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Valentina's resources are below this description

Born on a tiny river boat in Colombia during a tropical storm, Valentina grows up across continents and later lands in Switzerland working in maternal health and gender equity. Then pregnancy hits and theory becomes real. Hyperemesis gravidarum leaves her sick for months, and she learns how quickly a system can turn “protocol” into pressure when a mother is exhausted and vulnerable.

We talk through what informed consent actually sounds like when your waters break, time starts ticking, and someone pushes oxytocin or an early induction at Triemli Stadtspital Zurich. Valentina shares how she asks for the least invasive option, gets second and third opinions, and holds her ground even when it makes the room uncomfortable. She also opens up about postpartum anxiety and that disorienting early feeling of “is this my baby?” plus the relief of finally getting clear mental health guidance instead of vague reassurance.

Then the breastfeeding story deepens. Persistent pain gets brushed off again and again until she finds La Leche League support and starts connecting the dots to oral restrictions, including posterior tongue tie and lip tie. From there, we follow her through breastfeeding after breast implant complications and surgery, a second pregnancy with better care, a planned home birth that transfers to hospital, and the surprisingly complex beauty of tandem feeding and child-led weaning.

If you care about birth stories in Switzerland, doula support, breastfeeding help, tongue tie assessment, and maternal rights, this conversation will stay with you. Subscribe, share this with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the support they deserve.

Valentina's Resources:

Aline Schneckenburger who was also my therapist (perinatal psychologist) for all these years

Ximena Silva who is also known as the birth fairy for the Spanish speaking mamas. Her company is called Nacer -

midwife for the home birth

Christine Faessler

Postpartum Hebammes and former colleagues

Haerzklopfä Hebamme

Surgeon who performed the implant explant and removed my implants during my first lactation journey:

Dr. med. Alessia Lardi

Valentina's information and contact:

1) VSV Perinatal Health & Equity Consulting - services as a gender and health policy analyst and as an IBCLC

2) Barbells & Plates | perinatal strength training for pregnancy and postnatal recovery -

3) LinkedIn -

IG: valsvelandia

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