MEET THE DOULAS
"Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you"
-Misty Copeland
MEET CORA
Cora Crain is a Master Massage Therapist, Certified Doula, Childbirth Educator, and the owner of Balanced Mama. She received her certification in Massage Therapy in 2001 from White River School of Massage in Fayetteville, AR. Her massage career soon led her to an invitation to attend her first birth of a friend in 2002, where a passion for serving women in their childbearing years was ignited.
She received training as a doula through DONA that same year and completed a more extensive certification through Birth Works of Central Arkansas in 2008. She has now attended close to 300 births.
Throughout the continued years of her career, Cora has acquired over 400 hours of continuing education, including focused study of reflexology, oncology, myofascial release, and craniosacral therapy. But the majority of her continued education and experience lies in prenatal and postpartum massage. Her most recent passion and education completing an extensive prenatal balancing bodywork training and becoming certified as a Spinning Babies Aware Practitioner. All of this, combined with over a decade of doula experience, gives Cora a deep understanding and connection with the needs of the body, mind, and spirit during the childbearing year of a woman’s life. She loves being an important part in promoting health and well-being as well as positive experiences during this most important time in a woman’s life.
MEET DESIREE
Desiree Girard–Baxter is a is a full-spectrum doula, advanced lactation counselor, yoga teacher, babywearing instructor, and craft enthusiast. She runs Balanced Mama’s yoga and postpartum programs, as well as serving as the executive director of our non-profit, Everyone Deserves a Doula.She is dedicated to ensuring that families flourish and thrive during their year of childbearing and postpartum- no matter what challenges come their way! You can find her on Instagram @desireethedoula.
MEET MELANIE
Melanie Robinson is a certified birth doula, childbirth educator and postpartum doula. For Melanie, personal experience became an opportunity for service. As with many doulas, her own birth stories led her to birth work by experiencing what a difference personal education and support can make for the whole family. She is a DONA certified birth doula, is currently working on her childbirth education certification + postpartum doula certification, and is a Tricare approved birth doula. She cares deeply that birth choices are honored and respected for each of her clients during this powerful and vulnerable time of their lives. Melanie is a certified cat lady living in Little Rock with her three children and husband. She is eager to work with all types of families to help them have their best birth experience, and find joy in the process. You can follow her on Instagram @melanie_thedoula.
MEET ALLISON
Allison Hupp is a trained full spectrum doula with birth and postpartum experience. She brings a calm, healing energy to each of her clients. Birth work called to her before she had her own daughter, but even more so after her birth/postpartum experience. Allison has a big heart for helping each client feel empowered by their decisions during pregnancy + birth. She’s also a practicing esthetician at Studio 2121! Allison and her husband live in North Little Rock with their daughter. She’s excited to help usher other families into parenthood!
