Doula On The Move

Doula On The Move Birth doula, facilitator, education, 1100+ births attended, chest feeding counselor Period. Including couples, full families, parents planning adoption. Yep.

"You do what?"

It occurs to me that, while many parents today know what a doula does in theory, it's likely that a number of them don't really understand what it is I do in real time, so I'll get straight to the point :)

I am a professional birth coach and a walking talking birth dictionary who also washes your dishes and hugs your family. I do NOT do anything clinical (no tests or vag exams) but I can problem solve and cheerlead the right way through all stages of pregnancy and the birth process. Back when I started doing doula work, in the 90's (yup... I'm THAT old!) I think there was a popular belief at the time that a doula was the personification of a vegan - hippie - skirt wearing - granola - kooky woman chanting birthy paganisms over a likewise naked - earth - mother roaring her baby out in a dirt field (actually none of that sounds too darn bad lol) - the reality was that I was one of a few peeps who really believed that positive birth was the right of the parents, no matter how that looked... And as a result, I was often working with "high risk" situations because that's where the gap was and where fear of birth was. Even today, there can be the misconception that having a doula is part of "natural" or "unmedicated" birth... And maybe still a bit more granola than what we are comfortable with, and I really wanted to take a moment to help people get a real perspective on what I do.

1- I work for the parents. This means that WHATEVER your goals or ideal birth situation is, I will support that. If you want an epidural to your eyeballs from seven months on, I totally get it and will do everything in my power to work that into your birth in a way that YOU feel in control. If you want to have your baby in your home with complete silence and bread baking in the background, I will knead the dough and turn on the oven. If you want a c-section, I will walk you and your partner through the process to release all concern and be joyous with you about making your own choices! This is YOUR birth... Not mine.

2- I work with ALL kinds of parents and family dynamics. I have attended OVER 1000 births and they have been with every possible race, religion and sexuality. From high risk to low risk. Birthers with medical conditions, and ages ranging from 13 years old to 48. First time parents to families welcoming their ninth child. From lawyers, doctors, police officers to call center workers and teachers. I've helped families struggling with addiction to homelessness and EVERYTHING in between.

3 - I support you wherever you choose to birth your baby. That's right. I can be there from the very first twinge at home to talk about normalcy, suggest positions, set up a TENS unit, and help chill out your partner / friends / family whatever the case. And I will be with you through the transition to the hospital (if you choose to have a hospital birth) to help work within your rhythm and answer questions through it all. Whatever you want or need.

4- I doula dads /partners. We are an excellent team, partners and I. It allows them to be in the BEST part of the birth of their baby in whatever way that looks right to them. No fear. I have partners who stand in a corner sending love to the birther, and I have partners who are in there like a dirty shirt catching their baby. There is no wrong way and I will support the partner in whatever way he/she/they need. We are the perfect trifeca, and I'm there to make you look good! I am here to use all my collected knowledge to provide info through pregnancy, birth and postpartum to help parents have a loving and fearless journey in their transition into parenthood. And I LOVE it. Allison Runnalls
Doula On The Move
CBFC, BD, PCBE

09/24/2025

Sometimes we have a to break out the big guns with this position. It’s not fun but it can definitely do the trick! Have you ever done Walchers during labor? Here’s a great explanation on how and why it works

Posted • This crazy-looking position is called Walcher’s and dates all the way back to 19th-century Germany and was first described by Gustav Adolf Walcher, a German obstetrician, in 1889.

The goal was to physiologically (naturally with no medicine) increase the anteroposterior (front-to-back and also medically known as the true conjugate) diameter of the pelvic inlet (top of the pelvis), potentially allowing the baby to descend and get into the pelvis. It can increase the pelvic inlet size by 1-2 cm!

This position is meant to be used if the baby is high in the pelvis, and you’ve tried everything else to help it get in (lower), especially if the pregnant person is very dilated but the baby is still high.

Nurses, you know those cervixes that are super dilated and stretchy and all that needs to happen is the baby drop and you’ve tried everything… consider Walcher’s!

Thank you for this incredible birth photo! Be sure to follow them!

Some Walcher’s tips to remember:

- You (nurse) needs to be there and make sure the sacrum is anchored on the top part of the bed.
- Lower the lower end of the bed first before you fully disconnect the bottom of the bed (you can see this here, the bed is broken in 2 pieces, so that you can assure that you or your patient doesn’t fall off!
- Do this for 3 contractions only. If you feel light-headed, let your nurse know and then readjust so they don’t pass out due to aortic compression.
- Be prepared that if it works and this was the reason baby wasn’t coming down, you may have an immenent birth!
- Expect the FHR (fetal heart rate) tracing to potentially have decels. It’s 3 contractions, ideally the reason is for rapid descent.
- This is NOT to be used as a routine position, but rather one as a back-pocket trick.

Have you tried this and seen it work?

Share your stories below for both families & nurses!

09/16/2025
09/02/2025
Sad about the passing of this legend! He has been such an inspiration to myself and many Birth workers around the world....
08/21/2025

Sad about the passing of this legend! He has been such an inspiration to myself and many Birth workers around the world. ❤️

We are saddened to hear news of the passing of Michel Odent, whose vision and writing reshaped the way we understand human birth.

Michel Odent reminded us that birth is not a medical procedure to be controlled, but a primal rythm to be respected. He advocated for home-like maternity units, warm water births, protecting the birthing woman's privacy and honouring her instincts, undisturbed contact between mother and newborn; he was among the first to discuss the importance of the microbiome, and question many of the practices that had (and have) become normalised in overmedicalised maternity systems globally.

Michel Odent's legacy lives on in every dimmed, quiet birthing room, and in every midwife his words and work inspired to join our profession.

Thank you, Michel, for your passion, vision and committment to women and newborns.

Photo: Xavier Caré / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA

08/09/2025
08/04/2025

Looking for a warm, welcoming space to ask questions, meet other parents and feel supported on your infant feeding journey?

Fraser Health supports a network of four Breastfeeding or Chestfeeding Cafés, which are free and drop-in, and led by trained peer volunteers.

With locations in Langley, Abbotsford and Maple Ridge, these cafés offer more than just feeding support as they help build confidence, connection and community. If you’d like more information, please contact a Public Health Unit.

🗨️ “We see peer support as a powerful way to build confidence and connection among new parents.” – Paige Mackintosh, public health nurse, Fraser Health

🧑‍🍼 Whether it’s your first baby or your third, every feeding journey is unique. Come for reassurance, stay for the support.

08/04/2025
08/03/2025
07/29/2025

We have a couple openings for new midwifery clients with estimated due dates in January 2026 for full scope care (prenatal, labor & delivery and postpartum care). This does not happen very often - so run don’t walk! Please email rmmp@telus.net to receive our client information package and intake form. Please note all other months are currently waitlisted and we are currently scheduling April 2026 intakes.

07/25/2025
Families Foundation BFF is a reproductive justice-based charity providing free & accessible doula support, perinatal ed...
04/09/2025

Families Foundation BFF is a reproductive justice-based charity providing free & accessible doula support, perinatal education, and food security to vulnerable families across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and beyond.

I am the current Chair of the Board and the Doula Programming Director and our AGM is coming up on April 15 at 1PM - All are welcome! Zoom Meeting ID: 942 2306 4625 Passcode: 747092

I am currently seeking radical, justice-driven individuals—especially women and gender-diverse folx—to help us push for change. Whether you’re interested in governance, fundraising, or activism, we need your voice!

The positions we a re looking to fill:
Volunteer Coordinator
Partnership Coordinator
Research Coordinator
Fundraising Coordinator
Outreach Coordinator
&
Co-Chair (Im super fun to work with LOL)
This is a volunteer opportunity at about 5-15 hours per month and available to anyone in BC who feels passionate about reproductive health and challenging the current model for perinatal access serving marginalized families in BC!

If you're looking for more info, please feel free to reach out to me or email chair@birthingfamiliesfoundation.org and visit www.birthingfamiliesfoundation.org

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Vancouver, BC

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+17788936852

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