About

My name is Marilyn and I live in Little Rock, Arkansas with my husband and two puppies.

Supporting mothers is a passion that has always been close to my heart. I worked as a professional nanny for many years and felt a natural instinct combined with a learned skill that allowed me to provide personalized, professional, and loving care for each family. Ten years ago I worked for a mother who was a doula - a word I had never heard before. As soon as I understood what a doula was, I knew instantly that this work was for me.

My Christian faith is a foundational part of who I am, it deeply informs the way I approach this work. I believe every birth is sacred and I feel called to walk alongside mothers with compassion, patience, joy, and prayerful support during one of the most precious moments of their lives.

My other passion outside of birthwork is classical and choral music. I have a masters in music and specialize in Baroque, Renaissance, and Medieval vocal performance. You can find me singing at a church every Sunday morning and I am also a member of various professional musical ensembles in Little Rock.

Personally, I am passionate about healthy and holistic living. I enjoy cooking every day and love to bake, read, and take walks with my family. I treasure authentic connection with others and am deeply grateful to be doing this work supporting mothers, babies, and families in the most foundational moment of life.

Mid-certification with BirthWorks International

BirthWorks International provides an in depth and comprehensive birth doula training program that covers areas including:

Prenatal support
Childbirth education
Evidence-based physical, mental, and emotional comfort measures for labor and delivery
Optimal pelvic positioning and bodywork for labor progression
Support for every kind of birth: natural, medically assisted, or cesarean.
Postpartum care
Breastfeeding support
A spiritual approach to birth and motherhood

And so much more.

In addition to an extensive and multifaceted training program, I work closely with an amazing mentor who is an experienced doula herself and sets me up for success with my own clients and ability to offer the highest level of birth support.

Marilyn's Training Includes

Childbirth Education

I can help you understand the stages of labor, pain management options, and what to expect so you can walk into your birth feeling informed and confident.

Breastfeeding

Childbirth Education

As your doula, I'm here to help you get off to a strong start with breastfeeding from the very first latch. I offer guidance with positioning and latch, help you recognize hunger cues, and provide encouragement and troubleshooting tips during those early days when you're still learning your baby's rhythms.

Postpartum Care

Childbirth Education

Adult & Infant CPR

The fourth trimester deserves just as much support as pregnancy and birth. I provide emotional support, practical help, and guidance on physical recovery so you can focus on bonding with your baby while healing at your own pace.

Adult & Infant CPR

Childbirth Education

Adult & Infant CPR

Your safety and your baby's safety are always a priority. I'm certified in both adult and infant CPR, giving you extra peace of mind knowing I'm prepared to respond confidently in an emergency.

Newborn Care

Peanut Ball Techniques

At Marilyn, we are committed to providing compassionate and personalized care to expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy journey.

Peanut Ball Techniques

Using a peanut ball during labor can help open the pelvis, encourage optimal fetal positioning, and provide comfort during rest periods. These are helpful with epidurals or for an unmedicated birth. I'm trained to guide you through different positions to help labor progress more smoothly.