Welcome to the Free Birth Podcast, a supportive space for people who are learning, exploring and

celebrating their autonomous choices in childbirth.

Together, we'll unpack truths, share personal stories,

and claim our ability to birth freely and intuitively. Here's your host, Emily Sal day. Exciting news listeners, the Free Birth Society apparel store has opened.

Head on over to Free Birth Society.com and check out the adorable onesies and

toddler shirts adult tank tops hoodies and more all celebrating messages of free

birth again that's www dot free Birth Society.com

I'm excited to be releasing a two-part episode with my new dear friend Katia, who just recently had her free birth in the

Dominican Republic about a month ago. Part one dives into the depressing

birth culture of Dominican Republic and Katya's pretty wild first birth where she had to spend the majority of her labor

driving six hours to reach home and had a traditional birth attendant waiting for her.

Katya also shares her list of fearful possibilities that she had to come to terms with in order to free birth her second baby. Why don't we start with wherever you think that your journey begins?

Well Emily, first of all, I just want to thank you so much for being such a bright light, for being

a badass goddess, a feisty priestess.

Your podcast has been so amazing and I didn't know about it until very Lacey,

a friend, a mutual friend. Lacey and I did a yoga teacher training in India together several years ago and we kept

in touch and I just love her so much.

Where in India?

In Rishikesh in the north.

Yeah, it was an amazing experience

and she's such a special soul.

But you know, I, when I learned that she was planning a free birth I have to be

...