In this warm and deeply moving episode, host Chetana sits down with Rachel — a mother, visionary, and midwifery student from Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia — who turned her own transformative birth experience into a mission to bring gentle, dignified birth care to one of the most underserved regions in the world.
Rachel shares how a VBAC at Bumi Sehat in Bali — under the care of the legendary Ibu Robin Lim — changed the entire course of her life. Returning home to Papua, she and her husband Ronald built AHBS (Angel Hiromi Bumi Sehat Papua) from the ground up: starting with just a plot of land, moving their own furniture into the building, and slowly gathering the equipment, midwives, and mentorship needed to open their doors in December 2019.
This episode is a love letter to the women of Papua — and to everyone who believes that every mother, no matter where she lives, deserves to be treated like a goddess.
In this episode we cover:
- Rachel's first C-section, and the longing for a normal birth that led her to Robin Lim in Bali
- What a VBAC at Bumi Sehat felt like — and why it changed everything
- The founding of Angel Hiromi Bumi Sehat (AHBS) - the only midwife-led birth center in Papua
- The role of Augustine (Maggie) in bringing gentle birth philosophy to Papua — and why her six-month visit left a lasting imprint
- Why Rachel decided to enroll in midwifery school herself — after her own staff told her she "knew nothing"
- The ongoing challenge of training midwives in gentle birth when mainstream protocols dominate
- What changed in the birth rooms after Chetana's visit — upright births, birthing balls, dim lighting, and mothers who don't want to go home
- Rachel's vision for AHBS: a third floor, an operating room for gentle cesareans, a dedicated training space, and an ultrasound room
- How AHBS is funded — and what continued support looks like
Resources & Links:
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🤝 Support AHBS - Travel with us to Papua: Join Chetana and a group of midwives visiting AHBS in August 2025 — more details on
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What is Midwifery Wisdom Podcast ?
Welcome to the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast
This podcast is your go-to resource for practical education, thoughtful insights, and relevant conversations tailored to modern midwives.
Each week, we bring fresh content and engaging guest speakers to explore key themes in midwifery, including:
Advocacy, business, and clinical skills
Self-care and professional growth
Current issues shaping midwifery today
Listen to meaningful stories and essential advice from leading midwives working to elevate care for families across the globe. Gain clarity, encouragement, and actionable guidance to support your business, practice, and personal life.
Wherever you are in your journey, the Midwifery Wisdom Podcast is here to empower you. Together, we strive to make midwifery the gold standard of care worldwide.