Speaker 0
Into the wild, I'm going into the wild, I am. It's been a while, freedom child, since I left my roots back home. Into the wild I'm good. Into the wild I am. It's been a while, freedom's child since I left my roots back home.
Speaker 1
Welcome to the Free Birth Society podcast. This is a radical space for women who are ready to celebrate their autonomous choices in birth, motherhood, and beyond. Together, we'll learn about wild birth through personal narrative, we'll explore the politics of birth, and we'll analyze everything that relates to our lives as women from a feminist perspective. Here's your host, Emilee Saldaya. It's
Speaker 0
been a wild freedom challenge since I left my rules back home.
Speaker 2
Hi, women. You saw the title. Right? A Serbian breach free birth at forty four weeks, the ripple effect of Mina's power. I am pumped to bring you this episode today. It might be the most important one of the season, so I'm glad you're here. Today's story is from Mina, a free birthing mother and a radical birth keeper graduate in Serbia. Though Mina dreamt of birthing at home, she knew of no other women making that choice, so she birthed her first two children in a very old school, very dark hospital. Mina faced obstetric violence and abuse and did not want to return, so she didn't. She free birthed her third when she found herself pregnant. As a newly single mother, Mina chose free birth again, this time for her breech baby, born at forty four weeks, surrounded by her sweet children. Mina credits the radical birthkeeper school for her deep understanding of sisterhood through which she has cultivated a blossoming community of women in her country also creating change. These women are choosing sovereign birth. They are stepping outside of the medical system and into their full power just as Mina did. Obviously, Mina's choice to free birth is huge, but I'm so struck by the real ripple effect that happens after a woman free births in her community and then devotes herself to sovereign birth work. Mina is truly changing birth culture in Serbia, and it's a really, really big deal. As sister Morningstar says, what one woman can do, all women can do. And if Mina can do it, you can too. There are just a few short days left to enroll in our only round of the radical birth keeper school this year. So don't wait. Your time is now. Join us. Wherever you are, there are women around you hungry for wise sisters to support them in their sovereign birth choices. Go to radical birth keeper school dot com and become the lighthouse in your community. Alright. Enjoy the episode. Alright. Welcome to the show, Mina. This is long overdue. I'm so glad to have you here.
Speaker 3
I'm, beyond excited to be here. Like, this is a podcast that I've been listening to for two years now. And now to be a part of it, it's really amazing. And thank you for having me here.
Speaker 2
Oh, it's my pleasure. Yeah. You've got an important story. And and, you know, as as listeners will learn, you live and are from Serbia, and you and I both are very interested in getting the word out to Serbian women about the possibility of free birth. And you were our first Serbian radical birth keeper graduate. And yeah, it's just so exciting to see this go into all different countries in the world, places that I haven't even been yet, knowing that we can connect and that we can spread this work together. So, yeah, really excited.
Speaker 3
Thank you. This would would never happen if you didn't choose me to be, like, for the that tuition. So thank you for doing that and for, like, spreading the consciously, like, spreading the work here. Mhmm.
Speaker 2
Alright. Let's get into your story. So you are a mother of four. So take us to the beginning with your first baby and who are you as you become a mother and tell us about that first birth.
Speaker 3
So, I found a man and we both decided that it is time to have a family. We had similar, points of view to the world. And after several months, like two or three months, I got pregnant. And I was really really happy about it. But, wasn't that sure about birthing in hospital because, I've never been there, like, really for anything. And but I didn't know any women that have given birth at home in that, like, that was eight eight and a half years ago. And some of them that I knew that they did it, that, I couldn't get, touch with them. So when I was starting to feel like, that that the hospital is not for me, I told that that to my husband and to my parents, and they looked at me like I was a lunatic. And it didn't happen in the home that first time. It was in a hospital with almost everything that they included there, jumping on the belly and all that stress. And, I didn't see my baby for, like, twelve hours because, I had a temperature. And here is in Serbia, it is very it's like Southeastern Europe. It's not, the the it's not it's not great. It's not good. And, after a while, after a few days, they've been in a in a hospital, we found out women in, in the room found out that, thermometers were not, working properly. So we were, like, completely, enraged for with for not being able to be with our babies, thinking that we need, approval for for that. So that was like, really, great for me from this point of view to realize what is in their life. What's happening to mothers and babies. And for some years, the everybody was telling me that I should be, grateful for having such a good experience. That's that women go through hell of a lot to give birth to the bay to their babies. Like, it's something that is wrong with women that they can do it, cannot do it. Two years after that, I was delivering another baby and, the midwife that I found to, like, connect, to ask about anything, how does it work, how can she be there for my, second birth? Was not interested because when I told her when my due date was, she was like, oh, but I'm, on a holiday then. So, yeah, sorry. Bye. And the phone dropped. And really thinking like, oh my god. I really don't even want somebody like that who doesn't even want to have a conversation with me to be in my birth space. So that was, like, completely off. And, I was still thinking that I need somebody out of myself to have a baby. So even though I didn't want it, I went to the hospital back again, like, minutes before, the baby came. And they found found me really, unprepared. They didn't give me IV nothing. They just had me on the table and, like, yeah, it will be, like, tomorrow you will give a birth. And I was I knew that it is happening now at that very moment. So while baby was, like, crowning, I was really still and trying to be quiet as much as I can. I took some kind of, position like not really sitting but not really squatting. Like, something that they will not look at me and think, oh my god, she is giving birth now. So, her head was out, her shoulders were were out, and I've, released the sound in which they knew that the baby is coming. So they made all made all of fuss about it. And, in that birth, I realized, from my experience that I didn't even have the urge to push, but the baby is was the birthing itself. And I I told him told them, please, the baby is doing it all by herself. Let her. But, they thought that that I was crazy, and they wanted to, like, restrain my hands and, legs. They wanted to tie me to the bed, and, one main voice said to me, like, clearly looked looked directly in the eyes to me and said, do you want to do this our way, or do you want me to tie you? And I just laid back, and they pulled the baby out of me. And that was on the the only painful parts of that birth. And I knew my right side, knew and and I was, like, glad that I knew how to battle all other things, and we were, back home, like, two days after. Question. Yes.
Speaker 2
The the tying adult women in labor to tables Tell me more about that. Like, is that a normal common ritual in Serbian hospitals? Like, you know, I know in America, they, in many places, still shackle, incarcerated women. They will they will tether them down. Usually, it's women who are prisoners. And then, of course, we could say that almost all women in hospitals are tethered in a way because they have the external fetal monitoring straps, and they are literally leashed. But that's different than being tied down. Being leashed and tied are not the same. And so tell me about that because that's incredibly hardcore, obviously, hardcore abusive.
Speaker 3
At the time, I didn't realize what was happening to me. I I was like, is this real? Do women experience this? I never heard, about something like that. Okay. Yet after the briefing, with women, after the briefing sessions with women here, I found out that it's, like, common thing. K. And excuses, if you, like, punch your legs from, you can hurt your baby.
Speaker 2
Oh, wow. Amazing. Amazing.
Speaker 3
Like, we we we are, like, worried about your baby, and it'd be better if you are strapped or tied, and you will not hurt your baby.
Speaker 2
I wonder what what material they use to strap a woman to the table. Like, is it is it
Speaker 3
It's leather leather belts. Oh my god. So on my tail you belt table, there were leather belts. And I was like, oh my god. I didn't even realize they were there. And that's that's not, like, whole part of it. Here in, like, public, hospitals, the hygiene is very poor. I have one reel on my Instagram account showing the, true, like, pictures that women took inside of them. Like, how how the shower looks like and how, they have, like, food after birth, like, postpartum first meals. It's like salami and, bread. It's not, like, nourishing anything. And it's quite disgusting. It's quite quite quite disgusting here. But, nevertheless nevertheless, private hospitals also have the same behavior. It's like it's not like you will have better experience. You know, you need to know your rights to, advocate for yourself and, probably to have, your husband or your partner with you to make sure that you have, like, a better outcome.
Speaker 2
But but that's that's crazy. That's not real. Like That's not real. You knew your rights and you were threatened with being strapped down. Like, that that's it doesn't matter. And actually knowing your rights can sometimes get you in more harm's way because then you'll be uncompliant.
Speaker 3
Yeah. Ben, girl.
Speaker 2
Okay. So then that second baby, that's insane. Then what happens?
Speaker 3
I, in that very moment, I knew that I will never come back to that place or any type place like that. Never mind it will be if it was public or, private. They will not see me any anytime in my life, and not only for birth. Like, I don't want to go there in my life. So, I got pregnant again, and two years after, that I I had my first thirty three babies, two years apart. And I just knew I will not go back, and my husband is, like, a little hypochondriac kind of type of, mentality. And, he really needed somebody outside of me to tell him that it is fine to give birth to the baby at home. And, some like, from his friend's ex wife was starting to be a midwife. And, we, got in touch with her, and she, like, had a meeting with us at our place. And that was our house we were living. It was like a beautiful tiny home, but, all other homes in that area were, like, like, being, torn down and, a lot of tall buildings started, to, like, flourish all around us. So from, like, tiny home in a peaceful neighborhood, was, like, completely, not peaceful at all, and I didn't found myself, like, private or intimates to birth there. But she came there to see us and told him that, yeah, it is fine and so that she will be there and that, I will labor and that there will be everything will be fine as she knows how birth works. But she has some kind of, like, I don't know if the placenta is on your, where your placenta stands. We will see. It's not quite sure. You need to be near the hospital, like, five minutes away. And all that kind of things that I was like, but I don't want hospital five minutes away from me. I want hospital, like, two hours away from me. I don't wanna go there. And that was my thinking. I didn't say to that to her. I saw her as a a way to, to have somebody to speak to my husband that is, like, I'm not the only one speaking my mind, but, there is one, person also that is, like, more, in expertise from me in his point of view and that she will be there with us. And time was, like, ticking, and I didn't pay much attention to the due date or any of the those things. But, like, ten days before, the due dates, a landlord of that house told us that we have to go, that, some other his, like, relatives will, start living there. Oh my god. And I was like, oh my god. This is so good. This is so good. I will not give birth here.
Speaker 2
Alright.
Speaker 3
I I couldn't, like, explain to my, husband that I don't want to be there and that I wanted somewhere else to be because that that there was very convenient. We were used to in our community there. We had a lot of friends. And five days prior, the term, I, we found a house, and it was, like, the perfect place. The bathtub was large, and I was like, yeah. This is it. And, I knew that I was in tune with that divine and that I just I I felt like, I just let go. I was really in calm, in peace, and the those five days I took to, settle in to nest. And, my two first kids were, at my, parents' house.
Speaker 2
And so was the setup was the setup that this midwife was going to attend you, or were you already planning to free birth with this third?
Speaker 3
I was planning to call her, and, I in that night, I, I felt the, like, the nerves, like, in my lower back, like, completely the sensations was like, like, a stabbing in the back, and I knew, oh my god. Yeah. Tomorrow, tomorrow I will give birth. And in the morning, I felt sensations, but not like something is, rapidly happening. But that sometime maybe during the evening or tomorrow, during the day, the the baby will come. And I called her to tell her that some that I feel some sensations. And during that call, I just felt, oh my god. The baby is lowering herself down. And I'm on a call where she ex she is explaining to me that the birth will happened to like, later in the evening and that we will see each other then. And I'm and I'm like, yeah. That's that sounds great. And, I went to, straight to the bathroom, and I fell to the head. And my main concern was to be quiet because I didn't want my partner to be like, but we need to go or anything like that. But I really could use his hands to help me to go to the bathtub. And I called him and he was like, it's now, and he really was, like, in, in calm, and he wasn't panicky or or anything like that. And that was, like, something that really meant to me. And, yeah, the baby came here just to, was, like, in in two pushes. She was out in the membranes, and he took her in his arms and said, yeah. This is Theona, and that is her name now. Because we didn't know if it was, a boy or a girl. So, that was how she was born. And then, we went to, our beds and, the the midwife, came to see us and the placenta and to for everything else. And although I really, like, really felt her sisterly energy and really appreciated that knowing that she can be there if I want her. I was really pleased that she didn't arrive. And, knowing now that she really is a midwife, I really sometimes I ask myself if she was there, would my birth be sabotaged in some way? But luckily, it was all, like, beautiful, peaceful, anti stress, like, everyday living kind of thing, family birth.
Speaker 2
So did you did you even know the term free birth yet? Like, when did all that come on to your radar?
Speaker 3
No. I thought that, every home birth is just a home birth. And I called dates like a family birth because it was like that. Yeah. And, like, twenty twenty one, I saw, like, some, like, posts, from y'all, something about pandemic. And, I was like, oh my god. I resonate with this woman so much. And I looked at her profile, and I was like, but what is a free birth? And then then it clicked like, wow. I need to know more about this. Mhmm. It's something because for years, I've been having an urge to talk to women. Like, women, we can do this. We don't need anybody. Like, we can give birth at home or wherever. Like, you know, who cares? We can do this, and it is, like, the best life experience. Like, why why is nobody saying this? Mhmm. And here in Serbia, I know really a lot of women that had have had some, like, one or two or three converts, but they are not, spreading the words that much because it's, like, incognito kind of thing. Mhmm. It it depends on a from woman to a woman, but that kind of energy is there. And I really felt like for years that I'm that something is off with me. And then listening to you and then finding out about you really, like, made my day because I felt that I'm not alone, and that's my thoughts. Like, I was my, you were framing things in a way that I was only thinking about. Mhmm. And I was like, yeah. I will some some some in some way, I will be part of this. And I knew that, I didn't wanna be a doula. I because I was asking myself, like, why would I do, like, this week weekend kinda workshop just to end up being like an escort to the hospital again. And I didn't even go to that this workshop, and I had my home birth. So what's the catch there? And, yeah, this opportunity to learn from you was, like, the best thing that ever happened for me, like, truly.
Speaker 2
So what is the midwifery climate in Serbia like as you understand it? What it like, are there many? Are they registered? Like, what's what's the deal with medical midwifery, and are there underground midwives?
Speaker 3
Like, I know about three midwives. Two of them I know personally, and I have, like, respect for them for all of them. But I that third, I don't know personally. I have respect for them because they, in their own, like, faith, do the best that they can. But I know them from that that personal, like, like, woman to woman, kind of way. So I try not to get into what are you doing and what I am doing with women. But from, what women have shared with me, I, understand that even in their best ability, they are not allowing women to birth freely, like, undisturbed, like, from their own power.
Speaker 2
So, I mean, three midwives is not very many. So are these three midwives super busy?
Speaker 3
Yes. They are super busy, and they're not only here in Serbia. Some of them travel to other countries on Balkans, and there's I as I understand, one or two in Slovenia, then they are, like, traveling mainly to Croatia.
Speaker 2
Mhmm.
Speaker 3
And, yes, they're very super busy, and, that's it.
Speaker 2
Mhmm. Okay. So then you take RBK, and aren't you pregnant with your fourth during it or towards the end?
Speaker 3
Like, in in the yes. Towards the end, I found out that I was pregnant with my fourth, and that was in a very specific, time in my life because I was, like, splitting with my partner.
Speaker 2
Ah.
Speaker 3
Yes. And
Speaker 2
That's a big deal.
Speaker 3
Yeah. That was a big deal. And for, I really want didn't know what to to do about it. So I was crying a lot, being in a victim mentality completely, and I was like, but what what can I do? What will I do? Why will I I will go to live with my parents until I get along? And but will I, like, keep this baby or not? And I I was, like, not knowing not not being sure of what's what we will be. And, thankfully, the women from the, breakout group called the space for me and, really listens to me. And that was, like, with that breakout group, I really had the opportunity to see how it is to be given to express and to be yourself without, like, being on your part of the team. Like, yeah, you can do it now, not as a friend, but as, somebody who is, objective about every everything and to be given such great questions. And intuitively, I felt that I could use a help from a plant ally, and I did. It was a beautiful experience, and, it was morning. My partner was with our kids. I made some pancakes, and I was, like, melting and crying. Like, of course, I will give birth to this baby. And he told me that, he had a dream that some that there was a heartbeat and that he knew that the baby wants to come, that the baby wants to be born. And, I was melting on the sofa and, all of my children came to me and, asked me several questions like, mother, do you need anything? How are you feeling? And I saw that it will be in postpartum, that it will be like that. I will be laying down and they'll they will I will be surrounded by them. And I felt completely, like, blissful. They're so beautiful, and I was crying from joy, like, oh my god. It's this will be amazing, and this is amazing. And in in, I dropped my head, like, to fall asleep for a bit and saw, image that I dreamt about, like, fifteen years, ago from that moment, and it was the same picture or it before my eyes. And I was like, oh my god. I am really meant to experience this life here now. So everything is I felt like everything is in, in tune with everything divine and that is, you know, like, really purposeful for my for my life. And, that opportunity to really think, like, am I, really, going to do this, helped me realize that I I I I really allow this baby to be to just be. And I didn't expect this baby to be born or or not to be born. I just enjoyed being pregnant. Then that was the first time for me. Like, the third time was, yes. This is Converse. I'm doing this. I don't care. And this was like, I'm holding mystery, and I'm grateful for that. Mhmm. Like, oh my god. This is such a great experience. And finally
Speaker 2
I love that.
Speaker 3
Yes. And it was, like, just beautiful. I really enjoyed it. And after a while, I had, like, a debrief session with one of, ladies from our our class. And, I thought that the birth would be some kind of, dark, moisty, like, dark wood kind of atmosphere for me so that I could realize how my shadow works. And after that call, I was like, no. Why would I commit myself to that kind of experience? I don't know. I don't wanna give birth and to feel like, like, I'm under some kind of agony or, you know, pain or something like that. And I was like, I wanna be happy. I wanna be, blissful. I want to enjoy this. So, I was really opening myself to enjoy birth. And, last month, as my due date was coming up, I didn't like, personally, I didn't give, like, the damn when the baby will come. It will come when it's supposed to come. But my father was like, yeah. I don't know. Maybe you will go somewhere else. I'm not sure, but we will see. And I was, like, just waiting for a time when he will be like, no. You will not. And that day came. He was like, I'm sorry. I cannot see this happening here. I don't wanna go anywhere to, leave your birth here, and I don't wanna go anywhere. But because he did he is, like, very, he's very, like, kind of how can I say this? Balconic. Very What's the word? But here here, I live in Balkans.
Speaker 2
Oh, gotcha.
Speaker 3
It's really how men usually think about birth.
Speaker 2
Wait. So you when you were pregnant with this fourth baby, you did split from the partner and then you did go live with your parents?
Speaker 3
Yes. And I was committed I was I, I really accepted being, like, a single mom of four babies, four children. And he really didn't want me to birth at his place, and that was great because I didn't really completely felt, like, in at home there or welcomed there Mhmm. As me and as a mother of three and become four. So one day he just went, you know, if some something happens, I would never forgive myself. And I was like, oh my god, dad. That is completely okay. I don't have to give birth here. I will find somewhere else and that is fine. And from splitting up to that very moment, I was looking for a house day and night in the area, wanting to settle and be alone with my children, and nothing was coming up. And after that conversation with my father, third third like, thirty minutes after that, I received a phone call from a woman telling me, hey. Are you still interested in finding a place? And I was like, yeah. Thank you. Do you have something? Yeah. And this is, like, the very home that I live in. So it's funny, like, how home is in the third, and the fourth is something that is, happening again. And I saw that, the bathroom is, renovated, that it is fine because in the rural part of Serbia, houses don't look that good that much. So the bathroom was renovated, and I was like, yeah. This is bingo. I'm so I'm so pleased that this is it. I I accept. Thank you. And, I moved here with my kids.
Speaker 2
And how many how many weeks until you then gave birth?
Speaker 3
I thought that it would be, like, any day now, but, like, six weeks after that. It was the forty fourth week forty fourth week with the peach baby. Oh. And, if my son really the the last few days were really like, I can't do this anymore. Please get out, you know, all the jazz. But he really picked a very special day in so many way ways because I really, like, I was several, like, yeah, come when you want, and tomorrow he came. And, those last weeks, I really felt like, he was just laying upwards. Like, he's like, he wasn't in a fatal position like, we expect, but, like, his feet were, on my pubic bone and, like, I I will I really had some kind of discomfort. Not that much of a pain because I could move. I could do anything, like, daily things with my kids, but I felt like, oh my god. This baby really is, like, with feet down.
Speaker 2
Okay. So you had a strong sense that he was breech?
Speaker 3
Yes. A really strong sense, and I didn't want to share that info with much people. But I did share with one one friend, and she was like, yeah. It's normal. Like, not say any kind like a statement. Yeah. Great. It it's breached. It will come. And I felt that way too. Like, yeah. Everything will happen yet as it as it will.
Speaker 2
So so with this birth so you're separated from the partner. You're in a new home. Did you plan to just birth alone, or did you have a friend? What was the setup?
Speaker 3
No. I, the setup was I was preparing my kids to serve me the best that they can from their, like, age standpoints. So I taught taught my, the my, the oldest son to, like, put a fire in the store and to, prepare some lunches and things like that. I squeezed a lot of food, and, just was like, yeah, mommy, we'll have a baby. Because I was interested in seeing all videos from birth. They knew how birth looks and works, and they knew more than women here know about birth. So they were prepared, and they they knew, from the last experience that everything is well, that it is completely fine. And I was like, yeah. I will give birth to this baby with three of my children. And after that, I will call my mother to come. She's nearby. She will like to be here in postpartum time. But, my ex partner, like, called me, and he was like, but I I will be there for you that last weeks. I and he really traveled a lot to be there. And, on that day, or on the birthday, he was back in the capital, and he told me that somebody kidnapped his grandmother. And that would yes. That that was, like, the the craziest thing that I could hear that his grandmother was being kidnapped and that he cannot be
Speaker 2
not even a kidnap. That's a an old lady nap.
Speaker 3
Yes. Old lady nap. She wasn't there at her house, and, he, knew from the, like, surroundings that she was pulled from her her home.
Speaker 2
Who kidnaps an old lady?
Speaker 3
Somebody who wants her apartment.
Speaker 2
Okay. Is she okay? Like, what's the end of that story real quick?
Speaker 3
We will not go in that. It's Oh god. Ongoing. But Oh, jeez. Yes.
Speaker 2
Okay. So this happens, like, when you're going to
Speaker 3
Yes. I'm I'm like Oh my god. I'm feeling small sensations, and I'm I'm like, yeah. Some sometime maybe today, maybe tomorrow, it will happen. And on that very day, I was supposed to have, a Zoom call with women a pregnant women from my program that I I had, like, in January. And I was so fired up. Like, I have so much to tell them, to share with them, to get questions asked, to answer questions for them, and I was so eager to have that soon. And as time went by, I realized there will be no Zoom. So I told them I am going to have a baby now, and I got their blessings. Like, of course, we wish you everything beautiful. Thank you for like, we will have this some other time and being supported from them really meant a lot. Like, they wished everything best for me, and that's really, stuck in, like, in my heart. It meant really, really much. And then, yeah, I was there I was here with, three of them. They were playing a lot, in our room, and I was just cleaning up the dishes and doing everything before baby comes. And in one point, I, my ex partner called me and said, okay. This is, like I don't wanna deal with this now. I will come there and see you soon. And and and that moment, I was, like, really, like, happy that he chose by by himself that he will come here and that he will support me, like, physically. And after two hours or so, he was here. And in that time, sensations were really going intense. I wasn't really into communicating with kids or him anymore. And, it was painful but also, manageable, and I felt pretty great. Like, I will soon meet my baby, and I want this. I'm I'm so grateful that I have a chance once more in my life to experience this. Mhmm. And in some points, the sounds my children were having from their play really that frequency. Like, it was, like, kinda stabbing me in the back. It was so much painful that I couldn't bear that anymore. So I grabbed the small lamp and went to the bathroom and, set up there, like, a beautiful intimate kind of setting. It was really beautiful for me. And because it was January, I took some kind of rope with tassels. And, it's really not rope, but, bathrobe, with tassels and Vitrally gave me, like, impression the time, like, a native American woman with a fire, in in the belly. And, I was in that kind of role of being her and, it really, like, experiencing those sensations as, beautiful. Like, this is what it is to really step into being a mother and delivering this baby. And I was melting. I was crying. I was laughing. I was saying thank you, baby. Thank you, god. Thank you, baby. Thank you, god. I was completely in that awe of what life is. And, I was holding to, washing machine under one one side and on a sink on the other, and I was felt I was feeling like I was levitating in some way. And the baby was pushing through, and in one point, I, I was near the ground and on my knees. And then I felt like the baby really, like, directed me to the ground. And it was beautiful. I was on my knees crying, and in one moment, I felt the ring of fire. And that was the sensation I didn't feel in previous births. And I was like, oh my god. What is this? What the fuck is this? And it was like, this is, like, really burning sensation on the opening of my valva. Like, I really couldn't, like, it is, like, the literate feeling like ring of fire. And after accepting that that sensation is present, I was like, okay. But this is only my brain recognizing this sensation as such. There is nothing burning and the baby is coming. So I was back in, like, completely centered for experiencing this. And, I felt like I was a channel for new energy, and it was very profound. He came, like, his legs first. And, after that, I felt like he was that was not like big wiggles, but he was wiggling a bit like this, and it felt so nice. So, like, oh my god. He's wiggling. And I was, like, really, like, laughing. Like, oh, my baby's wiggling. As he came out, some parts of membranes was on over his heads. I, like, went that way, and he had, umbilical cords wrapped two times around his neck. I didn't give, like, I didn't care in sense of I know that he's fine and he's completely alive. It, it didn't have, like, any I didn't have, like, the that question in my head, is my baby fine or not? I knew that he was fine. And, when I wanted to unwrap that cord From one place, I felt that it is like, that maybe I can, in some way, hurt him. So I took from the other side and everything, like, went smoothly off. And that was, like, the very the only parts of giving birth and, seeing my baby that I was like, will this everything be fine? Like, that's, glance of fear. Other than that, I was, like, completely surrendered to the experience. And, I
Speaker 2
Are you are you alone in the bathroom this whole time?
Speaker 3
Yes. I enjoyed it completely. Nobody was bothering me. At one point, my ex partner came and told me, like, please please don't let the baby fall out. And, like, and I was like, go away. Go away. And, other than that, I was completely on alone. And I really, felt freedom in that because yeah. And, it was like the the divine experience. I I felt God. I was, I knew God. I was, like, completely surrendered to whatever he delivers me, and the baby was perfect. There was meck present. The water was, like, greenish, but not that much. Everything was completely fine. And knowing that all those things would be reasons for Caesarean, I was like, oh my god. How many babies end up being born born by a subsidiary. And, after that, I took my baby and there was, like, calling my kids and Andrea to come here to the bathroom, but they didn't hear me. So I went to the room, and my kids saw me, with the baby, and they were like
Speaker 2
Cute.
Speaker 3
Mom, this is a baby. It's here. Mom and the my oldest daughter, the she was, like, really in awe that there is a baby and, like, hour before I was pregnant.
Speaker 0
Mhmm.
Speaker 3
Although she wanted to witness how it looks for a baby to come out and to be born, I really wanted this to be mine and baby's experience. And they cried with me. I laid down immediately and took some a piece of chocolate that was shaky. And I wanted some chocolates, and I was, like, completely back again. And as I was, laughing and the placenta was, like, just dropped out of me, from that laughing, and every everything was, like, perfect, really. And and I now have a mother in in, like, in twelve days, the baby will have one year. Mhmm. So that is it, like, completely. But I I really, if I didn't, go through radical birthkeeper school, I don't know how would this end up. Like, that was, experience that led to this birth.
Speaker 2
Yeah.
Speaker 3
And I was really surrounded and held by beautiful sisters from the group. Mhmm. So what you are doing is, like, crazy and important. I know that you know that, but, like, in my life, I had, like, like, doors opened for me to really experience what sisterhood means. I didn't have that with friends female friends in my life. Yeah. And I do now.
Speaker 2
Yeah. I know. Yeah. Like a before and after.
Speaker 3
Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2
It's kind of a funny idea. Like, a picture of a woman, it'd be, like, the same picture. Picture. She could look exactly the same, but it could just be, like, before sisterhood and after sisterhood and just, like, all the results, like, everything that happens when you get that.
Speaker 3
Yeah. I was, for years, I was asking myself, where are those women? When will I have, like, women that I share this sisterly energy with? Where are they? And after the school, they appeared here in Serbia or other surrounding countries, and we are, like, connected now. And they also, rebirthed their babies.
Speaker 2
But I mean, that that's what's you you're such a good example because so many women new to this, you know, will be like, well, are there really women around me? Are there really women in my country or in my area? It's like, yeah. Yes.
Speaker 3
Yes. You're living proof. Yes. But it is funny that, like, for example, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is, like, country near near near my country, peep women are asking themselves how can they do that. Mhmm. Is it legal or and everything like that. But, if I can, you can. Mhmm. It's not like, oh, I can, but you cannot. I'm so sorry. It's like, yes. Do it. Yeah. So, yeah, we are, like, having some kind of small group. It is, really small, but, nevertheless, very powerful group. And we are in, every every each one of us is doing the work from their own experiences as they can and as they know how. And, the best thing that I, witnessed is that, friends that prebirthed a baby in May that I was serving like, I was coaching to do, was, like, a birthkeeper for her friends, several months ago. So it's happening. Mhmm. And because, there are not many midwives here
Speaker 2
Right.
Speaker 3
Some doulas are like, yeah. I know that there is no hierarchy here. I am stepping away from the doula kind of role, and they are with with only what they have going making integrity to serve women. So it's happening in a way that is really expanding, and I'm grateful to be a part of it. Some women know that they can come to me and seek, guidance, and I do that for them.
Speaker 2
Yeah. Let's end on that note. How can women find you online?
Speaker 3
I have Instagram accounts, matrya donecer dot com.
Speaker 2
Will you spell it?
Speaker 3
Yes. M a t r I j I. Bottom line, c o m. And, that is that is my place. I have a newsletter as well, but, they can reach me on Instagram easily.
Speaker 2
Cool. Beautiful. So proud of you.
Speaker 3
Thank you. Love it. I'm doing the work. Yes. And I attended one birth, like, two weeks weeks ago. Mhmm. And thank you.
Speaker 2
Amazing. That's awesome.
Speaker 3
Yes.
Speaker 2
So good. Thank you so much, Mina. So nice to have you.
Speaker 3
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2
I hope you enjoyed the show today. You can support this podcast by donating to it on free birth society dot com and leaving an awesome review on whatever platform you listen on. The more reviews, the more visibility the show gets, so let's spread the word of sovereign birth. We've always got a lot going on at Free Birth Society, and you can find out about all of it at free birth society dot com, at free birth society on Instagram, and opt in to my newsletter below in the show notes. We offer courses on free birth, authentic midwifery, and the blood mysteries, as well as one on one coaching, in person retreats, and, of course, our annual women's festival. Our exclusive vetted private membership is definitely something to check out if you're looking for a community of wise sisters. Together, we rise. We must speak our stories, claim our lives, and support one another. This is the living revolution, and I am so grateful to be in it with all of you. I'll leave you with our epic Free Birth Society theme song, Wild Woman by Aruba Red.
Speaker 4
I honor you for the wisdom you held, the ancient traditions of plant medicine and womb magic. I feel the spirit of the ancestors as I place my hands upon my belly. This sacred portal will be honored. Eons upon light beams of survival, withstanding the eradication of our power by design. I will not allow the separation of our young to be forced upon me. My sisters will no longer birth in captivity. The picket line redefined from burning our wild women to paralyzing us and drugging our babes. Strapped down in a clinical white bed, drying up the milk from our breasts, keep your needles. My family will never again be doomed to chase those dragons or your poison. We reject your fear. We choose love. Everything with intention. Death, ascension. I will fly and bring her back from the star.
