Founder of BSM

Halima Nalo Afi

I am a midwife because I believe that mothers manifest attributes of mercy & compassion. I am honored to witness each woman’s blessed and unique journey, as they draw from a source greater than themselves, in order to bring each soul into the world. My goal is to assist women in fulfilling the vision of their birth passage. I encourage mothers to respect and nurture themselves. I approach each mother’s well-being with a holistic and empowerment-based philosophy. I do not have my own agenda with your care. I am committed to each family’s material, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and wishes. I would love the opportunity to be a source of empowerment and encouragement for all women as they navigate their journey to positive parenting through cultivating gratitude and implementing a more meaningful shared decision-making process.

My Background 

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and I now live in the San Francisco Bay Area. My journey began with attending the births of my mother’s seven children. As a youth I began to see birth as a natural part of womanhood. My mother says I was a great comfort to her; very calm, trusting, and gentle. When it was suggested that my firstborn be guided by home birth midwives, it felt right and more supportive than with my ob-gyn, where I was invited to share how my own birth impacted my life. I knew from my first pregnancy over twenty-two years ago that I wanted to provide that source of empowering, encouraging, informative care to other women. The type of care that walks with you, sits in your living room, in your kitchen, holding your children, witnessing your growth, and supporting the birth of your parenting, the birth of love and compassion. Life is created in the womb, and I believe our bodies were designed to nourish life and give birth. 

I have been blessed to study midwifery since 2004 through the Direct Entry Pathway. I have done midwifery internships in Texas, Utah, California, and East Africa (Kenya and Somaliland).  I am grateful and indebted to all the families, birth workers and midwives who have passed down their wisdom from home birth, birth center and hospital care.

• Bachelor of Science in Midwifery, Midwives College of Utah, 2020
• Certified Professional Midwife, North American Registry of Midwives, 2019
• Licensed Midwife, State of California, 2019  
• Certified Lactation Counselor, CLC

I am a member of the Black Midwives Alliance, National Association of Certified Professional Midwives, and the California Association of Licensed Midwives (CALM). I partake in current holistic evidence-based midwifery care and continuing education units in BLS, ALSO, and neonatal resuscitation to further my skills and knowledge in traditional midwifery wisdom. Contributing to the birth community as a midwife hopefully will awaken my own aspirations to honor and trust the beauty of birth. In my free time, I like to hike remote areas or forest bathe, cook vegetables, and teach Qur’anic Arabic with Measured Tones Institute.