The whole process as a new family can feel like a re-birthing of ourselves. The binding period including the establishment of lactation and breastfeeding is magical and still so natural. This precious time of our lives gives us the possibility of rememberance and reestablishment of trust in the natural flow of things. Then, there can be space for the baby to teach us and lead the way. 

My full name is Isabel Grafe (born 1981) and I was raised in Germany where there lives a very strong tradition of midwifery. After my undergraduate international diploma in social work, I pursued the three year education to become a midwife. After medical training in three hospitals, I was fortunate to join a very well established worker-cooperative birth center in Hamburg.

In 2009, I was exposed to indigenous traditions of birthing in Guatemala. In 2013, my wings grew wider and I started traveling. Amidst my journey, I was compelled by my heart to serve in Leyte, Philippines at a birth center established by Ibu Robin Lim in response to Typhoon Yolanda.

Ever since, I have been supporting the movement for gentle birthing in the Philippines. From 2014-2022 I´ve spent most of the year on the beautiful island Palawan.

It has been a true honor serving in support of many gentle (water) births across the archipelago. My service also included birth preparation courses, prenatal check ups, home visits, pelvic floor gymnastic and strengthening courses, and guided water movement, Inner Womb sessions, Theta Healing and Hypnosis (scroll down to learn more).

January 31 2019, I initiated myself as a midwife again by giving birth to my son Laya (Tagalog word for “free”). This transcendent experience taking place at the ocean gifted me with even more strength to support gentle pregnancy, births and post partum experiences.

Since June 2022 my son Laya, my cat Muna and me made the move over the pacific to start a new chapter in San Cristobal de las Casas in Mexico. As I speak Spanish, my work is it now to support as well locals and expats on their journeys to become parents.