Mary Kalau

Originally from Seattle, I now live just outside of Frankfurt with my Swiss husband. We are the proud parents of two wonderful young adults who continue to teach us all sorts of things we had no idea we needed to learn!

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My journey into this work began in 1997 in New York when I was invited to attend the birth of a dear friend’s baby as her massage therapist. She had hired a doula and when I witnessed the gentle and loving ways the doula supported, not only the birthing mother and her partner, but the medical staff as well, I knew that I had found my life’s work. I became a certified doula in 1998 and have had the privilege and shared joy of supporting hundreds of birthing people and their families in numerous hospitals, birth centers and homes in New York City, Stockholm, Sweden and throughout Switzerland.

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I believe that when mind, body and soul are in harmony, birth can be calm, peaceful and pleasurable! As a Spinning Babies® Parent Educator and a certified Hypnobirthing® instructor, I have found that magic happens when combining the SB® approach that brings balance to the birthing person’s body with the Hypnobirthing® techniques that quiet her mind, center her soul and bring serenity to her very core.

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As birth workers, the same must hold true for us. Life is intense, busy and wonderfully messy for most of us. Learning ways to center ourselves and find balance between the beautiful work we do and our families is key to the longevity of doing it. Self-care is vital and this retreat is one way all of us can take a deep dive into finding our center again and meaningfully connecting with others who share our passion for better birth!

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As part of the Nurturing Birth Mentoring Team, I find that it is an open exchange of learning with each doula that I’m honored to mentor. Our stories intertwine and we have much to learn from each other. I so look forward to meeting you and to walking beside you as you share your story and we learn from one another in the Netherlands!