Tend and Befriend – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Tend and Befriend

Deborah Herritt Koumoutsidis

Health & Fitness

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/66d. Total Eps: 23

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!

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Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - medicine
21/04/2025
#83
🇨🇦 Canada - medicine
10/04/2025
#70

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://www.pelviclove.com/
46 shares
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhae/article/PIIS2352-3026
2 shares
https://olympic.ca/team-canada/melissa-bishop/
2 shares

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 59%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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Your Empty Stomach Is Making Morning Sickness Worse

Friday, April 4, 2025 • Duration 05:35

"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 their second trimester, some—myself included—fight nausea until delivery day. The good news? You're not powerless against it.

Discover why an empty stomach might be your worst enemy and how keeping crackers on your nightstand could transform your mornings. Learn about the scientifically-backed power of ginger, the surprising effectiveness of the P6 pressure point, and why Canadian guidelines specifically recommend vitamin B6 supplementation. We explore practical strategies from hydration techniques to smell management that have helped countless moms in my birth coaching practice.

For those experiencing severe symptoms, I also address when it's time to seek medical help for hyperemesis gravidarum and what treatments might be available. Remember that your body is doing incredible work growing a new life—and with these evidence-based approaches, you can support that journey with less discomfort. Ready to reclaim some comfort during your pregnancy? Let's tackle morning sickness together.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

Nausea Support

Preggie Pops
https://amzn.to/3YDb9LI

GinGins
https://amzn.to/3C0xmui

Peppermint Tea
https://amzn.to/3Ynsqr2

Motion Sickness Wrist Bands
https://amzn.to/4eY3nSv

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer:
Some of the links shared in this episode may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love and trust. Thank you for supporting the podcast and the work I do for families like yours!

🎙 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!

🔗 Find all links here: Our website

I hope to talk to you soon!!

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Struggling with Breastfeeding? Let’s Clear Up some of the Confusion

Friday, March 28, 2025 • Duration 07:01

"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 present unique challenges but don't prevent successful breastfeeding
• While breast milk contains unique components, formula is a safe, healthy option for babies who need it
• Working mothers can continue breastfeeding through pumping, partial nursing, or adjusted feeding schedules
• Initial discomfort is common when breastfeeding begins, but persistent pain requires professional evaluation

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or leave a review, and keep nurturing your beautiful journey of motherhood.

🎙 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!

🔗 Find all links here: Our website

Dropping ALL of the balls when dealing with a concussion, mental illness & loss!

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 • Duration 48:45

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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, injury, mental illness & loss.

While this story is about failure, at no point was I not okay with failing… in order to grow you sometimes have to fail, and fail miserably!

Alana - is the daughter of one of my closest friends, she and her sister are like daughters to me and my love for them grows stronger every year. I love that despite a major age difference Alana and I can share struggles about life, love, health and we are just as comfortable crying together as we are laughing together.

Alana will be joining me once in a while as a guest host!

Thank you for listening!

Love beams to you!!

🎙 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!

🔗 Find all links here:

Pregnancy Story with Casey Pillon

Thursday, July 8, 2021 • Duration 53:17

"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 involved at our local hospital during birth.. she feels like everyone should be treated as the individual humans that we are.

Casey talks us through her struggles with fertility, a miscarrige, getting pregnant again and finding out she is capable of a VBAC. She shares the story of firing her OB, hiring a midwife and obtaining a medical mask exemption, all while we listen to her little Adeline gurgle in the background. Join us as we laugh and talk about her beautiful Journey!

🎙 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!

🔗 Find all links here: Our website

I hope to talk to you soon!!

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Renee Meloche - Jelly Fish Pilates

Friday, June 18, 2021 • Duration 52:06

"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 a full certification with STOTT Pilates, and has travelled all over the world teaching certifications. Renee is a business owner, the mom of three kids, an author and a brillant pilates instructor. I am very excited to talk with her today about all of those things and her special interest in pre & Post natal Pilates.

Renee has a team of amazing Pilates Instructors on staff at her wonderful studio to help you move forward in your health or to start you on the path to health and wellbeing. You can learn more about Renee through her very own Podcast - Pilates Mom.

🎙 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!

🔗 Find all links here: Our website

I hope to talk to you soon!!

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Tiffany Koniecki - Single Motherhood by choice.

Thursday, June 10, 2021 • Duration 01:07:45

"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 make the decision to do this alone? How do you choose a donor in Canada? What is the process? What does the fertility clinics charge? Will I need hormones? How much does the donor cost? and much much more...

Listen to me talk with Tiffany about all of these things for her during the journey of bringing her baby girl Jordan Earthside.

🎙 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!

🔗 Find all links here: Our website

I hope to talk to you soon!!

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Doctors Visit suggestions for better care.

Thursday, June 3, 2021 • Duration 11:19

"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!!

🎙 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!

🔗 Find all links here: Our website

I hope to talk to you soon!!

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Mom Life with Leigha Moravac

Thursday, May 27, 2021 • Duration 01:06:03

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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 of this - Parenting isn't always a clear and easy path, especially when health issues, car accidents, and a newborn who doesn't sleep well are playing a role. Throw into all of this that we are in the middle of a world-wide pandemic and you will have a recipe for a few periods of crisis. Finding the support you need from friends, family and the professionals in your community is always the right step, but can sometimes end differently than you planned. We all need to be validated and supported through the first few years of having babies, so that we can find the trust in ourselves. Join me today in talking with a beautiful mom, who shows us her path through challenging pregnancies and being on maternity leave during a pandemic. Leigha tells us her journey of how she has prevailed during this unprecedented time, all while loving her two beautiful children, her husband and most of all herself!

🎙 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!

🔗 Find all links here: Our website

Ionizing radiation (x-ray) - Is it ALL safe?

Friday, May 21, 2021 • Duration 26:35

"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. Milena helps shine some light on what you can do to be more informed when you need an X-Ray Image both during pregnancy and everyday.

Ionizing radiation (x-ray) is composed of high-energy photons that are capable of damaging DNA and generating caustic free radicals, although we discuss this briefly in this episode we do not discuss the exact photon exposure involved with various Imaging methods. If you would like to know the range of doses provided by common radiographs you can find them Here and also lots of other facts on exposure.

🎙 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!

🔗 Find all links here: Our website

I hope to talk to you soon!!

Canadian Olympic Athlete Melissa Bishop

Thursday, May 13, 2021 • Duration 50:32

"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 here to talk about Training and Exercise during pregnancy, as well as Postpartum. We discuss the fact that no matter what other women have experienced or professionals say is typical, this may not be the journey for you. Pregnant women often hear mixed information about what physical activity is safe or dangerous during pregnancy and when you SHOULD feel like exercising postpartum. Melissa share’s with us that no matter how much you know and plan for - Your body sometimes doesn't respond the way you think it will. We share Melissa’s journey of training during pregnancy and her path of finding the right professionals to guide her while keeping her baby girl Corinne safe. We talk about returning to postpartum training and how that looked for her.

How would training during Covid look and attempting to qualify when there are no races and a very touchy topic of the lack of Maternity leave for Canadian Professional Athletes.

You can find out more about Melissa Bishop Nriagu at this link and don't forget to follow her journey in this years Olympics in Tokyo.
GO CANADA!
https://olympic.ca/team-canada/melissa-bishop/

🎙 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

Tend and Befriend – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Tend and Befriend – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other10

Buzzsprout1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other10

Buzzsprout1

Instagram1