Testimonial for Mariah Falin, CD(PALS), PPD, PES
Since the birth of our daughter nearly a month ago, one thing we've repeated to our friends and family is that we could not have had the experience that we had without Mariah by our side.
As a first time mom, was nervous to include a doula in my labor as I'm an introvert and was unsure about inviting someone we didn't know into such an intimate moment. Not only was Mariah an instant connection, but her presence allowed us to have the quiet, calm birth experience I needed. In pregnancy, Mariah was fully available as we prepared and I progressed. Anytime we were nervous, frustrated or unsure, Mariah's steady demeanor and expertise grounded us. She ensured that I focused on entering into the labor experience as my best self - something I would not have prioritized without her.
In early labor, Mariah's arrival allowed me to stay home as long as possible - a goal that was important to me and would not have been manageable without her support. Her presence grounded me and allowed my husband to be confident in his role as my support person. Her guidance empowered us to transition to the hospital smoothly, to make highly informed decisions during and we look back on the experience now with extreme gratitude. I knew that while I wanted to labor unmedicated, I did want an epidural during late stages so I could be mentally present. Mariah never judged me and reassured me that I was listening to my body when I was having doubts about asking for the epidural. Mariah continued her magic with a post-partum visit on a difficult day where she reassured us that this phase is hard, but that we could get through it by prioritizing recovery and knowing that our baby was doing just fine.
Before having my daughter, I looked at pregnancy + labor as something I just had to get through. Now, I look back on it as having many beautiful moments that I'll treasure for a lifetime, and I fully believe that is due to Mariah. We are forever grateful!
-Kelsey G.
July 21, 2022
Mariah Falin, CD(PALS), PPD, PES
Birth Matters NW
Birth Fee: $3600
Postpartum Rate: $60 to $65
