Meet Kelly
Kelly Carlstrom, CD(DONA)
Hi! I'm a '98 Towson University graduate and blessed to be a wife and stay-at-home mom of three in Northern Baltimore County. My first birth experience was an induction delivered by an OB/GYN at GBMC, the second was a natural birth delivered by a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) at St. Joseph's Medical Center and the third was an unmedicated birth delivered by a CNM at Mercy Medical Center. After the delivery of the second child in 2005, I recognized the need for birth doulas so it became a passion of mine to serve other women and families in this way.
I'm a certified birth doula of DONA International , the largest doula association in the world. Additionally, I'm an active Director and Publicity Chair of Maryland Friends of Midwives and a member of the Maryland Birth Network. A portion of my fees goes to the on-going support and growth of both organizations.
I assist hospital and birth center births in Baltimore and its surrounding counties. Since I'm close to the Pennsylvania line, I also serve York County. I have experience with VBAC's, inductions, C-sections, twins, non-medicated and medicated births. I have assisted with 35 births in all types of settings. For the time being, I'm no longer accepting first time moms due to the averaged long labor time involved. Additionally, I only take one client a month to potentially avoid birth conflicts and family obligations. In the event something would arise and I was unable to make your birth, I have a good working relationship with four other local doulas to call upon.
I breastfed all three of my children and provide lactation support. I have had experience with specific lactation issues including latching difficulites, weak suck and tongue tie. I continue to further my lactation education as much as possible. If lactation issues go beyond my expertise I can provide referrals to lactation consultants.
I'm a certified birth doula of DONA International , the largest doula association in the world. Additionally, I'm an active Director and Publicity Chair of Maryland Friends of Midwives and a member of the Maryland Birth Network. A portion of my fees goes to the on-going support and growth of both organizations.
I assist hospital and birth center births in Baltimore and its surrounding counties. Since I'm close to the Pennsylvania line, I also serve York County. I have experience with VBAC's, inductions, C-sections, twins, non-medicated and medicated births. I have assisted with 35 births in all types of settings. For the time being, I'm no longer accepting first time moms due to the averaged long labor time involved. Additionally, I only take one client a month to potentially avoid birth conflicts and family obligations. In the event something would arise and I was unable to make your birth, I have a good working relationship with four other local doulas to call upon.
I breastfed all three of my children and provide lactation support. I have had experience with specific lactation issues including latching difficulites, weak suck and tongue tie. I continue to further my lactation education as much as possible. If lactation issues go beyond my expertise I can provide referrals to lactation consultants.
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An unmedicated, natural birth
Sometimes couples worry that having a doula will take away from the dad's involvement with the birth. A doula brings to each birth a familiarity of the birth process as well as wisdom to calm, strengthen, and create a sacred space around the laboring couple. I work with the dad to further enrich his
role as he sees it and provide the support a mom needs.
My philosophy of birth is rooted in the belief that our bodies were designed by God to birth. Through relaxation and positional techniques we can help manage and cope with labor. My ambition is to inform expectant families so they understand their options, are empowered to voice their decisions so in the end they feel heard and unconditionally supported.
I look forward to hearing from you!
My philosophy of birth is rooted in the belief that our bodies were designed by God to birth. Through relaxation and positional techniques we can help manage and cope with labor. My ambition is to inform expectant families so they understand their options, are empowered to voice their decisions so in the end they feel heard and unconditionally supported.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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