From Veganism and Medwives to Farming and Freebirth: The Magical Life of Julia Hempe

From Veganism and Medwives to Farming and Freebirth: The Magical Life of Julia Hempe

Author: Emilee Saldaya May 10, 2024 Duration: 1:06:47

Watch this episode HERE

Today on the show I welcome one of my closest friends and favorite people, Julia. Julia lives here in community with us, and so I’m extra excited to have her on to share her story. Julia is a truly wild mother of 3, turns out - soon to be 4, a homesteader, a gorgeous and insanely talented homemaker, and really just the embodiment of strength, fortitude, and integrity. Can you tell I adore her? She has freebirthed twice, and the second time she *literally* labored right here on my land, the Matriarch Rising Festival grounds! How magical is that?

Julia began her mothering journey quite young, having found her sweetheart at age 17. When Julia found herself unexpectedly pregnant she was already living outside mainstream culture and knew she didn’t want to birth in the hospital. Sadly though, the medical midwife she hired found ways to create drama throughout her pregnancy and birth.

A huge awakening, followed by a move from L.A. to North Carolina to figure out this homestead life, brought Julia’s and my family together in organic friendship. It’s all very cute, she invited me to be her birth attendant, our husbands met and fell in love, and the rest is herstory. Though she and her family have certainly faced challenges living this rural farm lifestyle, Julia consistently devotes herself to her family, community, and the fullness of her family’s vision.

Julia’s two freebirths were very different experiences. The birth of her son although powerful and sweet, hit her very hard, so for the birth of her daughter she *chose* pleasure and presence.

Julia’s story is such a powerful reminder that we can make big choices in our lives and really manifest our dream reality. Come see the beautiful land Julia fell in love with too, at Matriarch Rising Festival this summer! Go to Matriarchrisingfestival.com to get your tickets today. Once you experience community here, you may just have to return home and create it for yourself! Julia will be leading the toddler yoga and mother meet ups at MRF, so come join in and say hi to my bestie.

Here’s what you’ll hear in Julia’s story:

✨How she loved being pregnant for the first time, but was constantly fear mongered by her medical midwife.

✨Her first drama filled first birth with a licensed midwife.

✨Covid in L.A. and her family’s big leap relocating to North Carolina.

✨Homesteading while pregnant and the fast and really rocking freebirth of her son.

✨Rural living and her family’s various moves to find their farm land here in WNC.

✨The intensity of the end of her pregnancy.

✨The fast but dreamy and pain-free freebirth of her daughter.

✨Her community supported postpartum.

✨Experiencing three generations of women at MRF.

⭐ Matriarch Rising Festival: Get your tickets NOW! - https://www.matriarchrisingfestival.com

⭐ Don't miss the MatriBirth Midwifery Institute,  Enrollment opens May 20th!!

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Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact info@freebirthsociety.com. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms.


Emilee Saldaya hosts Free Birth Society, a podcast that delves into the profound and personal choice of freebirth. This is not a discussion about home birth with professional support, but an intimate exploration of childbirth that unfolds without midwives, doulas, or medical intervention, guided solely by the birthing person and their family. Through conversations with wild women from around the globe, each episode presents a raw and unfiltered narrative, focusing on the lived experiences, the emotional landscapes, and the deep, often unspoken trust in the body's innate wisdom. These stories are honest, sometimes gripping, and frequently transformative, challenging mainstream perceptions of safety and authority. The dialogue within this podcast serves as both education and a form of self-improvement, examining the reclaiming of autonomy and the reconnection to ancestral knowledge. Listeners will hear not just the mechanics of unassisted birth, but the philosophical and personal journeys that lead individuals to this path. Emilee, as founder and guide, facilitates these discussions with a clear, grounded presence, allowing the complexity and beauty of each story to resonate. This podcast is for those curious about the edges of conventional maternity care, seeking to understand a paradigm where birth is treated as a private, powerful, and physiological event rather than a medical procedure. The Free Birth Society podcast creates a space for these rarely heard voices, offering a tapestry of experiences that are, above all, true to themselves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Free Birth Society
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