.01

About Me

I’m Desiree. I’m a postpartum, birth, and bereavement doula, and a certified lactation counselor. I live and work in the Central Arkansas area. I’ve got two children, and I’m married to my favorite person, RJ. We’ve also got two unruly hound mix dogs- Appa and Momo. In our spare time (ha!) we watch movies, read books, play games, and keep bees. We have an abundance of family, and I’m particularly attached to my 4 sisters, and my dozen nieces and nephews. I’m also so incredibly fortunate to work with and be friends with some amazing women. They encourage and inspire me in my work, my mothering, my partnering, and in being the best me that I can be.

I started my journey to the birthing and baby world when I had my first child. My mother was so generous with her time, her love, and her advice. Despite that, and the love and support of my husband, I had a really hard time. The birth was exhausting, breastfeeding was painful, and my emotions were out of my control. I loved my baby, I love being a mother- but I did NOT love the change and challenges that the newborn days bring. This was the seed of my desire to help other birthing people and their family through one of the most glorious, heartbreaking, confusing, lovely times that they’ll ever have!

Resume

• BA in Studio Arts from the University of Central Arkansas

• Postpartum doula certification through local doula agency, Birth by Design

• DONA International certified postpartum doula. DONA trained as a birth doula.

• Certified Lactation Counselor, through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice

• StillBirthday certified birth and bereavement doula.

• Babywearing Educator with Babywearers of Central Arkansas

• Current member of The Doulas: a collective of birth and postpartum doulas in Central AR

Experience

Adoptive families

Babywearing

Bereavement support

Exclusive pumping mothers

Military families and deployments

Multiples

Sibling and Pet care

Single parents

Working mothers

Cloth diapering

Organizing

.02

my Services

.04

Photo Gallery

.05

CONTACT me

I'd love to hear from you! You can reach me at balancedmamaLR.com. Fill out the contact us form, and Cora or I will get in touch with you as soon as we can!

Resources

Resources for preconception to postpartum…

and everything else in-between!

Recommended Reading

About What Was Lost, Jessica Berger Gross

The Art of Parenting Twins, Patricia Maxwell Malmstrom and Janet Poland

The Baby Book, Sears

Birthing From Within, Pam England

Breastfeeding Made Simple, Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

Misconceptions, Naomi Wolf

The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth, Henci Goer

Your Amazing Newborn, Marshall and Phyllis Klaus

Postpartum

Advanced Physical Therapy- At Advanced Physical Therapy of Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, and Cabot, our focus is on providing patient-centered, outcome oriented and scientifically based treatment for general orthopedic problems, prenatal and postpartum conditions, and pelvic floor dysfunction for men, women, and children of all ages.

Arkansas Breastfeeding Coalition- dedicated to protecting and promoting breastfeeding in Arkansas. ABC’s membership is composed of mothers, healthcare professionals, and others who are dedicated to breastfeeding not just as “the best” way to feed a child, but as the biological norm for the human species.

Arkansas Children’s Hospital Support Directory

Arkansas Pelvic Health- The team at Arkansas Pelvic Health is made up of experts for bowel, bladder, and sexual function, working to raise the standard of care for women’s health.

The Big Blue Blanket- postpartum support group

ICAN: International Cesarian Awareness Network- An international non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women who have had cesareans, women who are trying to prevent an unnecessary cesarean, and women who are pursuing Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). There is a local chapter that meets regularly to provide support and encouragement. Visit the website to find lots of online support and resources, also.

The Studio- a central space in Central Arkansas where we can heal, create, and connect.  It's a blended space offering services to the community, to artists, and to therapists. Everyone is welcome here.

Pregnancy, conception, and Birth

Advanced Physical Therapy- At Advanced Physical Therapy of Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, and Cabot, our focus is on providing patient-centered, outcome oriented and scientifically based treatment for general orthopedic problems, prenatal and postpartum conditions, and pelvic floor dysfunction for men, women, and children of all ages.

Arkansas Department of Health Maternity Program- The Arkansas Department of Health provides prenatal care to an average of 5,000 women annually at many of the Local Health Units. Services are provided for little or no cost. No one will be refused services because they do not have money to pay.  Clients have access to other Health Department services such as STD testing, family planning services and WIC. The Prenatal Program’s goals are to ensure pregnant women have early access to prenatal care, decrease pregnancy related diseases, and reduce the number of infant deaths and the number of infants born prematurely. 

Arkansas Pelvic Health- The team at Arkansas Pelvic Health is made up of experts for bowel, bladder, and sexual function, working to raise the standard of care for women’s health.

DONA International- The mission of DONA International is to promote high quality birth and postpartum support by setting the standard for the doula profession through evidence-based training and certification for doulas of diverse backgrounds. DONA’s vision: a doula for every person who wants one.

The Doulas- We are a collective of birth and postpartum doulas, serving in the Central Arkansas area. No matter what birthing experience you are looking for... we have the support for you. Our passion is supporting families before, during, and after birth. We want them to feel empowered in their choices and parenting journey. We firmly believe that every family that wants a doula should have one.

Kim Jacob, Homebirth Services- Central Arkansas midwife

Planned Parenthood- Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide. There is a Central Arkansas clinic located in Little Rock.

ReproductiveFacts.org- a non-profit advancing reproductive medicine through education, research, and advocacy. Their website provides information on fertility, infertility, and all things related to pregnancy.

Spinning Babies- Spinning Babies is an approach based on easing baby’s rotation. When rotation is easier for baby, birth is often easier for mother.

Wandering Oaks Photography- Brittany: a birth aficionado, trained labor and bereavement doula and photographer located in Central Arkansas (Little Rock). 

Bereavement

Charlie’s Hands and Feet- An Arkansas based support system. “There are no words to describe the loss of a baby. The grief and pain alone can feel like burdens too heavy to bear. But those burdens do not have to be carried alone. After the loss of our little boy Charlie, we decided to start Charlie's Hands and Feet to give emotional support and financial help to families who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. No one should have to go through such a dark time alone. If you have lost a baby and are looking for support, or just someone to talk to, reach out to us. We are here for you.” -Patrick and Sarah Erwin, Founders of Charlie's Hands and Feet

Compassionate Friends- With both in-person and online support, the mission of The Compassionate Friends: When a child dies, at any age, the family suffers intense pain and may feel hopeless and isolated. The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.

Stillbirthday- SBD doulas provide support prior to, during, and after birth in any trimester. Visit the website to connect with a doula, and to find online resources and support.

Mamie’s Poppy Plates- an Arkansas founded, donation supported non-profit whose mission is to provide tangible mementos to families who suffer stillbirth or infant death. Our keepsake plates, given to affected families at no charge, are customized with the baby’s footprints, name and birth information. Mamie’s Poppy Plates exist not to fill the impossible void of loss but to serve as a timeless reminder of their baby’s brief yet profound life.

UAMS Bereavement Support Directory

Baby Care Resources

The Big Blue Blanket- postpartum support group

Sears Parenting Library and askdrsears.com- the Sears family are a group of nurses and pediatricians, specializing in all kinds of practical and evidence based parenting practices. Their library and website span all kinds of topics related to children and child rearing.

Balanced Bebe- Christina, a pediatric physical therapist, focuses on gross motor wellness, and how to help your child’s physical development.

Babywearers of Central Arkansas- A lovely group advocating for and promoting safe babywearing, building relationships among baby-wearers, and providing babywearing education in Central Arkansas. They meet monthly in both Little Rock and Conway, providing education, social gathering, and a lending library.

Wonderweeks- app and book. The Wonder Weeks has been a worldwide bestseller for 30 years, and with good reason: The Wonder Weeks is the only book that gives you insight into everything that goes on in your baby’s head during the leaps. Now you know why your baby suddenly enters a period in which he cries more and is not himself.

Know that this fussy period is actually really positive: your baby is learning! He is suddenly learning so much at once, that it becomes too much for him. The Wonder Weeks gives you the information you need to help your baby through the leaps as best as possible.

Breastfeeding resources

• Kellymom.com

• LLLI.org- La Leche League

• Central Arkansas Resources

  • Serenity Breastfeeding- Tanya Smith, BA, IBCLC

  • WIC breastfeeding and peer support

Tongue & Lip tie resources

• Dr. Chelsea Pinto- good explanation and pictures of oral ties and their effects on infants and infant feeding

• Dr. Gaheri- how to examine your infant for ties, plus so much more information!

• La Leche League information on ties

• NIH study on outcomes after revision

• Central Arkansas Resources:

  • Hamilton Family Dentistry- Central Arkansas dentist for assesment and laser frenectomy (lip/tongue tie revision). By performing a laser frenectomy rather than a complicated conventional surgery, the benefits to infant and mother are clear. We have special procedures and protocols used to treat these precious infants that reduce anxiety in child and mother.

  • Dr. Abby Nolder- Dr. Nolder is board certified in otolaryngology. Her primary clinical and academic interests include general pediatric ear nose and throat problems, obstructive sleep apnea, and pediatric airway and swallowing disorders.

The Big Blue Blanket:

support for you and your baby

What's the Big Blue Blanket all about? My children are not small anymore, but when they were younger... every week we'd meet at the park with friends. The kids would run amok, and the adults and babies would create a space for ourselves on an oversized bright blue blanket. Eventually, the Big Blue Blanket became a symbol of a place to find some peace, honesty, friendship, shared experience and support.
That feeling is what Big Blue Blanket gatherings are all about. It's a place to be honest about how utterly magnificent and utterly horrible the first few months of parenting can be. A place of non-judgemental acceptance and support.
Hosting BBB gatherings is me- Desiree. Look around my website to find out more about who I am.

Who: Mamas and babies under one year of age. We welcome you with and without your baby.

What: General support for what you’ve got going on, plus a slightly guided discussion topic. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for topic and special occasion announcements! Feel free to feed your babies (all methods of feeding encouraged and supported), change your babies, talk about your triumphs and defeats- we’ve got you.

When: every Wednesday afternoon, 2pm

Where: Balanced Mama (400 N. Van Buren)

How much: $12 for a drop-in, $50 for a five visit pass