Meet Hiroko Aoyagi | Licensed Midwife

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hiroko Aoyagi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hiroko, how does your business help the community?
It is evidence-based that midwifery care improves birth outcomes. Midwives provide care that lowers mortality, preterm, cesarean rate, and many other complications. I experienced home birth with the support of midwives and I can say that not only do midwives help in better outcomes but also their emotional support will help guide parents to confidently embark on their parenting journey and will empower them in the long term. I strongly believe that midwifery care is the public health that helps and saves the community and the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I was born and raised in Japan. Over the course of my childhood, I lived in the States. First when I was 7 years old. Being exposed in different cultures at a young age shaped me into who I am now. I came back again in high school and college as a foreign exchange student. Every time I came to the US, the experiences impacted my worldview. I naturally realized that people have various upbringings, cultural backgrounds, and boundaries. What’s “normal” for me can be different for others. I developed empathy.

After I graduated college I worked in a corporate world. I got married and had my daughter in the hospital in Japan. Although my daughter was born healthy, it was not a pleasant experience. In 2005, I moved to Los Angeles with my husband and my daughter. I knew I wanted to have different birth experiences. My journey to become a midwife began with my two home births. When I discovered home birth, I jumped right in. I knew that was what I wanted. With the help and support from my midwife, I was able to make my own decisions to birth in the way I felt safe and comfortable. I felt so cared for and empowered in every phase of my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I still remember very clearly the feeling of joy, relief, and a mixture of feelings that I can’t even put into words. that I never had with my first birth. I gradually grew to feel how wonderful it would be to support others who seek similar experiences.

In 2020, I graduated from Nizhoni Institute of Midwifery. After working as a birth doula and placenta encapsulation specialist, I became a licensed midwife in April 2021. I’ve attended over 200 births. I currently work at Kindred Space LA birthing center as well as have my private midwifery practice.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d definitely take her to local beaches (closest to me is Playa del Rey or Venice) and take a walk on the bike path. I love hiking so either just taking her to a short hike to Baldwin Hill Overlook which is very close to my house or a hike to a train in Malibu canyon. My best friends are from Japan mainly so I’d want them to experience different cultures of LA so getting tacos from a taco stands, going to the Thai town and eating Thai food and may getting some Thai massages, or going to Korea town to get some Korean food and also hang out at a Korean spa will be great. Thrift store shopping can be also fun to do. I also want to take them to see the Kindred Space LA birthing center where I work.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Kimberly Durdin and Allegra Hill from Kindred Space LA My family (my husband Yoshi and my three wonderful kids)

Website: bluewillowbirth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluewillowbirth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluewillowbirth