Website: www.designedtobirth.com Phone: (443) 519-1520 Type of Practice: Solo practice Clients per Month: 1 to 2 Birth Doula Experience: 5 years and 35 births attended Area of practice: Parkton, MD Travel range: 30 miles Travel comments/restrictions: I like to stay within a half hour to 45 mins. distance from my home. Languages spoken: English
Birth Doula Certifications
DONA (DONA International)
Breastfeeding Certifications
I breastfed all three of my children. 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.
College Education
BA/BS
Specialized training or previous experience:
Over 40
Families conceiving with ART and IVF
VBAC
Home Birth
Multiples
Clients on bed rest
Twins
Postpartum mood disorders
Cesarean birth
Waterbirth
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Special services available:
Acupressure and/or acupuncture in labor
Cloth diapering education
Parenting consulting
Babywearing education
Baby-led weaning
Reduced rates for military members/spouses
Reduced rates for women considering adoption
Pregnancy, birth and/or newborn photography
Relevant volunteer or advocacy work: Maryland Friends of Midwives Public Relations Director and
Maryland Birth Network Member
Attends hospital births? All Hospitals I've attended births at St. Joseph Medical Center, GBMC, Sinai, University of MD, Mercy, Maryland General, St. Agnes, Upper Chesapeake, Howard County General. Attends birth center births? All Birth Centers I've attended births at Special Beginnings Birth Center. Attends home births? No Home Births I have attended home births in the past but no longer do.
Birth doula fee: $700 Fee details: If you have out-of-network benefits with your health insurance company, a portion of the fee may be covered.
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Client Testimonials for Kelly Carlstrom, CD(DONA)
Lindsey Drysdale
My husband and I were absolutely ecstatic over the experience we had with Kelly as our doula! Our daughter was over 2 weeks late, and Kelly was consistently available during the pre-natal period with wonderful advice about the pre-natal testing we were facing, as well as natural induction methods I could try to see if we could avoid a medical induction.
Once it became clear that I needed to be induced, Kelly was available the entire time with great advice/information on all of the different medications I was put on, as well as unwavering support throughout 51 hours of labor!!! She expertly guided both my husband and I though the entire process, and provided crucial information at various times to help us weigh our options, and stepped back when appropriate to allow my husband and I to make those decisions (for example: whether I should allow our care providers to strip my membranes, break my water, etc.)
In the end, our daughter was born after 51 hours by c-section. Kelly was such a big part of our support team (and we had been at the hospital for so long) that the Doctors actually allowed her to be present during the surgery, which was a great comfort to my husband and I.
Despite having been with us for so long during the labor/delivery process, Kelly stuck around to make sure that we got a good start with breastfeeding, and since then has been readily available by phone/email for any questions I might have about breastfeeding/pacifiers/starting bottles, etc.
I am 100% convinced that I would not have felt like an active participant in the labor/delivery process if Kelly had not been there with her wonderful advice, and unflagging support, and even though we ended up with an induction/c-section, I feel like we had the birth we were "supposed" to have because of Kelly's help and support.
We would recommend Kelly in a heartbeat to anyone who is looking for a birth doula
Posted 11/17/2011
Tara Barlow
We loved Kelly's doula service for so many reasons! Our specific goal was to birth naturally while considering sensitive factors like chronic depression and childhood sexual abuse. I would recommend Kelly to any other mother in the same boat. Kelly was extremely supportive, compassionate and resourceful. She made our birthing experience amazing and the sense of triumph I felt was truly wonderful. I am ready to do this all over again! Thank you, Kelly! You have our highest recommendation.
Posted 7/5/2011
Sabra Irish
Kelly was a wonderful support during our pregnancy and through labor and delivery. Her presence and suggestions were a help and comfort to both my husband and me. We appreciated her knowledge, experience and her gentle demeanor. We were so pleased with out overall experience that we asked her to be with us for the birth of our second baby (coming soon!) as well!
My husband and I were absolutely ecstatic over the experience we had with Kelly as our doula! Our daughter was over 2 weeks late, and Kelly was consistently available during the pre-natal period with wonderful advice about the pre-natal testing we were facing, as well as natural induction methods I could try to see if we could avoid a medical induction.
Once it became clear that I needed to be induced, Kelly was available the entire time with great advice/information on all of the different medications I was put on, as well as unwavering support throughout 51 hours of labor!!! She expertly guided both my husband and I though the entire process, and provided crucial information at various times to help us weigh our options, and stepped back when appropriate to allow my husband and I to make those decisions (for example: whether I should allow our care providers to strip my membranes, break my water, etc.)
In the end, our daughter was born after 51 hours by c-section. Kelly was such a big part of our support team (and we had been at the hospital for so long) that the Doctors actually allowed her to be present during the surgery, which was a great comfort to my husband and I.
Despite having been with us for so long during the labor/delivery process, Kelly stuck around to make sure that we got a good start with breastfeeding, and since then has been readily available by phone/email for any questions I might have about breastfeeding/pacifiers/starting bottles, etc.
I am 100% convinced that I would not have felt like an active participant in the labor/delivery process if Kelly had not been there with her wonderful advice, and unflagging support, and even though we ended up with an induction/c-section, I feel like we had the birth we were "supposed" to have because of Kelly's help and support.
We would recommend Kelly in a heartbeat to anyone who is looking for a birth doula