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:
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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.
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Birth matters. It brings us into being on many levels. - Ananda Lowe
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Mariah Falin, CD(PALS), PD, PESOwner | 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 |
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 'ya'll drawl'
- Got married on Tybee Island, GA at sunset, barefoot in the sand
- Mom to two amazing teens (both of whom are 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), and a questionable number of chickens. *This ended due to the pandemic and need for healthy spaces for all!
- Once thrown out of a all you can eat sushi restaurant
- Grew up in the deep south, yet missing the 'ya'll drawl'
- Got married on Tybee Island, GA at sunset, barefoot in the sand
- Mom to two amazing teens (both of whom are 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), and a questionable number of chickens. *This ended due to the pandemic and need for healthy spaces for all!
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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)
- 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)
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Ginny Maria Raffaele, CD(PALS), PD, PA-CCertified Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula
Location: Northeast Seattle , WA
Locations Served: Most area hospitals, all area birth centers and home births Training - 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.
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
- Grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and lived on an alpaca farm for a year upon moving to the USA at the age of 17.
- She will pet any cat, anywhere. Cats will just come!
- Learned to drive a car in 2016, to ride a motorcycle in 2018, and to sail a boat in 2020.
- Loves to paint watercolor while listening to a stimulating podcast.
- Enjoys teaming up with her partner to make pasta from scratch to treat friends at dinner.
- Grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and lived on an alpaca farm for a year upon moving to the USA at the age of 17.
- She will pet any cat, anywhere. Cats will just come!
- Learned to drive a car in 2016, to ride a motorcycle in 2018, and to sail a boat in 2020.
- Loves to paint watercolor while listening to a stimulating podcast.
- Enjoys teaming up with her partner to make pasta from scratch to treat friends at dinner.
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Josie WrightBirth Doula, Lactation Educator, Babywearing Educator
Location: Central Seattle, WA
Locations Served: Most area hospitals, all area birth centers and home births Training - Birth Doula 2020 (Simkin Center / Bastyr University DONA International) - Lactation Counselor and Educators Training |
Philosophy:
I became a doula at 9 years old when I intuitively stepped into the role while my mother was giving birth to my baby brother. Since that day, my desire to support pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people has never wavered. I went on to receive my formal training through Bastyr University, DONA International, Lamaze International, and Evergreen Perinatal Education. I am also certified in the use of TENS units and have years of baby-wearing experience.
I am committed to the support of all pregnant people and I take a holistic approach toward every aspect of the birthing experience. As a resource for education and empowerment, I compassionately stand beside you, helping you to advocate for yourself and manifest the outcomes you desire. I aim to instill confidence through education, no matter the setting: hospital, home, or birth center. My work centers around underserved and marginalized communities, whom I support with nonjudgment, compassion, and full transparency. Whatever the circumstance, pregnant peoples’ care should be held to the highest standards with dignity as the priority.
Everyone is entitled to accurate, fact-based information about the benefits of human milk. If someone chooses to pursue the relationship of breast/chestfeeding, they should have the support and information to nurse for however long they have chosen, whether that be 3 days or 3 years. My goal as a lactation counselor and educator is to provide fact-based information and instill confidence through education to ensure a successful nursing experience.
I am a mother of two wonderful children born 15 years apart and in very different circumstances. As a pregnant teen, I desired to be the person I didn't have at my birth -- and that is the person I have devoted my life to becoming. My heart is fullest when I'm with my children, my husband, adorable guinea pig Lebron, and zany pom-chi James.
I am committed to the support of all pregnant people and I take a holistic approach toward every aspect of the birthing experience. As a resource for education and empowerment, I compassionately stand beside you, helping you to advocate for yourself and manifest the outcomes you desire. I aim to instill confidence through education, no matter the setting: hospital, home, or birth center. My work centers around underserved and marginalized communities, whom I support with nonjudgment, compassion, and full transparency. Whatever the circumstance, pregnant peoples’ care should be held to the highest standards with dignity as the priority.
Everyone is entitled to accurate, fact-based information about the benefits of human milk. If someone chooses to pursue the relationship of breast/chestfeeding, they should have the support and information to nurse for however long they have chosen, whether that be 3 days or 3 years. My goal as a lactation counselor and educator is to provide fact-based information and instill confidence through education to ensure a successful nursing experience.
I am a mother of two wonderful children born 15 years apart and in very different circumstances. As a pregnant teen, I desired to be the person I didn't have at my birth -- and that is the person I have devoted my life to becoming. My heart is fullest when I'm with my children, my husband, adorable guinea pig Lebron, and zany pom-chi James.
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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
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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 |
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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.