework
• Why 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.