Shows
Tend and BefriendSacred Home Birth - A doulas perspective!"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• Preparing spiritually and emotionally as a birth worker• Recognizing transition signs even when contraction patterns aren't textbook• Witnessing the power...2025-05-2312 minTend and BefriendReclaiming Power in the Birthing Room - Ainslee Winter's birth story."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 explains how she navigated her options and ultimately chose what felt right for her body – a hospital birth with epidural support. Yet her preparation was...2025-05-171h 02Tend and BefriendThe Truth About Epidurals: What You’re Not Always Told About Birth Choices"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 extraction or forceps during delivery• Can contribute to a cascade of interventions including Pitocin, continuous monitoring, and potentia...2025-05-0913 minTend and BefriendUnderstanding Lochia: Your Body's Natural Healing Process After Childbirth"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 phase)• Bleeding occurs as the wound where the placenta attached heals• Breastfeeding releases oxytocin that sti...2025-05-0206 minTend and BefriendMore Milk, Less Stress: Natural Ways to Boost Supply"Let us know what you think about this episode"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 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 research-backed strategies, supportive tools, and tips that really...2025-04-2508 minTend and BefriendWho Gave a Crap? The Funny Truth About Delivery Room Accidents"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 applies pressure to your rectum as it descends, potentially causing any remaining stool to be expelled. Far from being em...2025-04-1806 minTend and BefriendBlood Flow and Baby-Making: The Aspirin Connection"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 aspirin may reduce preeclampsia risk by 24% in high-risk pregnancies when started before 16 weeks• Particularly beneficial for women with recurrent pregna...2025-04-1106 minTend and BefriendYour Empty Stomach Is Making Morning Sickness Worse"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 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 estrogen levels). While most women see relief by...2025-04-0405 minTend and BefriendStruggling with Breastfeeding? Let’s Clear Up some of the Confusion"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 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• Frequent feeding and cluster feeding are normal behaviors, not signs of insufficient milk supply• C-section births pre...2025-03-2807 minTend and BefriendPregnancy Brain: Science or Excuse?"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 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 nature's way of helping you prioritize what really matters—your growing baby—while temp...2025-03-2107 min