We were lucky to catch up with Robyn Katers recently and have shared our conversation below.
Robyn, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
It took a while for me to find what my true purpose in life was. I randomly decided to persue Prenatal Yoga training in 2017 not knowing it would eventually lead me to become a Doula years later.
I gave birth to my two boys and hired a doula for each birth. I didn’t know exactly why I wanted a doula but knew I would need one.
My first birth would have gone a lot differently if not for my Doula advocating for me in the hospital. I had planned on a water birth at a birth center however, needed to be transferred to the hospital due to some decels in my babys heart rate.
The delivery went reletively smooth thanks to her but I had realized after that how truly important it was to have and/or to be a Doula in this day and age.
After the birth, I wasn’t so lucky. I developed Post-eclampsia, which is rare, and needed to immediately go back to the hospital for three days. I was without my newborn baby for three days, just two days after being home. I can’t even begin to tell you how awful that felt. No words could describe it. After being discharged from the hospital again, I started to develop PPA (Postpartum Anxiety) and should have hired a Postpartum Doula but funds were low due to being the peak of covid and no work. I did so much research on PPA, seeked help with a Postpartum coach, took postpartum yoga, ate certain healthy foods and took certain vitamins. I finally understood how a Mother’s Postpartum can significantly impact their mental and physical being and how little help there was out there. So my journey began…
I took the Doula training, not thinking much of it to be honest, and then was hired by multiple people right off the bat. The things I learned along the way and the lives I was able to help change was and is so impactful and so rewarding that I knew this was what I was meant to do. To help. To guide. To serve. To mother the mothers.
It took me being 36 years old to find this love and devotion of truly helping Mothers acheive the births they want and provide the help they need in their Postpartum journeys.
There are little things in my life that all brought me to where I am now. I missed what the reasons were at the time, but now I know it was all to prep me for this purpose.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Robyn, a passionate Doula, prenatal yoga instructor, childbirth educator, a wife and mother of two vibrant little boys. I’m deeply committed to supporting families through every step of their parenting journey, combining my professional expertise with my own experiences as a mom to offer compassionate, empathetic care.
As a prenatal and postpartum yoga instructor, I help moms connect with their bodies and prepare for birth in a grounded, confident way. Through childbirth education, I empower families with the knowledge they need to feel confident and informed as they approach birth and the early postpartum days.
In addition to my work as a birth doula, I’m also a newborn care specialist and lactation consultant, and Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula offering support and guidance in the early days of parenthood. Whether it’s breastfeeding assistance, newborn care tips, or simply being there to listen, I’m committed to nurturing mothers and fostering a sense of community and connection. I believe every family is unique, and I work closely with each to navigate the beautiful, transformative journey of parenthood in a way that honors their individual needs.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Empathy and Active Listening
Understanding and truly listening to each family’s unique needs, concerns, and desires has been at the core of my work. This skill allows me to connect with families on a deeper level and offer the personalized support they need. It’s not just about giving advice but about creating space where parents feel heard and supported.
Advice: To cultivate empathy, practice active listening. Give your full attention to those you’re serving, without interrupting or rushing to offer solutions. Trust that people often need to feel understood first, before they can process guidance. Journaling or reflecting on your own experiences of feeling supported can also deepen your capacity for empathy.
2. Holistic Knowledge of Birth and Parenting
The combination of my training as a childbirth educator, lactation consultant, and newborn care specialist has allowed me to offer families well-rounded support. It’s crucial to have a solid understanding of the physical, emotional, and practical aspects of childbirth and early parenting—so I can give comprehensive, reliable advice, while also recognizing that every family is unique.
Advice: If you’re early in your journey, focus on gaining a strong foundation of knowledge. Attend trainings, read books, and seek mentorship from seasoned professionals. But also remember to stay open to the emotional, intuitive side of the work—it’s just as vital as the factual knowledge. I’d also recommend finding areas that align with your passion—whether that’s birth, breastfeeding, postpartum care, or another specialty—and dive deeper into them.
3. Adaptability and Flexibility
Every family’s experience is different, and being able to adapt my approach depending on the situation has been key. Whether it’s a change in birth plans, a shift in a parent’s emotional state, or a newborn with a different rhythm, flexibility is essential in providing effective support.
Advice: To build adaptability, stay open-minded and avoid rigid expectations. Remind yourself that plans may change, and being flexible doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re meeting the family exactly where they are. Practicing mindfulness can help you become more present and aware in the moment, so you can adjust your approach in real time.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Being a Mom of two little boys, an on-call Doula, a Wife, and running my own businesses, it can be so easy to get overwhelmed. It took me a while to realize how to best overcome being overwhlemd and what I do may not be for everyone, but it definitely can help!
One thing I like to do the moment I start to feel like I am getting close to feeling overwhelmed is immediately close my eyes and focus solely on my breath. I use the “4-7-8” breathing: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, and exhale slowly for 8.
Breathwork has been proven time and again to calm and recenter your central nervous system, so doing this is a practice in itself but can be a very effective tool in helping to manage stress and balance yourself.
Some adivce I have is be kind to yourself, set boundaries, and practice self compassion.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://breatheandblossomdoula.com
- Instagram: @robynashleyd
- Yelp: Breathe & Blossom Doula
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