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Here's What You Get:

  • Pregnancy Support

    One prental visit (with optional 2nd visit) to prepare for your birth, in addition to unlimited phone & email support throughout your pregnancy.

  • Uninterrupted Labor Support

    Starting two weeks prior to your due date, I will be on-call until your labor begins. You will then have uninterrupted, continuous care until your baby arrives.

  • Postpartum Care

    Postpartum care takes place in your home.  We process your birth story and assess how you and your newly expanded family are adjusting.

A Little About Me

Nancy Rust

 

My goal as a doula is to help you have the best birth experience possible.

Giving birth is a profound life experience for a woman (and her partner).  It is one that she will remember for the rest of her life.  My role, as a doula, is to help perserve that memory.  Whether you are planning your birth for hospital or home, medicated or unmedicated, I am there to help you have the best experience possible.  My hope is that giving birth will be a life-giving and empowering experience for you.

I was trained at Bastyr University's Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations three summers ago and I received my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in 2001. I am also a member of PALS Doulas.  My husband and I live in the High Point neighborhood of West Seattle and both of us currently work out of our home while caring for our two boys, Gryffin & Isaiah. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a birth doula?
Doula is a greek word meaning "woman's helper," and originated when women gave birth in their homes surrounded by other women. A birth doula provides informational, emotional & physical support and comfort to a woman & her partner throughout the pregnancy, birth, & postpartum period.
Why should I hire a doula?
Recent studies found the following benefits for women who enlisted the help of a doula...
  • 25% shorter labor
  • 33% less likely to be dissatisfied with their birth experience
  • 36% reduction in use of pain medications
  • 40% reduction in pitocin use
  • 50% reduction in forceps delivery
  • 52% reduction in cesarean rate
  • 60% reduction in epidural requests

And six weeks postpartum, mothers were

  • less anxious and depressed
  • more confident with baby
  • 23% more likely to be breastfeeding
I thought all doulas were super "crunchy" and only assisted home births or water births or whatever.   Are you opposed to hospitals or epidurals?
Not at all!  I think every woman should have a doula support them throughout their pregnancy, birth & postpartum period, regardless of their choices for labor & delivery.  Our culture & society are not set up well to support women through this major life transition so a doula is essential.  My hope as a doula is for you & your partner to have the best possible birth experience, in whichever setting you feel most comfortable, with or without pain medication. We will work as a team to ensure that you are confident, comfortable, and informed as you make the decisions and plan for your labor & delivery.
Flower

New on the Blog

Good News!

Written up on May 4th, 2012

I recieved my NPI number today!  That means that I have an official National Providers Identification number and can now bill insurance for my birth doula services.   Reimbursement for doula services is still pretty spotty and varies widely among insurance companies.  I imagine that we will encounter some success and just as many set backs.   But I'm excited to give it a go.  Can't hurt to try, right? 

Filed under:

So How Does This Work?

Baby Being Delivered

Complimentary Interview

I am happy to meet with you to answer any questions you might have and get to know you.  This is free of charge with no obligations.

Birth Doula Services

Should you decide to hire me, here are the services that will be provided...

  • 1 Prenatal visit to get to know one another and discuss your hopes & preferences for labor, with an otion for a 2nd visit at no additional cost
  • Unlimited support via email & phone throughout your pregnancy
  • On-call 24/7 starting 2 weeks prior to your due date
  • Continuous, uninterrupted Labor Support, from beginning to end, regardless of the length of your labor
  • Photography, if desired -- your camera or mine
  • Immediate postpartum care, including establishment of breastfeeding, if needed
  • In-home postpartum care following your birth

Fees

My fee is $850.  A deposit of $400 is due with your signed contract at our first prenatal visit.  You will be billed for the remaining $450 following your birth.  I also offer a sliding scale for those with a limited income.

 

Let's Talk!

I'm excited to talk with you!
Please feel free to contact me with questions or
to see about reserving a spot on my calendar.
Send me a message or give me a call @ 206.659.7878