Aspired Mother

11/06/2025

What if the tool meant to keep birth safer… doesn’t?

Nearly every mother giving birth in a U.S. hospital is strapped to continuous fetal monitoring, yet decades of research show it rarely improves outcomes. Instead, it often drives unnecessary interventions and cesareans.

Now, hospitals are outsourcing birth even further, to remote AI monitoring hubs, some up to 60 miles away from where mothers are laboring.

The calls out what many birth workers already know: profit and liability too often outweigh presence and evidence.

Birth deserves better.

Mothers deserve better.

Technology should support intuition, not replace it.

📰 Read the full piece: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/health/electronic-fetal-monitoring-c-sections.html?unlocked_article_code=1.zE8.145f.FPhFANzFoVZp&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

07/16/2025

You’ve probably heard it before: “Don’t bother with a birth plan, birth is unpredictable.”

But here’s the truth: A birth plan (or what I prefer to call birth preference sheet) isn’t about control, it’s about clarity.

It's about walking into your birth space feeling prepared, not passive. It’s a way to share your values, your needs, and the kind of support that helps you feel safe.

► It’s not about scripting the outcome.
► It’s about setting intention.
► It’s about creating shared understanding.

Whether you're giving birth at home, in a birth center, or in the hospital— your preferences matter.

And so does your voice.

Inside this post:
► What to include
► Sample language
► Tips for working with your provider
► Ayurvedic insights to honor your birth as ceremony

Because birth doesn’t have to go exactly as planned to be deeply empowering.
It just needs to feel like you were part of the story.

► Save this for your third trimester prep
► Share it with your birth team
► And most of all, trust that your wishes are worthy.

Doula Brooke

📸 Shout-out to for the great shot of me feeding right after the birth of baby S.

07/15/2025

Morning, sis.
I’ve been meaning to share my go-to providers for a while now.

This is for the mama who’s building her village with intention—one trusted soul at a time.

When I recommend someone, it’s because they blend skill and soul. I’d trust them with my own babies—and yours too.

So here we go.
Community Partner Spotlights start now.
First up: the incredible Jennifer Perigord, OTR/L 🤲🏻

Pediatric Occupational Therapist | MNRI® Specialist | Emotion Code Practitioner | Reiki Master

I am are honored to spotlight a deeply aligned and heart-led healer in our community: Jennifer Perigord, a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience walking alongside families through every season of childhood.

Jennifer brings a rare and beautiful fusion of clinical excellence and holistic healing. Trained in the MNRI® method, she supports children, including medically fragile infants, through gentle, developmentally rooted care that meets the nervous system where it’s at. Whether navigating motor delays, sensory challenges, or complex diagnoses, Jennifer’s work is about creating pathways for growth, integration, and lasting transformation.

But her care doesn’t stop at the child. As a mother of two and a trauma-informed practitioner, Jennifer is also a Certified Emotion Code Practitioner and Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki Master, offering powerful support for parents who are carrying invisible stories and seeking a safe space to heal.

In her practice, science and spirit meet. Compassion and insight lead. Her mission? To help children reach their fullest potential and to hold parents as they come home to themselves, one layer at a time.

We are so grateful for her presence and partnership in this community of care.

✨ Learn more about Jennifer’s work or connect with her offerings by visiting her over at or Holistic Family Occupational Therapy, LLC

xo
Doula Brooke 🤍

07/14/2025

Ah, Braxton Hicks… those curious “practice contractions” that can catch many expecting mothers by surprise! ✨

These tightenings are your body’s beautiful, innate way of preparing for the real work ahead, strengthening your uterus and helping it get ready for labor. While they don’t cause cervical change, they are an important part of your pregnancy journey.

You might notice your belly suddenly becoming firm or tight, almost like baby is curling into a little ball. These sensations tend to be irregular and may come and go throughout the day. They aren’t usually painful, though they can feel a bit uncomfortable at times.

Common triggers include:
🤰🏻A full bladder
🤰🏻Dehydration
🤰🏻Too much activity
🤰🏻Even just being on your feet too long

If you’re feeling them, here are some time-honored ways to soothe your body:

- SIP WATER. Hydration is your best friend here.
- REST OR CHANGE POSITIONS. Try lying down on your side or taking a gentle stroll if you’ve been sitting.
- HAVE A NOURISHING SNACK. Keeping blood sugar steady can ease discomfort.
- BREATHE DEEPLY OR MEDITATE. Calm your nervous system with soft, rhythmic breaths.
- MOVE MINDFULLY. A short, slow-paced walk can sometimes ease the tightness.

And remember: Always check in with your midwife or care provider if you’re unsure. They can help you sort out what’s “practice” and what might be the real thing.

Your body is wise, and it knows exactly what to do. Trust it. Rest when needed. And know that every tightening brings you closer to meeting your baby.

xo
Doula Brooke ✨🤍✨

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07/12/2025

✨🤍✨

07/05/2025

Pregnancy doesn’t revoke your rights.

From day one, the system will try to convince you otherwise:
🚩 “This is just how it’s done.”
🚩 “Trust us, we’ve done this before.”
🚩 “You have to follow protocol.”

But you are not required to surrender your voice to anyone.
Autonomy is not granted, it’s yours by birthright.

🌿 Choose where and how you birth.
🌿 Decline what doesn’t feel aligned.
🌿 Keep asking why again and again.

Your body isn’t suddenly broken because it’s pregnant.
It’s sacred. It’s wise. It’s yours.

xo
Doula Brooke

07/03/2025

🌺 Birth trauma is not just what occurs at birth, but what also occurs afterwards. Take it seriously and get the help so you can be the best version of yourself.

Sowania and her team are here to support you.

In-person and telehealth sessions available.

www.SowaniaGermainlmhc.com

07/02/2025

In the hush of early evening, just after the veil parted and baby W arrived earthside at 5:25pm, we honored the first mark, his footprint.

Not just ink on paper, but his soul’s declaration:
“I am here. I’ve crossed the threshold.”

This is more than a routine hospital ritual. It’s a moment etched into the great unfolding. The baby’s first impression on this world.The mother’s first glimpse at the sacred path she just walked through.

In Ayurveda, the feet hold marma points, gateways of life force. And this tiny sole, still damp from the womb, holds power, promise, and the mystery of becoming.

As a doula, there’s a deep sense of honor in being witness to this rite of passage, this exact breath in time when a woman became a mother and a new soul made their earthly debut.

Welcome, little one. May your steps be guided, your journey protected, and your path rooted in love. 🌿

xo
Doula Brooke

06/05/2025

06/05/2025