SALWA SALIM
Author | Speaker | Trainer
Malay Midwifery | Holistic Postpartum Traditions | Bengkung Belly Binding
Hello, I’m Salwa Salim, a Malay from Singapore, living in U.S. Rooted in the rich heritage of Malay midwifery, my life’s work is dedicated to revolutionizing maternal care by introducing holistic ancestral wisdom beyond medical care. Inspired by the transformative Malay postpartum care I witnessed from my mother when my nephew was born, I founded Mummy’s Massage in 2012 to provide in-home postpartum care for mothers across Singapore. By 2014, we expanded our reach with the opening of our massage clinic and the establishment of Mummy’s Fertility, offering comprehensive support through every stage of a woman’s reproductive journey—from fertility, pregnancy, and miscarriage recovery to postpartum care, serving thousands of women to date.
After relocating to Washington D.C. in 2016 while five months pregnant, I was taken aback with the significant gaps in U.S. postpartum care. This experience led to the establishment of Birth Matron in 2022—with the objective of enhancing postpartum care by educating birth professionals in holistic practices beyond medical care and supplying essential care products, collaborating with birth centers, health and wellness clinics, and midwifery practices to elevate the standard of care.
Marrying science with ancient healing practices, I possess a unique disposition shaped by the wisdom passed down through my family lineage of traditional midwives—originating from my great-grandmother, a village midwife in Penang—and my formal education. I received a scholarship from National University Hospital Singapore in 2008 and completed my degree in Medical Imaging. Working in government hospitals and private clinics has further enhanced my understanding of women’s reproductive health.
I’ve gained national recognition in Singapore, with media acclaim and invitations for collaborations with universities, museums, the National Heritage Board, and UNESCO projects. My influence is expanding in the U.S., where I’ve been featured on platforms like Fox News and Good Morning DC and engaged in various speaking events. I’m also pioneering international training retreats in Malaysia, fostering significant intercultural exchanges and enhancing global maternal health practices.
I am deeply grateful for the influential women in my life, especially my mother, Mama Gie, and my sisters, Mylia and Nadia, whose contributions have been indispensable. Their support, along with the countless Malay practitioners, massage therapists, herbalists, and midwives I’ve met, drives my mission to mainstream belly binding and elevate Malay globally with Birth Matron as the premier postpartum care supplier. I am also authoring a groundbreaking book on Malay Birth Traditions and aspire to pursue a PhD in medical anthropology to deepen my impact on maternal health. Ultimately, I plan to complete my midwifery training in the footsteps of my ancestors and honor them by dedicating my skills to serve the underserved as a volunteer midwife, continuing a legacy of compassionate care.
Beyond my professional life, I am first and foremost a wife and mother, residing in the Washington D.C. metro area with my Black American husband and our three sons. We cherish our annual travels to Singapore and Malaysia, reconnecting with our roots, and seize every opportunity to explore new countries along the way. At home, I revel in walking barefoot through my herbal garden and I am still hopeful I will find more moments to indulge in my favorite genre of satirical sci-fi and experience the exhilarating freedom of motorcycle rides.