“Her presence exudes a unique mix of extreme tranquility and extreme strength, and she inspired us to keep calm and focused as we navigated all aspects of our hospital birth experience.” -Natalie
About The Doula: Carling Sothoron
Calm, patient and compassionate, I draw on 18 years of caregiving experience, 8 years as a doula, to help my clients and other support persons stay confident and grounded throughout pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. As a full spectrum doula, I provide non-judgemental support and prioritize my clients’ comfort, autonomy and wishes. I honor that each pregnancy is unique and each person's expectations, joys, and fears are different. My encouraging, dependable and nurturing presence makes me an invaluable addition to any team. In addition to my doula work with Chesapeake Birth, I am a co-founder of the Baltimore Doula Project and am in the process of becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
Beyond doula work, I am a solo parent to an active and outgoing toddler. I am an avid rock climber (or I was before I had a kid), I love hiking, camping, gardening, and cooking. I can be found hosting potlucks, protesting in the streets, working on house projects, and cuddling with my cats.
I use she/her pronouns.
Read testimonials at DoulaMatch.net.
My Values
Inclusive Care. I value the full spectrum of identities and experiences. I appreciate your uniqueness and I bring no assumptions about who you are, where you come from, and what you’ve been through. I provide care without judgement.
Proud To Be Queer. I’m a queer woman and I love working with queer and LGBTQI+ clients. I can help identify queer and trans affirming providers, practitioners, and other resources.
Anti-Racist. I am actively committed to learning about, identifying and and fighting against racism.
Pro-Abortion. Abortion is healthcare and I support the right to choose abortion.
Reproductive Justice for All. All humans have the right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities (SisterSong).
Who I Serve
I believe that all births are natural births, and I support your decision to have an unmedicated birth, an epidural, an induction or a cesarean. What is important to me is that we feel comfortable with each other and can build a connection.
I welcome partners and solo parents of all races and ethnicities, of all socio-economic statuses, of all abilities, and of all religious and spiritual affiliations. I welcome people who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, queer, trans, nonbinary, and gender queer. I work with folks of all ages. I also work with people with a history of trauma, mental health conditions, anxiety, and drug use.
Training and Education
Childbirth Education Training, Whole Body Pregnancy, 2020
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Provider, 2020
Spinning Babies Trained, 2019
Certified Birth Doula, DONA International, 2016
Trauma-Informed Doula Training, Wildcat Birth, 2017
Abortion Doula Training, Baltimore Doulas for Choice, 2016
Birth Doula Training, DONA International, 2015
Bachelor of Science, College of Charleston, 2008
CPR, First Aid Certified, Current
Member of the Maryland Birth Network
