Matilde
"During my last trip to Bolivia I had the opportunity to speak to different women about their birth experiences and it became clear to me how much the medical views of the west are overshadowing and risking to erase the ancient knowledge and the craftsmanship that traditional midwives own. I am passionate about combining evidence, creativity and anthropology with the personal needs and experiences of each one. "
About me:
I am born and raised in Bolivia, my mother is a teacher and my father is an anthropologist. My mother breastfed me and my sister for 2,5 years each, this is something that I carry with me as a gift and that has made me positive to breastfeeding since the start. My fathers work with the indigenous population of Bolivia has always been a great inspiration.
During my last trip to Bolivia I had the opportunity to speak to different women about their birth experiences and it became clear to me how much the medical views of the west are overshadowing and risking to erase the ancient knowledge and the craftsmanship that traditional midwives own. I am passionate about combining evidence, creativity and anthropology with the personal needs and experiences of each one.
During a workshop with Raquel Koya, who works as a doula at the Peruvian birth house Ruruchay, I gained thought-provoking insights into how my Andean origin can accompany me right into the world of childbirth with all the knowledge that traditional birthing means. Therefore, it is an ambition and desire to explore this further.
I have two great passions in life that I’m always going back and forth with. On one side, I’m a registered nurse working at the postpartum ward and have prior experience working at the children's hospital. On the other side, I recently debuted as author, I am an editor at the literary magazine Ordkonst and are currently working on my second novel when not being on maternity leave struggling with mom brain...
I have completed two doula trainings: in 2024 with Alison Akan and in 2026 I became a certified Hypnodoula held by Opokua Britton.
Working with childbirth has come to have great significance for me. It is partly a question of equal care and protecting one's rights and wishes as a birthing person, and partly to witness life's most transformative moments: in all their rawness, tenderness and power. Having the honor of being there as physical and emotional support through that journey is something I will never take for granted.
I like to be well prepared and to have studied for all new experiences; pregnaancy and birth wasn’t an exception. Me and my partner chose to attend a Hypnobirthing class held by Nandi Zulu. This has been a great asset to us, through both pregnancy and birth, and now, in parenthood.
My breastfeeding journey has not been easy, but it is an experience that has been an useful resource to me when helping others. Both at the children’s hospital and at the post partum ward I have been able to assist, trouble shoot and support families during their first days of breastfeeding. This is why lactation is such a big interest to me, meaning I gladly talk about it and I’m happy to show all the different ways to have a positive and smooth start with breastfeeding your baby.