Birth Matters NW | Doula Services

An approach with you in mind

Birth Matters was originally conceived in early 2014. as a collaboration between two solo practicing doulas; Ildi Sebestyen and Mariah Falin. In 2015 these two teamed up to provide a partnership based practice for their clients with a shared-call schedule. Together they focused the efforts towards providing compassionate, skilled, evidence based support to families in the Puget Sound area.
While time has brought about some changes to the partnership (Ildi and her family welcomed a new addition in 2017 and she relocated), the underlying goal of Birth Matters NW has remained unchanged. Birth Matters NW continues on with the goal of supporting families with compassionate and professional support. To that end Birth Matters NW welcomed it's own new additions in 2018! The partnership practice restarted in fall of 2018 with the addition of Gina Cantatore of The Gentle Birth, a Childbirth International trained and certified birth doula and WA state Licensed Massage therapist. In 2020 we also welcomed two solo practitioner doulas, Andrea Vaughn and Ginny Raffaele.

Whether planning an medicated or un-medicated birth, delivering at home, in a birth center or one of our area hospitals, looking for support after baby comes home, or if you are interested in one of the other services we offer, Birth Matters NW is here to support you and your choices.

So what's the deal with there being so many of you?

The Partnership Model

This is the model utilized by Mariah and Gina. You have the opportunity to meet with both at the Meet & Greet. These two doulas share supporting a family between the two of then. Each attends a prenatal meeting to not only center what is important to you for you birth, and concludes the relationship by also each visiting you after birth. This model utilizes a week on/week off call schedule. Even if the doula on call that week is at another birth, you will NOT be alone, and the other member of the team will step in to provide support.

The Solo Model

This is the most common model in our area. Each doula is solely responsible to their clients. All of the doulas of Birth Matters NW support one another. If a situation were to arise that your doula either was already at another birth, or unable to attend a client in labor, a backup is called. Ideally it is a Birth Matters NW doula, but we also curate an extensive list of backup doulas to refer to if needed.

What is included

A virtual meet & greet with the doula(s) of your choice. This a free 30-45min opportunity to go deeper into what you are looking for and to find that special spark of connection.
Deeper conversations to discuss hopes and potential challenges. Hands on instruction to make early labor easier and instill confidence in both the laboring individual and partner. Each of these sessions usually lasts 90-120 min and is offered in the comfort of your home where we can talk freely and openly.
The on call time for you begins as soon as the contract is signed. As we limit the total number of clients we serve monthly, you are less likely to have a doula you don't know attending your birth. In the event that both doulas are already supporting other families or (it does happen) are are ill themselves. we do utilize a strong backup relationship with a select number of doulas with a similar experience level and approach.

With you 100% - text/phone/email support from the moment you think things are happening. Help in home and with when to make the decision to move towards if applicable) the birthing location. Our support keeps going after birth; ensuring everyone (including this new little one) has eaten and is settled.
After birth, we are still here for you! Visiting you in home one or two times to ensure a positive start to parenting to answer questions, cover basic newborn care, and figure out what next. We come to you and continue that 100% support, again available to you via phone/text/email to answer questions, troubleshoot challenges, and yes... reassure you that those pictures you sent are completely normal (or not!).

Monthly zoom classes led by Gina beginning in January 2021!

Postural Care pre- and postpartum FOR ALL PARENTS: Caring for a growing human is hard on the body. See how we can keep our posture healthy long term!
Cesarean Scars: Anatomy and Self Massage Education. Learn how to help your healing scar tissue for life-long relief.
Breast/Chest Tissue Self Massage (alternatively, “When milk matures and what to expect”, or both topics in one class): The ins and outs and all-arounds of breast/chest tissue massage, and its importance. (or) What you can anticipate leading up to birth and first week of postpartum milk production.
Infant massage basics: Happy baby, happy parents, and bonding with your newborn. Introduction to baby touch and its benefits.

Our goal is to support your birth experience with compassionate care. All together we have supported over 300+ families and maintain active roles in the local community to expand our knowledge to best support and serve you. Each prenatal with you focuses on how how to make this experience what you want from it as well as discussing the elements of informed decision making, evidence based information, and advocacy for your choices in preparation for birth.

The Next step, connect

The mind of a woman in labor is power un-estimated. - Thejoyofthis.com

F.A.Q.

How do I know if you are the ones?

Book a complimentary consultation! You are also always welcome to call or email us at birthmattersnw@gmail.com We are happy to answer your questions.

We loved you, now what?

After meeting, we will send you our contract for review and signature. Receipt of a signed contract and your retainer will guarantee your place in the calendar. After that we will book the appointments for the first and second prenatal visits between week 32 and 37. If you retain our services after 35 weeks, we may offer a longer dual attended prenatal. Prior to these appointments we will also send you an intake form to collect some easy information up front. Since the time range from hire to birth can vary greatly, this is a great opportunity to remind you that we are an available resource to you from the point of hire.
Questions? Concerns? Conspiracy theories? Excellent care begins when information is being shared!

I think I am in labor, now what?!

We want to be your first call! We have one call number that will be provided to our clients so getting in touch with us is simple. We strongly believe that excellent supported care begins early in the process. We will help you navigate your early labor and are ready to join you in labor for more hands on support when ready. The doula will be with you, working through your contractions and helping you navigate through your labor until the birth of your baby. After your baby is born, that doula will remain with you to provide comfort techniques, assist with breastfeeding, and help you settle.

After birth, what happens?

Still here! The doula who attended your birth will follow up with you for your first postpartum visit after your baby's birth and you will have access to that same call number in the event that any questions arise during your early postpartum time (usually the first 45-60 days). The first check in typically occurs 3-5 days after baby has arrived, and a second follow up is available to first time parents around the 3-5 week mark by the doula who did not attend the birth. The first postpartum is when the second half of the fee is collected (if applicable).

How much do services cost?

Birth support services range from $1200-2000 (depending on the doula(s) you select) with a sliding scale fee offered starting at $1000 for families choosing to deliver out of hospital based on financial need. This is offered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for more information.
Insurance: You may be able to pay for services using your FSA/HSA (check the comprehensive list for details here). We also encourage you to submit for reimbursement to your insurance carrier and can provide a detailed receipt after services have been rendered for the submission

What happens to us in labor is important. Everyone wants a healthy baby and a healthy birthing individual. Our goal, the foundation of our beliefs: That above and beyond that, you feel supported in your decisions. You feel included in your care. That you participated in and navigated your own story. That your birth did not happen to you, however it unfolds. - Mariah Falin, CD(PALS), co-founder Birth Matters NW

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My husband and I are thankful for Mariah. She made my labor and delivery as comfortable as possible.During the initial visit of Mariah she spent few hours coaching us what to do about different stages of labor. She gave us all the tools that helped us stay as long as possible to labor at home (which is what I wanted) before finally going to the hospital. We're just few minutes ahead of Mariah when we arrived at the hospital and everything is going so fast. I was in so much pain that I consider using epidural (which is not what I wanted to do). Mariah encouraged me that i can do it without epidural (I always wanted to have a Natural normal delivery) and Mariah helped that happened. Also, at some point my baby's is coming out face up which delays the progress of delivery, Mariah helped us rotate the baby's face down by using her skills (which speed up my delivery). She stayed for quite awhile after delivery and made sure we're ok. Again, we're thankful that we had Mariah as our doula. She made our dream labor and delivery come true.

Rachelle B.

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Ildi helped us with our first birth and Mariah was there for our second and we would really highly recommend them to anyone looking for a doula. They spent time to learn what we wanted from the birth and then helped us achieve it. For instance, I got an epidural both times and they helped us know when a good time was and then helped move me once I got it to ensure I was comfortable and labor progressed. They were both active in helping not just me but also everyone else who attended the birth and also stuck around after birth which was really helpful. They took notes, pictures, and videos, which were special to have. They provided help with managing pain, help with managing interactions with doctors, and a ton of information. If we have another baby, we would definitely want them to help again.

Lia C.

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Working with Birth Matters NW was wonderful - I especially appreciated the visits before and after our daughter was born.

Alyssa R.

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Mariah was fantastic! She helped us through a successful VBAC every step of the way. In the pre-birth meetings, she seemed to really care about getting to know us and what we hoped for with this birth experience. She helped talk us through some of the anxieties we had lingering from our last birth (which ended with an unplanned c-section). Our first baby was poorly positioned for a vaginal delivery. Knowing this, Mariah was determined to help baby #2 get into good position. She was very confident and knowledgeable about techniques for doing so. During labor, Mariah was a wonderful coach. She has a very calm and reassuring presence about her. Left on our own, we would have run out of laboring positions and coping techniques in probably two hours. Mariah, fortunately, had a never-ending bag of tricks to help the labor be productive while still being as comfortable as practical. We were very fortunate to have the birth we wanted, and we attribute a lot of that success to Mariah's help.

Gene C.

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I worked with Birth Matters NW for the birth of my second child. They were on the list from my doctor of recommended doulas who have experience with VBACs. I had a doula-in-training with my first baby, and was honestly on the fence about hiring one for #2. I didn't feel like I got the full advocacy and support I needed from the trainee. But, all the research points to better likelihood of VBAC success with an experienced doula, I'm so glad I invested in them! I enjoyed the pregnancy support and birth preparation, and all the experience and research they bring. I loved their personalities, too - just enjoyable women to be around, and very calming and supportive in the challenging times. After 12 hours of labor I had my healthy, happy VBAC baby in my arms! They helped me..., labor without medication for several hours beyond what I thought I was capable of, communicate with the anesthetist when he tried to give me fentanyl without warning, labor with a peanut ball to continue progress after an epidural, and finally figure out how to push, and work through pros/cons of vacuum assistance. They was a joy throughout, and took a few pictures and wrote up some sweet notes. The postpartum visit was a blur, but a pleasant one ; ) I strongly recommend working with this experienced, professional, evidence-based, and personable team. We're glad we did.

Rachel L.

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When we met Birth Matters NW, I knew they were a good match. They were super strong, competent women. Both were self-possessed in a way that gave me great confidence in their abilities and made me feel reassured about their presence at our daugher's birth.
I had great pre-birth meetings with (them). As an older, plus-sized mom, my confidence needed work! They both helped me build confidence and trust in my body. Both gave me exercises to do with my husband to increase my comfort. They also checked in with me emotionally to determine the type of support I needed. Both were helpful in recommending books, other professionals (e.g., acupuncturists) and activities I could do while in the last weeks.
My pregnancy went well past the 40 week mark. They helped me stay centered as I waiting for signs of labor. Both were available via text messge and were very responsive. When I went into active labor, Mariah gave my husband tips to increase my comfort over the phone, and she came to our home very quickly. I was so relieved when she showed up!
Mariah remained with us for 30+ hours! I had complications and eventually a surgical birth. Mariah took great care of me and my husband. She worked tirelessly to make sure I was as comfortable and sane as possible. Mariah helped us work through difficult decisions and explained things when when needed more information. In the weeks after my birth, Mariah helped me emotionally process aspects of my birth, which helped me get over some hard feelings I had about how everything went. And, Ildi gave me some good advice regarding breastfeeding. I'm so grateful for Mariah and Ildi! I recommend Birth Matters NW to any expecting families.

Laura L

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We also offer monthly workshops, Bengkung belly binding, placenta encapsulation, pre and postpartum massage (suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic) , as well as overnight postpartum support. If you are interested in one or more of these services, please visit 'Additional Services'.

Additional Services

The support you deserve