Join us at any point in pregnancy to gather information and nurture mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing in preparation for birth and parenting.

Born to Thrive Pregnancy is a special pregnancy support cohort where we bring together meditation, somatic science, and birth preperation to better navigate the ‘contractions of life’ in preparation for the contractions of labor (and parenting!). Born to Thrive is for moms who want to feel more grounded, connected and prepared at this important time of life. (Formerly known as “Cov Pregnancy”)

5 Weeks to reduce stress, gather information, and flourish in pregnancy and beyond — Next session starts April 21st, 2026 — Live Online — For early, mid, or late pregnancy — Discount for moms already enrolled in a MBNY Childbirth Class

REGISTRATION NOTE: WE ARE HAVING A GLITCH WITH THE WEBSITE. PLEASE REGISTER BY EMAILING INFO@MINDFULBIRTHNY.COM OR MINDFULBIRTHNY@GMAIL.COM. THANK YOU!

With one of the nation’s most experienced doulas and birth educators, Mary Esther Malloy, MA; pioneering psychologist Aisha Williams, PhD; and international meditation instructor, Jackie Stewart, MA.

Our systems want balance. Our bodies want to heal. Our minds and hearts want to be relaxed and connected. At Born to Thrive, we explore HOW to make contact with this foundational wellness no matter the ups and downs of life, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Our focus is on mental and emotional wellness in pregnancy, with mom-to-mom support and the most beautifully effective somatic and meditative practices at the center of our sessions to support nervous system regulation.

We welcome ALL moms, including VBAC, and anyone navigating anxiety, pregnancy challenges, or systemic inequities that can affect mom and baby. Join us at Born to Thrive! AI has never once given birth, nor will it. Come join real people to navigate this very human experience of pregnancy, birth, and early parenting.

If you are early in your pregnancy, somewhere in the middle, or in your final trimester, join us to …

• Nurture your mental and emotional well-being with time-tested and cutting edge practices to benefit you and your baby now, in pregnancy, and beyond
• Share your experiences and get information in a sane and supported way
• Create the foundation for a healthy family culture where everyone can thrive
• Connect with an amazing community of other pregnant moms 

Pregnancy is a hugely impactful time for your young person doing their earliest development. It is an important time of transition for you as you stretch into motherhood. Sometimes the waters can feel pretty choppy! Born to Thrive is a safe and protected place to share your experiences, ask your questions, and learn practices that have the potential to positively affect you and your family for years to come. We’d love to have you join us!

Explore Born to Thrive Pregnancy Practices

We connect, we share, and we practice…

• Guided Meditations – for greater calm, clarity, and compassion and capacity to cope with all that is asked of you in pregnancy, birth, and early parenting 
• Healthy Pregnancy Protocols – for their potential to increase blood flow to the placenta and minimize the risk of many pregnancy complications, according to research 
• Exercises to Deepen Connection with Baby – for busy people in the age of distraction to slow down, be present, and connect
• Restorative Support for Sleep in Pregnancy, including techniques you can use for labor as well
• Resilience Techniques to prepare yourself, inside and out, for parenting and family life, creating the foundation for a healthy family culture where everyone can thrive

Our Story: Mary Esther & Aisha & Jackie

We are a perinatal professional, a psychologist, and a meditation teacher. We are also mothers. 

Pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting have been among the most meaningful things we have done in our lives. And among the hardest. Without question, all three of us have found the joy factor goes way up and the anxiety factor goes way down when we are richly connected to other moms and we are doing practices to support our own wellbeing. 

Leaning into both, we first developed Born to Thrive for ourselves. We met over years as wellness professionals and friends with the heartfelt intention of supporting each other as fellow moms on the parenting path. Each of us has a different background and distinct tools we offer the people we support as coach, teacher, doula. In our weekly gatherings we listened deeply to one another and shared the best of what we do — the things that really move the dial for our clients. We experimented, explored, and created Born to Thrive. 

We have been sharing Born to Thrive for years now with pregnant moms because we get it. We get how helpful it is to have a safe space to gather information in a sane way. We get how precious it is to have a place to feel all the feelings. We get how impactful it is to have do-able practices that support nervous system regulation, especially for those facing systemic inequities in maternity care. Families have resonated with the view we share that deeper down, we all have a kind of inner stability. Our systems want balance. Our bodies want to heal. Our minds and hearts want to be relaxed and connected. Our nervous systems want to be settled. We want to thrive. We want our children to thrive. We are, in fact, born to thrive. The practices we explore here help us connect with this foundational wellness, no matter what is going on in our lives.

Between the three of us, we have six boys and one girl. We have had easy pregnancies and difficult pregnancies. We have each experienced miscarriage. One of us conceived after a long IVF journey. We have birthed in hospitals, at birth centers, and in our homes. We have been cared for by midwives and obstetricians and doulas. We have experienced all manner of breastfeeding challenges and all manner of breastfeeding and parenting delights. We get it.

We have benefited so much as parents and people from Born to Thrive, especially the synthesis practice we call C.O.V.E. Our families have benefited. We want the same for you and your family.

Born to Thrive is a peaceful, protected place in pregnancy to stretch into motherhood, in the good company of others. We are excited to share this approach to childbirth and parenting with you.Welcome!

More about Mary Esther, Aisha, and Jackie.

Born to Thrive Pregnancy is designed to support and empower you as you transition through pregnancy and into motherhood. Through a blend of storytelling, somatic practices, neuroscience, and heartfelt connections, this program offers a nurturing space where participants can explore their unique journeys, heal from within, and build meaningful relationships with others on the same path. Each week focuses on a different aspect of wellbeing — starting with the body, heart, mind, and community — culminating in a celebratory online retreat that integrates all the practices learned.

This is more than just a course; it is a call to explore practices that help you embrace the beauty, strength, and wisdom within you as you step into motherhood. Whether you’re experiencing this journey for the first time or navigating it once again, you will find support, connection, and inspiration among a community of like-hearted women. 

Discount for moms already enrolled in an MBNY Childbirth Class. Email info@mindfulbirthny.com.

Born to Thrive Pregnancy is a special practice program for pregnant moms. For Childbirth Classes for you AND your partner, click here.