HI, WE’RE THE DOULAS.

We’re a group of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care specialists in Nanaimo. We’re experts in providing personalized one-to-one support, education, and hands-on guidance to growing families so they can feel confident and prepared to meet and parent their baby. We live and breathe birth, babies, and breastfeeding, and we love what we do.

Our group was “born” (see what we did there?) years ago with the goal of providing genuinely unbiased, judgement-free, and evidence-based support, and since then we’ve helped hundreds of families in our community reach their goals. What does that mean? It means that we trust and believe in you to do what feels right. It means that we know you’re capable of making your own decisions. And it means that no matter what happens, we’ll answer your questions, alleviate your fears, and give you the tools that you need to meet your baby in your own unique way.

We get it: this whole having a baby thing can be pretty overwhelming. It’s likely one of the biggest transitions of your life, and we know that comes with a ton of uncertainty, vulnerability, and a few (okay, probably a ton!) of questions or anxieties. We also know that typing those questions or fears into Google at 2am doesn’t hold a candle to hearing the calm, reassuring voice of someone who knows you and whom you trust to have the most recent and up-to-date information.

Our goal is to help you meet your birth and parenting goals- whatever they may be. We know that you’re the expert in you, and your baby, and we’re here to help you discover your own unique pathway through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Our promise to you is simple: No judgement, no shame, and no guilt. No matter what your journey looks like- we support that.

RIANNON SETTERFIELD

Birth and Postpartum Doula

Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Instructor

As an expert in all things birth, babies, and sleep, Riannon is passionate about helping families navigate the transition to parenthood. With an understanding that with your baby comes amazing parental instincts, Riannon offers gentle guidance and compassionate support to all members of the family. Riannon lives in Nanaimo with her family, two beautiful daughters, and her wonderful husband.

MINDAN GUNTHER-MOORE

Birth and Postpartum Doula

Mindan is an incredible labour and birth doula with a passion for helping people have the birth experience they want. Her hope is for all birthing people to feel empowered, supported, and informed as they start or continue their family journey. She is kind and knowledgeable, and will be there with you in whatever way feels good for you… after all, it’s your birth and your family! ?‍?‍?

Mindan was inspired to become a certified doula after attending many friends’ births and having two wonderful home births of her own. She worked in Vancouver before relocating last year to Nanaimo and joining the Harbour City Doulas team!

ALEX HUSTON

Postpartum Doula

Lactation Educator

Breath Control Therapist

 

Alex is a Postpartum Doula with a gentle, calming presence and a ton of love for new families. She decided to become a postpartum doula while studying the science and physiology of breath and breathing techniques and the importance it has on the nervous system and mental health. Alex helps new families learn how to get started with their new baby and helps them create and implement routines and habits to set them up for success! Alex was born and raised on Vancouver Island and is a wife and mom of two boys. She is an artist and loves outdoor sports and activities!

ÖZGE STEPHEN

Birth Doula

Registered Acupuncturist

Özge is a full spectrum doula, childbirth educator and mother of two who loves to witness and support families during their transition to parenthood. Also a Registered Acupuncturist, she draws from all aspects of her background and education to offer a holistic approach to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Özge wholeheartedly believes in the transformational power of birth, and hopes to help life givers move through this transition with ease and power, while being informed, respected and nourished.
 

MARISSA PRICE

Birth & Postpartum Doula

Birth Photographer

Childbirth Educator

 

 

 

To Marissa, being a doula not only combines her love for the amazing intricacy of the human anatomy and the beautiful journey we go through to bring life into this world, but also her love for walking alongside people in this special season. Marissa loves answering the questions you find scary, helping you navigate and understand all the options you have, and to help you stand strong in your parenthood. Marissa, her partner, and their fur baby are new to Nanaimo. They love backcountry camping, photography, and music.
 
“This job is a blessing to me and I hope I can be a blessing to you”
 
 

RAEGAN FITCH

Birth Doula

 

 

 

Raegan started her path in women’s maternal health as a midwifery student at Tsi Non:we Ionnakeratstha Ona:grahsta’ (Six Nations Birthing Centre) on Six Nations Territory in Ontario. In 2003 Raegan received her Aboriginal midwifery diploma put her career on hold to start a family. After raising her two boys, and some career detours along the way, Raegan is thrilled to return to her passion of supporting families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum as a birth doula.

MARNIE WYNANS

Birth Doula

Supporting Parksville to Port Alberni

 

 

Marnie is a wife and mother of 5 young men, who has had 5 very different, some very difficult births.
Now a  grandmother, her passion is to accompany couples along in their season of pregnancy and support them in creating the birth story they desire. She draws on her knowledge and experience to provide emotional and physical support as well as being your cheerleader and advocate. She will help you make informed choices, help your partner prepare for their role, and give you the tools to approach birth as a beautiful experience . With 13 years of successful breastfeeding experience, she’ll be right there with you to be sure that you are supported in nourishing and bonding with your new baby. 
She will support you in your home birth anywhere between Port Alberni and Parksville or hospital birth including WCGH and NRGH.

AMY OLSEN

Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula

 

 

 

After becoming a parent, Amy (she/her) uncovered a passion for all things pregnancy, birth and babies! She was struck by the uniqueness of each family’s experience and what we all seem to share: this process transforms and challenges us in ways we may not expect.

 

However this journey looks for you, Amy aspires to come alongside families in an open and non-judgmental way.  She believes all families can benefit from the right kind of support during the fourth trimester.

 

Amy has taken birth, postpartum and lactation training. She brings with her a background in Child & Youth Care and Infant Development & Supported Child Development, and 15 years experience working with infants, children and families.

 

Amy is honoured to call Vancouver Island her home. She loves to be outdoors- camping, hiking and in the garden, as well as spending time with friends and family.

AMBER THOMPSON

Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula

Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Registered Massage Therapist

 

 

 

Amber has spent the last 20 years building a very successful Doula, Pediatric Sleep
Consulting and Massage Therapy practice.

Amber has a deep passion and love for helping families and individuals in
their wellness journey while providing a nurturing, safe, judgement free and
supportive environment. Amber’s calming presence and excellent communication and
interpersonal skills enable her to establish rapport with clients and create a comfortable and
trusting environment. Amber’s expertise provides her clients with a full circle of care
approach listening to her clients needs and honouring their journey.

Amber, recently relocated from Vancouver back to the Island and is excited to establish roots
in Nanaimo, and be a part of the Harbour City Doula Team. Amber is proud to be an Island
girl and happy to be back!

KIM MCMURRAY

Registered Holistic Nutritionist

 

 

 

Kim is passionate about helping expectant mothers thrive using whole foods and natural approaches. After much research and experience overcoming her own health issues, Kim became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist through the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in 2016. Since becoming a mother of two beautiful children, she can’t wait to support and educate other women to nourish their bodies in this amazing, yet sometimes challenging season of pregnancy and postpartum, by teaching foundational nutrition, natural supplement and lifestyle tips. 
 
Kim lives in Nanaimo with her wonderful husband and two children. She loves nature walks, travelling, and of course, good food!

EMMA BRAY

Postpartum Doula

 

 

 

Emma’s background in early childhood education sparked her passion for supporting the whole family. She brings an open heart and mind to her work every day, meeting families where they are at and adapting to their unique needs. With a gentle and peaceful energy, Emma aims to leave parents and little ones alike feeling seen, calm, and nurtured. Outside of doula work, she loves to spend her downtime outdoors, feeling most grounded when she is gardening, camping, and exploring more of this beautiful island.

TESSA CARSON

Postpartum Doula

Birth Doula

Placenta Encapsulation Specialist

 

 

 

Tessa has been a holistic doula since 2014, a placenta encapsulation specialist, a licensed practical nurse, and a mother to two little girls. She infuses her work with values of empathy, compassion, and holistic wellness, creating a nurturing space for families. She believes that childbirth is a transformative experience, and her ability to seamlessly integrate her personal experiences with her professional expertise creates a nurturing and supportive environment for the families she serves. Tessa goes beyond the conventional boundaries of care, aiming to make each mother’s journey as comfortable and empowering as possible. She strives to be the unbiased, collaborative support through your family’s journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Tessa is thrilled to join the incredible team at Harbour City Doulas and pursue her passion.