Send us a text What if the first, fiercest lesson in personal power began in the birth room? We sit with Kelly—licensed paramedic, yoga teacher, Reiki master, and now a doula in our agency—to trace how frontline medicine led her to a calling rooted in consent, breath, and presence. From the shift that happens when someone teaches you to ask for what you want, to the quiet courage of doing less and holding more, this conversation maps a humane way through complex systems. Kelly shares the piv...
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Send us a text What if the first, fiercest lesson in personal power began in the birth room? We sit with Kelly—licensed paramedic, yoga teacher, Reiki master, and now a doula in our agency—to trace how frontline medicine led her to a calling rooted in consent, breath, and presence. From the shift that happens when someone teaches you to ask for what you want, to the quiet courage of doing less and holding more, this conversation maps a humane way through complex systems. Kelly shares the piv...
"Let us know what you think about this episode" What if the first, fiercest lesson in personal power began in the birth room? We sit with Kelly—licensed paramedic, yoga teacher, Reiki master, and now a doula in our agency—to trace how frontline medicine led her to a calling rooted in consent, breath, and presence. From the shift that happens when someone teaches you to ask for what you want, to the quiet courage of doing less and holding more, this conversation maps a humane way through compl...
"Let us know what you think about this episode" Contact Natalie Evans through Instagram @pure.essence.doulacare Check out the linktree!! Support the show 🎙 Thanks for Tuning into Tend & Befriend! 🌿 Learn More & Work With Me: 💻 Visit Website for my birth course, resources, and to book a session with me. 📲 Stay Connected: 📷 Instagram: @deborahthedoula 📘 Facebook: @deborahthedoula 💡 Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs it! 🔗...
"Let us know what you think about this episode" We spend so much time preparing for labor, but what about the moments that come right after your baby is born? In this episode of Tend and Befriend, I’m walking you through what really happens after the final push. From skin-to-skin and delayed cord clamping, to delivering the placenta, the fundal massage (you've probably heard of it), and the quiet start to postpartum recovery. Whether this is your first baby or you're preparing for another, un...
"Let us know what you think about this episode" Pelvic health physiotherapist Corey Ireland shares her expertise on the myths, misconceptions, and transformative potential of pelvic floor therapy for women, men, and children of all ages. Through her compassionate approach of meeting people where they are and "nudging" rather than pushing, Corey explains how pelvic health impacts everything from pregnancy comfort to postpartum recovery and even cardiovascular wellness. • Pelvic floor physioth...
"Let us know what you think about this episode" You’ve seen it in birth photos, maybe even on your own baby...that creamy white coating on newborn skin. It’s called vernix caseosa, and in this episode of Tend and Befriend, we’re exploring what it is, why it matters, and what it represents in today’s birth spaces. Deborah breaks down: The science of vernix: what it’s made of and why it formsIts powerful role in immune support, temperature regulation, and bondingWhy more families are choosing t...
"Let us know what you think about this episode" Forget the diaper raffles and puff-painted bibs. This isn’t your traditional baby shower. In this episode of Tend and Befriend, Deborah dives into the heart of nesting parties: intimate gatherings that blend community, preparation, and emotional support for expecting parents. You’ll learn: What a nesting party is and why it mattersHow to create a calm, supportive environment (and who to invite)Practical tips for meal prep, baby gear setup, and h...
"Let us know what you think about this episode" 🎙️ Episode Title: The #1 Mistake First-Time Moms Make in Early Labor (And What to Do Instead) Podcast: Tend and Befriend Host: Deborah the Doula Episode Summary: If you're in the last weeks of pregnancy and wondering “How will I know if it’s really labor?” — this episode is for you. Today on Tend and Befriend, I’m talking about the most common mistake I see first-time moms make in early labor — and how doing the opposite can shift your entire...
"Let us know what you think about this episode" Episode Summary: Thinking about choosing a midwife but unsure what they actually do? Heard that midwives only attend home births or that you can’t get an epidural with one? It’s time to clear up the myths and get real about what midwifery care looks like in Ontario — especially in Windsor-Essex. In this episode, I’m joined by Corey, a registered midwife with Midwives of Windsor, and we’re unpacking the most common misconceptions around midwifer...
"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. • Creating deeper connections with birthing families before labor begins • Understanding the importance of protecting oxytocin flow during labor ...
"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's story dismantles the false dichotomy between medicated and unmedicated births. Using the powerful "mountain versus gondola" analogy, she explai...
"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 slow labor progression, especially during the pushing phase by up to 90 minutes • Associated with higher likelihood of requiring vacuum extractio...
"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 pear size in about six weeks after delivery • Lochia progresses through three distinct phases: rubra (days 1-4), serosa (days 5-10), and alba (final ...
"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 from breastfeeding moms: how to naturally boost your milk supply. Whether you’re just starting out or navigating a supply dip, I’ll walk you through ...
"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 is straightforward: when you're pushing your baby out, you're using the exact same muscle groups involved in bowel movements. Your baby's head appl...
"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 complications for mothers with specific risk factors. • Low-dose aspirin (81mg) works by preventing tiny blood clots and reducing inflammation • Studies show...
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 evidence from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, I break down exactly why your body rebels against you during those early weeks (spoiler alert: blame those skyrocketing HCG and...
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 challenges with confidence. • Breastfeeding is a learned skill, not an instinct – 92% of moms face challenges in the first week • Breast size has absolutely no impact on milk production capacity • Frequ...
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 areas related to social cognition and emotional regulation. Far from being a deficit, these changes represent your brain's brilliant adaptation to prepare you for motherhood. Think of it as nat...
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, and breastfeeding ✔️ How Pitocin is different & why it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier ✔️ The risks of Pitocin: stronger contractions, fetal distress, C-sections & uterine rupture ✔️...
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. However, this depiction is often far from the truth. In our latest episode, we strip away the theatrics to reveal what actually happens when one's water breaks, arming expecting parents with the...
Send us a text What if the first, fiercest lesson in personal power began in the birth room? We sit with Kelly—licensed paramedic, yoga teacher, Reiki master, and now a doula in our agency—to trace how frontline medicine led her to a calling rooted in consent, breath, and presence. From the shift that happens when someone teaches you to ask for what you want, to the quiet courage of doing less and holding more, this conversation maps a humane way through complex systems. Kelly shares the piv...
