Welcome, whether you're TTC, expecting or have a young baby, you might be curious about how a doula can provide support during this transformative time - I invite you to explore my profile and get in touch to discover how my doula care might work for your family.

 Here's what you can expect when working with me:

• Non-judgmental, empathetic, and continuous support
• Gentle guidance offered in an unobtrusive manner
• Encouragement to assert your choices and have authority in your decisions
• An engaging, friendly, and intuitive approach
• A calming and stable presence throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postnatal journey
• Thoughtful and considered questions to help you make informed decisions
• Respect for your choices and the protection of your birthing/babymoon space
• A professional presence to create an empowering and unforgettable experience during your birth or early parenting journey
• Support in gaining a better understanding of your baby

"Robyn is nothing short of fantastic - she helped me in the first 4 weeks of motherhood and I can honestly say I would not be the mum I am now if not for her! Her knowledge of all things baby is vast, including breastfeeding and baby wearing, and she's able to impart in a very unobtrusive way - empowering you to make your own decisions and have a far better understanding of your baby." - Amelie

I’m Robyn, and my pronouns are she/they. I come from Black Irish heritage, and am a queer full spectrum doula, breast/chestfeeding counsellor & yoga teacher based in South London. I am committed to gender-expansive, body-inclusive, trauma-informed care and support. I’ve been in the birthing and lactation field for ten years, following the transformative birth and existence of my amazing daughter, who learns freely at home with me.

 I felt a calling to this work after my own personal experiences of pregnancy, birth & breastfeeding my daughter for 5.5 years. The joys & challenges I navigated sparked my passion and drive for burrowing deeper into the histories of childbirth experiences + birth  & lactation activism ✨

 I’m invested in (obsessed with) sharing what I've learnt over the years with my community, and I have a particular passion for breast/chestfeeding and lactation, supporting black and brown families and queer LGBTQ+ families.

 I’ve volunteered for numerous charities and have extensive experience working with countless families to support them through every stage of their parenting journey. I personally understand the healing that goes into and comes from the presence of a loving & supportive community during our reproductive journeys. Parenting can be incredibly deep, meaningful action, adventure and a source of connection for you and your family.

 "I absolutely loved getting to know Robyn and feel lucky to have had her practical and emotional support. She was so happy to share her knowledge and experience and always in the most gentle and supportive way. I can”t think of a better start as a new parent and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula." – Annabel

 Birth doula

In 2013 I welcomed my daughter into my arms peacefully and positively. Following my birth, my family nourished and supported me in caring for my new baby. Guiding me with breastfeeding and healing from the enormous work my body had recently gone through. I was given love, compassion, and care as a new parent. I adore that supporting as a doula gives me the opportunity to pay this love forward to other families. The way in which we birth has an enormous influence on our lives, our babies through to adulthood as well as being a reflection of our society as a whole. Being such an intimate and powerful time the guidance of those with experience can be grounding and uplifting when it comes to birth and parenting.​ History's evidence demonstrates that birthing people have the ability to grow and birth peacefully, physiologically, and without much interference from a clinical perspective.

As a birth doula, I offer three in-person meetings during your pregnancy, within those we will get to know one another and I will provide support and guidance for preparing for your birth. I am guided by your individual needs but we may discuss: birth physiology, birth preferences, birth education, mindfulness techniques, comfort tools, labour situations, decision-making, informed consent, tools for alleviating anxiety and stress, discussion of postnatal period preparation, infant feeding education, and advocacy. During labour and birth, I'll be by your side, ensuring both you and your partner receive attentive care and support. Once you are all settled at home I'll make two additional visits to support your transition to the fourth trimester. Postnatally I aim to take care of you, offer a debrief about the birth experience, and address any feeding challenges that may arise in the early days. I'll offer to cook a nutritious meal, demonstrate how wear your new baby in a sling, and make sure you have space to release any emotions and be heard with warmth and compassion. Additionally, I'll guide you on basic body restoration and recovery. My offer includes ongoing virtual support up to 12 weeks after your baby is born.

I believe in individualised birthing, that the birthing person's voice is the most important in the room and they should be supported to birth the way they wish to while holding space for evidenced-based information and guidance. ​I understand that unforeseen circumstances result in the necessity for medical intervention and am extremely thankful for these resources being available to those who rely on them. That being said, I find it questionable when interventions are suggested due to hospital policy rather than strong evidence-based information and research. You are the expert on your body, baby and lived experience, I am committed to supporting YOU on your journey whatever route that may take.

Privileged to have supported families with varying needs: previous birth/ feeding trauma, solo parent families, LGBTQIA+ families, queerplatonic co-parenting families, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, multiples, miscarriage, early induction, survivors of sexual violence, VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and those with more complex existing medical needs including those living with disabilities and physical restrictions. I have supported clients' birthing at home, hospital and birth centres including induction and elective cesarean births.

"Robyn was kind, encouraging, supportive and calm throughout my labour. I would encourage other women to have a doula as they have access to information others may not have, women should be with experience women in labour and I was very happy to have Robyn with me. Robyn was extremely sensitive to my culture and our traditional care after childbirth, she made me feel comfortable when talking to her. If I had another pregnancy I would call Robyn to be my doula as she was friendly, knowledgeable, patient and helpful." - Wei Soik

 Postnatal doula

During pregnancy focus is directed towards preparing for labour and birth, but what happens afterwards when you have your sweet baby in your arms and need to settle in at home? The postnatal period is the time in which you discover your baby, and yourself as a parent and slowly adjust to the new life you now have. This experience requires time, patience, and a well-informed support network. Self-care can often be overlooked during this time due to attending to the immediate needs of a newborn, thinking about what might make life easier in your pregnancy is a great idea to be well prepared for postpartum. I really encourage my clients to do nothing but bond and care for their babies during the early weeks; and allow their bodies to rest, heal and recover from the enormous and amazing job of birthing. 

Prioritising your mental space, emotions, and physical recovery in the first few months lays the foundation for how parents and baby’s first year together play out. Of course, much of it is unpredictable but there are some steps you can take to help this babymoon time go as smoothly as possible. As your postnatal doula, I strive to be a calm, knowledgeable and reassuring presence to you - encouraging your family to glide to your own rhythm and beat. Seeing the change many of us wish to see in the world begins with our parents.

 Ongoing training

• LGBTQ+ Competency In Lactation workshop, The Queer Birth Club - July 2024
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, July 2024
• Sarah Oakley Tongue-tie and Infant Feeding, London - May 2024
• Pregnancy and Mindfulness 100hr Teacher Training, London - December 2023
• Trauma-informed course, Neighbourhood Doulas, - June 2023
• MoreYoga 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, London - April 2023
• LGBTQ+ inclusion in perinatal care, The Queer Parenting Partnership - December 2022
• Breastfeeding London Postgraduate Diploma, Centre for Breastfeeding Education and Research - March 2021
• LGBTQ+ Competency In Birth and Beyond workshop, The Queer Birth Club - August 2020
• Cultural competency workshop, Abuelas Red Tent, London - December 2019
• Breastfeeding through Vulnerability, Every Woman Doula - October 2019
• Born to Carry, Babywearing Peer Support Course - July 2018; June 2019
• Paediatric first aid training, St John’s Ambulance - June 2019
• LEAP Addressing Healthy Eating: From Conception to Reception - November 2018
• Mother warming Postnatal Remedies, wyse women - November 2018
• Aware Parenting Conference - September 2018
• Working with families experiencing domestic violence training - June 2018; April 2019
• Sleep Techniques Training, London - Milpond Sleep Clinic - March 2018
• Introduction to Infant Feeding and Intro to Solids Training, London - NHS Nutrition -  March 2018
• Infant Massage Teacher, London - Peter Walker’s Developmental Infant Massage Teacher training -  February 2018
• First Steps Nutrition Conference -  April 2017
• Safeguarding Awareness training - London, Safeguarding E-Academy -  December 2016
• Information Governance training - London, Health and Social Care Information Centre -  December 2016
• Breastfeeding Supporter course - The Breastfeeding Network - October 2014 - September 2016
• Paramana Doula Course with Liliana Lammers & Michel Odent -  March 2016; October 2018
• Physiological Birth Conference: Promoting Normality, St Georges Hospital - October 2014
• Breastfeeding Helper course, The Breastfeeding Network -  April - September 2013

Testimonials

"Robyn was so supportive before, during and after birth. She has a wonderful energy which was felt by all who met her, radiating calmness during labour she put me at ease and I could not imagine the birth of my son without her support in pregnancy. Her knowledge gave me the confidence to trust my body and enabled me to have the natural birth that I had dreamt of. She was also a sanity saver when I was struggling to breastfeed and I have no doubt that she facilitated my successful breastfeeding journey. I cannot recommend her highly enough and am so grateful to have come across her on my search for a doula" - Saoirse

"Where to begin! Robyn is just incredible in every way. There’s really no one like her. I struggled with breastfeeding my first child so I sought Robyn’s help for my second. Immediately she made me feel calm and comfortable. Her presence alone took me to a better place. She really listens and always had words of wisdom for anything I was struggling with; as well as videos, articles, materials, etc.., that were all extremely useful. I’ve spent many hours trying to find answers on the internet and Robyn has done all of that work already. I was blown away by her passion for what she does and her wealth of knowledge. She’s supportive, brilliant, peaceful, caring, patient, humble, and so much more. I’m so very grateful to have had Robyn, and her lovely daughter, on my motherhood journey with me." – Jessie

 "Robyn was extremely understanding and empathetic as my postnatal doula and her focus on me while everyone around me focused on my new baby was a huge relief. Her understanding was also potentially key to my emotional recovery postpartum and supporting my alone bonding time with my new baby when she took my older children out. Her knowledge on birth and breastfeeding was very helpful to my partner. Her empathy was especially notable and much needed in my postnatal period. Robyn was knowledgeable and able to gently informed my partner and also navigated the dynamic that emerged in my family during the postnatal period very sensitively." - Ayesha 

 "Robyn is a wonderful doula. She has a very non-judgmental, empathic approach and is a great listener. It's hard to imagine that I would have had the home birth I had without her. She provided so much support not only to me but to my partner too and I know he felt more equipped to support me as a result. Robyn shared so much knowledge with us in the first few weeks after birth when we worked with her for a short time as a postnatal doula and I believe my breastfeeding journey was able to get off to such a successful start because of her support and guidance. She also has great knowledge around slings, and we were able to use one very early on and build confidence in doing this with her guidance." - Anna