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

Birth Biomechanics Practitioner

Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Instructor

Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Riannon is a seasoned expert in birth, infant care, and sleep, dedicated to supporting families through the transformative journey of parenthood. With a deep respect for the innate parental instincts that arise with the birth of a child, Riannon provides gentle guidance and compassionate care to all family members. As the co-owner of Harbour City Doulas, alongside her partner Mindan, she offers a comprehensive range of services, including birth and postpartum doula support, Birth Biomechanic practice, prenatal and postnatal yoga instruction, and pediatric sleep consulting.

Known for her vibrant energy and genuine warmth, Riannon is committed to continuous learning and professional development, ensuring that she remains at the forefront of her field and can address emerging needs within the birthing community. She is honored to have supported countless families throughout their pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond, and looks forward to continuing this meaningful work with her dedicated team at Harbour City Doulas. Together with Mindan, Riannon is excited to keep providing exceptional care and support to families in their most precious moments.

 
 
 
 
 

MINDAN GUNTHER-MOORE

Birth and Postpartum Doula

Mindan is a highly skilled labor and birth doula with a deep passion for supporting individuals in achieving the birth experience they desire. Her goal is to ensure that every birthing person feels empowered, supported, and informed as they embark on or continue their family journey. Known for her kindness, expertise, and adaptability, Mindan tailors her approach to meet the unique needs of each family, always honoring the belief that every birth is a personal and sacred experience.

As a doula, educator, mentor, and co-owner of Harbour City Doulas, Mindan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. She is dedicated to managing the details, alleviating fears, clarifying uncertainties, and allowing families to focus on their individual birth journey. Mindan finds immense joy in supporting families through this transformative experience, quoting, “It is a privilege to watch individuals become families, to witness families grow, and to see a new being take their first breath.”

Mindan was inspired to become a doula after attending numerous friends’ births and experiencing two empowering home births of her own. Her passion for birth and babies continues to fuel her work and her commitment to every family she supports.

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!

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 Tofino & Ucluelet

 

 

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.
 

AMANDA BARBER

Birth Doula

Postpartum Doula

Supporting Parksville to Tofino & Ucluelet

 

 

 

 

Compassionate, dedicated and caring, Amanda brings nearly a decade of experience as a birth and postpartum doula.

Amanda is a loving, homeschooling mom of 4 children. She discovered the doula profession after the birth of her youngest. She recognized from her own births and parenting journey how important this role is in supporting mothers and expectant families.

She’s a wonderful supportive doula ensuring families feel empowered with their options and her guidance along the way. Amanda provides consistent loving support to each families’ unique journey; honouring each one’s individual needs and desires in a way that best supports them. She strives to ensure everyone she works with feels valued, uplifted and informed.

She’s looks forward connecting with expectant parents and preparing them for pregnancy, birth and beyond utilizing body balancing techniques, a comforting presence, hands on support, education and information based decision making. As well as supporting them postpartum to build confidence and comfort in parenting.