About
This is me. Karissa Langan. Certified Professional Midwife. Amateur business owner. This is the start of something new and I want you to be apart of it. I hope to get the chance of sharing in your birth story. Have you just started to research midwifery? Or have you already delivered a baby at home? Hospital? Birth center? At KL Midwifery there is a place at the table for everyone. You'll fit right in!
Now here's a bit of my story...
I am the third oldest out of six, and a home birth, caster oil baby. My mom had one other sibling at home, tried for a third, but risked out of midwifery care due to pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. I saw my first homebirth at 3, a hospital birth turned emergency experience at 10 and a third at 14. From that point on I wanted to know everything, how did the baby's head travel the birth canal, what is happening throughout pregnancy, can I learn to catch babies and how can I get trained?
For the longest time I had no idea how to become a midwife. I just kept telling everyone, once I graduate I am going to be a midwife. And that was that. Eventually I found out about a midwifery school in the Philippines. I moved across the world and studied with American and Filipina midwives for 2 1/2 years. I was apart of a program that allowed me to complete my schooling faster than normal, but with 3 times the amount of clinical experience than the average student.
March 2021 found me back in America and connecting with PA midwives while working a FT job. I was assisting at births where I could, studying for my NARM and waiting to get my last requirement - a hospital birth observation. I had everything else completed but was missing this final piece - due to covid restrictions. In January 2023 I received my CPM and Associate Degree, I could finally begin to figure out my next steps. Namely, starting this business! I am grateful to be where I am and for how much I've overcome. My aim is to continuously grow as a person and a midwife as I start to explore this new phase as solo practitioner.
I live for the excitement and adrenaline life has to offer, I live for baby giggles, I live for the light in people's eyes when they learn something new. I love getting asked questions, I love educating, I love explaining how our bodies work. I love breaking down the stigma surrounding birth. And I can't wait to meet you!
About Kalipayon Life...
Names carry meaning, they carry life, they carry the past and the future. Whatever is assigned significance, becomes significant. You will carry that into the future with you. I wanted this practice to carry a name that honored my training and that carried me forward.
Kalipayon is a Bisayan word for JOYOUS. When seeing a mom postpartum I would often ask if they were happy - kalipay. And usually they would answer back: KALIPAYON. Meaning joyous. Not just happy with their baby - that isn't possible all the time, not just satisfied, but a deep seated joy that doesn't go away during difficult times. I wanted to honor the culture and language I had the privilege to live alongside of, the Filipina midwives who taught me, helped me through and worked with me through my mistakes. I am forever grateful.
And then I wanted to add LIFE. It's a shit show here sometimes. With the two combined I wanted to signify that we will work together with you through the PAIN and the JOY.
Educational background:
Newlife International School of Midwifery 2018-2021
National College of Midwifery 2018-2023
Associate of Science in Midwifery
Current Certifications carried:
Certified Professional Midwife - NARM
BLS Provider - American Red Cross
NRP Essentials Provider - Neonatal Resuscitation Program