Tend and Befriend
Tend & Befriend – The Podcast for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond
Hosted by Deborah the Doula, a birth professional with over 20 years of experience, Tend & Befriend is your go-to source for evidence-based insights, real birth stories, and expert advice. After two decades in the birth world, I’ve learned a thing or two—and I want to make sure you have access to that knowledge.
Join me as we dive into the topics that matter most during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Whether you're preparing for labor, navigating new motherhood, or reflecting on your own birth journey, you'll find support, wisdom, and connection in every episode.
Let’s learn, laugh, and grow—together. 💛 Listen now!
Episodes
24 episodes
More Milk, Less Stress: Natural Ways to Boost Supply
Episode Title: How to Boost Milk Supply NaturallyWelcome back to Tend and Befriend! I’m your host Deborah—mom, doula, health professional, and your biggest cheerleader on this journey through pregnancy, postpartum, and pa...
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8:44
Who Gave a Crap? The Funny Truth About Delivery Room Accidents
Let's talk about the one childbirth fear that keeps many expectant mothers up at night – pooping during labor. As a doula, massage therapist, and mother of two, I've witnessed firsthand how this perfectly natural bodily function creates unneces...
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6:45
Blood Flow and Baby-Making: The Aspirin Connection
We dive deep into the evidence behind aspirin use during pregnancy, examining why fertility clinics recommend it and how to weigh the risks and benefits of this common intervention. The podcast explores low-dose aspirin's role in improving bloo...
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6:08
Your Empty Stomach Is Making Morning Sickness Worse
Pregnancy should be a time of joy and anticipation, but for the 80% of expectant mothers who experience morning sickness, it can feel like an endless battle against nausea and discomfort. What if small, strategic changes to your daily routine c...
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5:35
Struggling with Breastfeeding? Let’s Clear Up some of the Confusion
We dive deep into common breastfeeding misconceptions that leave mothers feeling confused and inadequate, providing evidence-based facts to empower new parents on their feeding journey. The episode tackles seven persistent myths about breastfee...
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7:01
Pregnancy Brain: Science or Excuse?
Ever wondered if "pregnancy brain" is real science or just a convenient excuse for misplaced keys and forgotten appointments? The fascinating truth lies somewhere in between, and it's more remarkable than you might think.Pregnancy trigg...
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7:11
Pitocin isnt Oxytocin!
Today, we're tackling a big topic: Why do medical professionals often refer to Pitocin as oxytocin? What are the risks and benefits? And why is Pitocin being overused in so many hospital births? Let’s break it all down....
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9:57
Water Breaking Realities
Step into the world of childbirth realities with Tend and Befriend as we unpack the truthful nuances surrounding the event of water breaking. Many of us can recall memorable moments from beloved television shows where a woman's water dramatical...
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6:16
Jacobsons Relaxation
Join us in this special episode as I walk you through Jacobsons Relaxation. This technique can help anyone manage stress, and alleviate discomfort, especially mothers in the delivery room. 1:49 - Introduction & Disclaime...
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24:55
Q & A - Got Questions about Pregnancy? We have answers!
Today we are answering questions that you asked us through our social media accounts!!Join me today as we discuss a couple of these topics: Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, Options for flipping a breech baby, When ...
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28:40
I peed on the stick, its positive. What are the steps to take?
I peed on the stick and Its positive, I am pregnant! What are my first steps to take? How does this all work?Do I call the OB?Do I call the Family Doctor?Do I scream it from the mountain tops?I...
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30:58
Money, should not be your first sacrifice as a New Mother!
Ever wonder how some women manage not to worry about finances during their maternity leave? I know how they did it.... they hired Alynn Godfroy from Godfroy financial. How did she enjoy her maternity leave without fina...
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36:56
STOP pretending that Motherhood is Easy!
Friends sometimes divulge things to each other what we wouldnt dare admit to anyone else! Jaclyn and I have been friends for alot of years, we laugh about each others faults and the stupid things that run through our minds as ...
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56:40
Dropping ALL of the balls when dealing with a concussion, mental illness & loss!
Ever get all the balls in your life rolling smoothly, only to have them all go crashing to the ground? Yeah me too!Here's what the %#@* happened to all of the balls I was juggling last...
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48:45
Pregnancy Story with Casey Pillon
Ever wondered what the process is like to discharge your OBGYN? Listen to Casey tell her story of having difficulty with the rules at her OBGYN's office during the pandemic and what steps she took to get the birth she wanted. Casey...
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53:17
Renee Meloche - Jelly Fish Pilates
Can you imagine travelling all over the world teaching and mastering your craft? Thats exactly what Renee Meloche from Jelly Fish Pilates in Tecumseh Ontario did before deciding to settle down here in Windsor, Essex County and open her...
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52:06
Tiffany Koniecki - Single Motherhood by choice.
Becoming a single mother by choice is an increasingly popular path to motherhood. As more women are making the decision to have a child on their own, whether through artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization, adoption or...
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1:07:45
Doctors Visit suggestions for better care.
We can all use help with finding the right way to speak to our medical professionals of choice. Todays episode I make 5 suggestions that have helped me and others be a better case manager of their health. Hope you find them helpful and ca...
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11:19
Mom Life with Leigha Moravac
For some people, motherhood comes naturally, it’s almost like they were born to be moms. This is the case with today's guest Leigha Moravac. Leigha has always known she wanted to be a mom and it's easy to watch her with her child...
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1:06:03
Ionizing radiation (x-ray) - Is it ALL safe?
This episode I speak with one of our local hospitals Radiographic Imaging Experts Milena Lewis . Milena has been in this field for over 20 years and is highly skilled when advising patients on the risks and benefits and how to ask for ...
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26:35
Canadian Olympic Athlete Melissa Bishop
Melissa Bishop Nriagu is a Canadian Professional Athlete from Eaganville Ontario, she is a 2 time Olympic Athlete for the 800 metre distance. She is only the 3rd woman to achieve a time under 2:00 minutes and is currently t...
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50:32
Dr. Kristen Kupeyan - Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Most women are struggling with hormone issues in one way or another. Every woman is different and has a different story. It is important to understand your overall health and why your hormones may be disrupted. Dr. Kristen Kupeyan at B...
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39:06