In this episode of Pathways & Perspectives, Marouf sits down with Robin Lim, internationally recognized midwife, author, and founder of the Bumi Sehat Foundation in Bali. Robin shares how becoming a teenage mother, growing up with a family lineage of traditional midwives, and later losing her sister to pregnancy complications shaped her life’s work.

The conversation explores the philosophy behind gentle birth and Robin’s belief that childbirth should be approached not only as a medical event, but also as a physical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual transition. They discuss breastfeeding, cesarean birth, the role of fathers, fear during pregnancy, and the importance of balancing modern medicine with traditional knowledge.

A central part of the conversation focuses on the placenta, lotus birth, and why Robin believes the placenta deserves greater respect than being treated simply as medical waste. She also shares stories from decades of attending births, including an emergency birth and postpartum hemorrhage on an airplane over the Pacific.

Key Takeaways:

1. Birth is more than a medical event

Robin sees childbirth as a biological, emotional, cultural, and spiritual experience. Her approach combines modern medical care with traditional practices and respect for the family’s beliefs.

2. The placenta deserves a different conversation

Robin challenges the common view of the placenta as medical waste. She discusses its biological role, its cultural and spiritual significance in Southeast Asia, and the practice of lotus birth.

3. Traditional knowledge and modern medicine can coexist

Rather than rejecting medicine, Robin advocates for collaboration between midwives, doctors, doulas, families, and traditional knowledge. She describes cesarean birth as a lifesaving intervention when medically necessary.

4. Support can profoundly shape the birth experience

From breastfeeding to labor and postpartum recovery, Robin emphasizes the importance of surrounding mothers with practical, emotional, and nutritional support.

5. Fathers and partners have an active role

Robin encourages fathers to speak and sing to their babies, support the mother throughout pregnancy, and become active participants in the birth rather than passive observers.

(10:52) Teenage motherhood, Robin’s sister’s death, and the beginning of her life’s mission

(17:16) Modern medicine, cesarean birth, and finding balance in maternity care

(25:20) What the placenta is and why Robin believes it should be respected

(35:21) Lotus birth, keeping the cord intact, and the debate around safety

(40:53) Traditional uses of the placenta and postpartum hemorrhage

(50:39) The extraordinary airplane birth story

(55:08) The role of fathers and partners during pregnancy and childbirth

(56:46) Fear of childbirth and the pressures facing mothers today

(59:15) Surrender, balance, and what decades around birth have taught Robin

(01:02:20) Supporting Bumi Sehat and Robin’s closing message of “family first”