Birth Matters NW
  • Our Doulas
    • Mariah Falin
    • Gina Cantatore
    • Ginny Maria
  • Services
    • Labor Support
    • Postpartum Support
    • Other Services
  • Resources
  • Portal
  • Contact
  • Our Doulas
    • Mariah Falin
    • Gina Cantatore
    • Ginny Maria
  • Services
    • Labor Support
    • Postpartum Support
    • Other Services
  • Resources
  • Portal
  • Contact
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Questions? Lets Meet

Welcome and Hello!

​The doulas of Birth Matters congratulate you and look forward to talking about how our practice can support you. With a combined 20+ years of direct experience and countless additional years of lived experiences we celebrate each family and value your unique story. Our services are always customized to your needs and we hold at the heart of our practice the value of supporting your decisions and choices. 
Birth matters, and I believe the way a child is brought into the world has an important impact on the rest of life. Helping with that transition is an honor. -Anjli Aurora Hinman, CNM
Birth Matters NW is the perfect match for you if:
  • ​You have an idea of what you want for your birth experience, but are unsure how to accomplish achieving those goals.
  • ​You are looking to round out a great team to support your birth​
  • ​​You are looking for a constant who will ​be with you from start to finish​
  • ​​​Your last birthing experience wasn't what you were hoping for.
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Connect Now
  • ​​You want to be the best support person to your partner, but aren't sure you will remember what to do.​
  • You  see the value in having someone support you both who has been there and done that. ​
  • You want real, honest answers, backed by evidence based research or practice based evidence to help guide your decision making.​
  • That yes, a healthy baby is important, but you would like to look back and have it be a good experience for you too.
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What is Birth Matters NW?

Birth Matters NW was 'born' in 2015, originally a collaboration between Mariah Falin and Ildi Sebestyen. Today Birth Matters NW flourishes as a family of doulas working together to support families. Each doula brings with them a wide variety of skills, life experiences, and knowledge. 

Birth matters. It brings us into being on many levels. - Ananda Lowe
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Birth Support
Birth is where we all begin. Our support is uniquely tailored to you and to guide you through this journey. 
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Postpartum Support
Daytime and Overnight Support for new parents.
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Other Services
Placenta Encapsulation, Belly Binding, Workshops, and much more. 
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Mariah Falin, CD(PALS), PD, PES

Owner | co-founder of Birth Matters NW
Location​: Everett, WA
Locations Served: Most area hospitals, all area birth centers and home births
​Training​
- DONA Birth Doula (2013) Seattle, WA
- Big Belly Placenta Training (2014) Seattle, WA
- Full Circle Placenta Training (2014) 
​- Sacred Pregnancy Belly Binding (2015)
- DONA Postpartum Doula (2017) Seattle, WA
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Philosophy: Birth is a normal, healthy process, and individuals should be supported with competent and compassionate care to achieve not only a healthy birth, but a good experience. 
Mariah has always been drawn to the birth process, and began her studies in pursuit of maternal care from high school. She believes that regardless of how pregnancy happens, or how how a child comes into the world; all births are natural.  And that with a knowledgeable and supportive team, every women can achieve an empowered and satisfying birth. She has a special place in her heart for first time mothers, clients pursuing a vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC), and anyone looking to have a positive and supported experience. She is a PALS Certified doula and current president of PALS Doulas.  ​
Interesting Facts
- Once thrown out of a all you can eat sushi restaurant
- Grew up in the deep south, yet missing the 'drawl'
- Got married on Tybee Island, GA at sunset, barefoot in the sand
- Mom to two amazing teens (only one of whom is officially taller than I am, I wish that shorter one would listen re: veggies)
- Collect crafts and hobbies like some people collect Pokémon, or shoes. And apparently cookbooks too. 
- Shared a tiny living space for 6 years (340 sq/ft) with three humans, a ridiculously adorable black lab named Pippin and a cat named Zeddicus Zuul Zorander (Sword of Truth fantasy series that is AWESOME). *This ended due to the pandemic and need for healthy spaces for all!
Questions? Lets Meet

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Gina Cantatore, LMT, CD(PALS, CBI)

Certified Birth Doula and Licensed Massage Therapist
​Location​: Kirkland, WA
​Locations Served: Most area hospitals, all area birth centers and home births
​Training​
- Massage Therapist 
- Childbirth International Doula Training (2013)
- Pre/Postpartum Massage Certificate
- Chest/Breast tissue massage certificate
- Cupping therapy certificate
Philosophy: Pregnancy and birth are beautiful experiences. With the right support, a laboring parent can do anything!
Gina is a Certified Birth Doula through Childbirth International, as well as a Washington State Licensed Massage Therapist. She has special certifications in Pre/Postnatal Massage through Bastyr University Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations, and well as Breast/Chest tissue massage and cupping therapy. She has also completed a Childbirth Educator series with Passion for Birth as well. Gina was inspired to become a doula after the birth of her first child in 2010 while living overseas. She feels the most important aspect of her work is to provide continuous support and unbiased information to her birth clients, allowing them to make informed decisions throughout their birth experience. Having a love for exploring different cultures and embracing diversity, Gina is excited to work with families of all shapes, sizes, and kinds, as well as any and all birthing plans and situations.
Interesting Facts
- Has lived internationally throughout her life
- Mamma to Zoe and Sonia
- Enjoys singing and cooking, sometimes even at the same time. 
- Believes in fairies
- Is most at home in the water (may be distantly related to a mermaid on her mother's side)
Questions? Lets Meet

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Ginny Maria Raffaele, CD(PALS), PD, PA-C

Certified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula
​Location​: Shoreline, WA
​Locations Served: Most area hospitals, all area birth centers and home births
​Training​
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Birth and Postpartum Doula 2020 (Simkin Center / Bastyr University DONA International)- Certified Physician Assistant 2017 (Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from Oregon Health & Science University)
Philosophy: 
 “My delight and privilege as a birth doula is to honor my clients during this time of transition, by witnessing their intuition, and supporting them in their intentions for their pregnancy and their birth.”
Ginny is a trained healthcare provider who is passionate about supporting patients live their fullest lives, with a focus in reproductive education and support, and a keen interest in pregnancy. After working in family medicine and prenatal care for several years, she decided to pursue her passions further by becoming a birth doula. She serves expectant and new parents by offering empowering, harmonious, and above all intentional doula care throughout their pregnancy and birthing journeys. She also enjoys providing postpartum support, or ‘fourth trimester’ care. In her role as doula, Ginny does not provide clinical services, but her health care experience has intimately shaped her doula practice.  She comes from a tight-knit Hispanic family and hopes to bring that sense of trusting, warm connection and familiarity to her clients.
Interesting Facts
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 Grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and lived in an alpaca farm for a year upon moving to the USA at the age of 17.
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She will pet any cat, anywhere. Cats will just come!
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Learned to drive a car in 2016, to ride a motorcycle in 2018, and to sail a boat in 2020. 
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Loves to paint watercolor while listening to a stimulating podcast.
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Enjoys teaming up with her partner to make pasta from scratch to treat friends at dinner.
Questions? Meet Ginny

​Ready to take this to the next level?
Book your free meet today
Serving the Greater Puget Sound area, north and east King county and south Snohomish county. 
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Service Area:

Birth Matters NW serves the greater Puget Sound Area from South Seattle To Marysville and Snohomish to Issaquah.

Questions? Get in touch!

425-835-3872

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Mariah helped me stay calm and collected, helped me breathe through the contractions, and showed me things to help manage the pain that I never would have known or even thought to try. I can't imagine having gone through labor with any other doula. Mariah was by my side the entire way and I swear, she made it feel easier than I ever imagined possible. 

Erin M.

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Mariah was able to quiet my anxiety effortlessly... and after our daughter was born, she was still my biggest cheerleader. She encouraged me to advocate for my desires and helped me feel calm and confident in my decision-making as a new mom.

Deborah H.

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Mariah was worth her weight in gold to my husband and I! She was enormously supportive during my pregnancy and during my birth. Mariah was calm, respectful, warm and re-assuring the entire time. She knew exactly when to step in and what to offer and worked seemlessly with the Midwives and staff at Swedish. During my C-Section she even told me fairy tales to help me stay calm--and it worked! We would recommend her in a heart-beat to anyone! 

Wendy H.

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 (Mariah was) innately maternal and has a very calming presence. (She) was an advocate for me when everyone else in the room (myself included) was focused on the baby arriving.  It was good to have someone come over, hug you and say "all of this is very normal, you are doing great"; sometimes that's all you need to hear! ​

Heather B.

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The birth of my beautiful baby boy was a very intense and crazy 13 hour ride, and I don't want to think about what it would have been like without Mariah there. She labored with me at home, and (helped me gain a) feeling like I could control some sensation on my body. Mariah, Ildi, and the midwife helped me process what happened in the days after the birth. I am so grateful to have had these ladies by my side leading up to birth, during labor, and throughout early postpartum. I would hire them again in a heartbeat! 

Alyssa R.

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When my labor started, they were there on call, coaching me through over the phone until it was time to do it in person. I started laboring two days before my water broke and they were texting me tips and affirming messages that kept me calm, relaxed, and made me feel supported. Mariah was my doula when active labor really kicked in. She was there with us through the end helping us with laboring positions, reminding us both to rest and drink water, coaching me through pushing & breastfeeding, and helping us get more help when we needed it. I am not sure I would have delivered naturally without having had her support.

 Heather G

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Pregnancy Support | Birth Doula | Postpartum Doula | Prenatal and Postnatal Massage | Placenta Encapsulation | Belly Binding
© Birth Matters NW Birth and Postpartum Services 2020
Birth Matters NW: Birth & Postpartum Services
Compassionate Care. Supported Families.
​
19410 WA 99 Ste A #241
Lynnwood, WA 98036
t: | 425-835-3872
e: | birthmattersnw@gmail.com
Birth Matters NW Doulas work with women of size for a healthy and supported birth experience
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Serving the following areas: Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, Kirkland, Shoreline, Bothell, Woodinville, Brier, Kenmore, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Mill Creek, Everett, Mukilteo, Monroe, Snohomish, Ballard, Magnolia, Fremont, Wallingford, Green Lake, Northgate, Ravenna, Madison Park, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Lake Forest Park, Marysville, Lake Stevens.  Snohomish County, King County, Puget Sound, Washington, WA Swedish Hospitals, University Hospital, Evergreen, Providence, Sprout Birth Center, Center for Birth, Cascade Birthing Center, Puget Sound Birth Centers, Eastside Birth Center and all home births. ​
  • Our Doulas
    • Mariah Falin
    • Gina Cantatore
    • Ginny Maria
  • Services
    • Labor Support
    • Postpartum Support
    • Other Services
  • Resources
  • Portal
  • Contact