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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 August of 2022 Birth Matters NW will return to a solo-practice model with Mariah Falin. 

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. 

What is included 


  • A virtual meet & greet with our team. This a free 30-45min opportunity to go into what you are looking for and to find that special spark of connection. ​And for us to get to know you of course!
  • Deeper conversations to discuss hopes and potential challenges in a minimum of three prenatal sessions (time allowing). Hands on instruction to make early labor easier and instill confidence in both the laboring individual and partner. Each of these structured meets usually last 90-120 min and are offered in a blend of virtual and in home settings.
  • The on call time for you begins as soon as the contract is signed. As there is a limit to the total number of clients served monthly, the goal is ALWAYS to have a doula you  are familiar with, and who knows what is important to YOU attending your birth. 

  • 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. The support keeps going after birth; ensuring everyone (including this new little one) has eaten and is settled.
  • After birth, it continues! Because, yes... they don't come with instructions or return receipts and keeping your new little(s) alive can feel overwhelming and daunting. There are three  planned points of contact postpartum, one of which includes an in home visit and assessment with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). We want to ensure a positive start to parenting by answer questions, covering basic newborn care, finding your new normal, and figuring out what is next. That support continues 100%, 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!). ​
Access to monthly drop-in chat Sunday evenings (these are open to all existing clients to check in, and various topics may be covered on a rotating basis.
    My goal is to support your birth experience with compassion and care. All together Birth Matters NW has supported over 415+ families and maintain active roles in the local community to expand 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.

Package Costs

effective Jan 1, 2023
$3000 
​-Unlimited call/text/video support from the time of hire
- 3 structured prenatal visits prior to birth to build confidence and prepare for labor and the arrival of your baby with your team of support
- Collaboration writing a birth plan/preferences, support determining a postpartum plan
- early labor support (in home) + birth attendance
- 3 postpartum visit/check-ins (one of which includes a visit with a IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and unlimited virtual/call/text support 6-8 wks after birth
- Weekly chat and check-ins via phone or zoom
- Monthly drop-in group
The mind of a woman in labor is power un-estimated. - Thejoyofthis.com
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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 Birth Matters NW also offers monthly virtual drop in groups, Bengkung belly binding, placenta encapsulation (via Puget Sound Placenta),  as well as overnight postpartum support. If you are interested in one or more of these services, please visit 'Additional Services'.