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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 ...
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Sacred Home Birth - A doulas perspective!
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" A powerful home birth story highlighting the incredible strength of women and the sacred honor of supporting birthing families. Doula Debra shares her evolving approach to home birth support and the beautiful outcome of a recent birth where connection, trust and protecting oxytocin flow created magic.…
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Reclaiming Power in the Birthing Room - Ainslee Winter's birth story.
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" There's a life-changing moment when a woman transforms into a mother – regardless of whether she always knew motherhood was her path. This raw, honest conversation with art therapist Ainsley Winter reveals her journey from uncertainty about motherhood to an empowered hospital birth experience. Ainsley…
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The Truth About Epidurals: What You’re Not Always Told About Birth Choices
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13:31
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13:31
"Let us know what you think about this episode" We explore epidurals in childbirth, examining what they are, their risks, and why unmedicated birth options deserve equal consideration in your birth plan. • Epidurals are regional anesthesia using local anesthetics and opioids to block pain signals from the waist down • Research shows epidurals can s…
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Understanding Lochia: Your Body's Natural Healing Process After Childbirth
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6:20
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6:20
"Let us know what you think about this episode" Postpartum bleeding, or lochia, is your body's natural healing process as your uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size. We explore the science behind this important recovery phase and what every new mother should know about supporting her body during this time. • Uterus shrinks from watermelon to pea…
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More Milk, Less Stress: Natural Ways to Boost Supply
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8:44
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" Episode Title: How to Boost Milk Supply Naturally Welcome 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 parenthood. In today’s episode, we’re talking about a topic I hear all the time fr…
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Who Gave a Crap? The Funny Truth About Delivery Room Accidents
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 unnecessary anxiety for birthing people everywhere. The science i…
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Blood Flow and Baby-Making: The Aspirin Connection
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6:08
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 blood flow to the placenta, potentially preventing complicatio…
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Your Empty Stomach Is Making Morning Sickness Worse
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5:35
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 could make those symptoms more manageable? Drawing on evide…
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Struggling with Breastfeeding? Let’s Clear Up some of the Confusion
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7:01
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 breastfeeding and offers practical guidance for navigating challeng…
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 triggers measurable changes in your brain's structure, particularly in…
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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. 🌿 In this episode, we cover: ✔️ The role of natural oxytocin in labor, bonding, an…
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 dramatically breaks in a public setting, igniting chaos and urgency.…
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 & Disclaimer 4:07 - Jacobsons Relaxation 23:52 - Closing Blog Labor & Birth Course 🎙 Thanks f…
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Q & A - Got Questions about Pregnancy? We have answers!
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28:40
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 to start tracking fetal Kick, Massage do's & donts. What is a mucus plug and what should I watch…
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I peed on the stick, its positive. What are the steps to take?
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 am not sure I am ready for this.. I dont know what my options are.. There are so many feelings and emoti…
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Money, should not be your first sacrifice as a New Mother!
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36:56
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 financial burden, the same way she is now enjoying her life, raising her baby boy Austin…
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 women, wives & especially as Mothers! NOTE - We are friends and this convers…
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Dropping ALL of the balls when dealing with a concussion, mental illness & loss!
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 year!! Please join us today as I have a very vulnerable conversation with one of my closest friends about life, inju…
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 is a fireball about her views on the pandemic and the guidelines invol…
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 own studio. Renee started her journey with Pilates in 1997 and has…
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Tiffany Koniecki - Single Motherhood by choice.
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1:07:45
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1:07:45
"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 other means, we are asking more and more questions. What happens when you m…
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Doctors Visit suggestions for better care.
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 can put them into play for you and your health! Good Luck!! 🎙 Than…
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 children and see that being a mom is a natural instinct for her. Despite all o…
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Ionizing radiation (x-ray) - Is it ALL safe?
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 advice when X-rays have been requested by your Health professional.…
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 the record holder for this distance at an amazing time of 1:57.01. Melissa is he…
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Nour Hachem-Fawaz - VBAC story of baby girl Alayna
1:41:40
1:41:40
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" Giving birth carries a lot of emotions for families, and moms sometimes have difficulty processing all of these feelings and emotions if they feel they didn't have a birth with choices. Today we are talking to Nour Hachem Fawaz as she dives into her first birth that ended with a cesarean delivery and …
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Dr. Kristen Kupeyan - Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
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39:06
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" 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 Medical in Windsor Ontario, is certified in bioidentical hormone r…
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Introduction to Tend and Befriend and Host Deborah
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8:22
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"Let us know what you think about this episode" Deborah is a RMT in the province of Ontario and the CEO and founder of Pelvic Love Massage Therapy. Deborah has owned her own business for 16 years. The purpose of her podcast is try to bring awareness to the standard of care for women by sharing beautiful and traumatic stories of pregnancy, birth and…
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