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What a Doula Offers:

  • Pregnancy Support

    Two prenatal visits to prepare for your birth experience in addition to unlimited phone & email support throughout your pregnancy.

  • Uninterrupted Labor Support

    I will be on call two weeks prior to your due date until you give birth, where you will have uninterrupted, continuous care.

  • Postpartum Care

    Postpartum care (in home) to process your birth 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.

 I believe that 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 two 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 Delridge 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

Couscous Salad with Corn & Bell Pepper

Written up on January 9th, 2012

I stumbled across this recipe on epicurious last week and thought it would be a good one to post here for meal monday.  It's very simple and very tasty.  An easy option for those first weeks after your baby arrives.  

Here's what you need:

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3/4 c fresh corn (cut from about 2 ears)
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1.25 c water
  • 2/3 c couscous
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 c fresh chopped cilantro
  • cayenne pepper, optional

Here's what you do: Read more »

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...

  • 2 Prenatal visits to get to know one another and discuss your hopes & preferences for labor
  • 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
  • Photography, if desired -- your camera or mine
  • Immediate postpartum care, including establishment of breastfeeding
  • In-home postpartum care, with written notes and details about your labor & delivery

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
  • Thank you for being such an integral part of the birth of our child! We are certainly glad that we didn't have to do it without you. We're already talking you up with our pregnant friends... read more » Jeff & Teri