Imogen Paton

Hello I’m Imogen, a postnatal doula and fine artist based in London. I share my life with my partner and four wonderful children. I am a big nature and wildlife lover (who in contrast spends the vast proportion of her life in the city) and am at my happiest when looking out over a view with minimal buildings or eating good food with friends or family!

Ever since I was a little girl, I had aspirations of motherhood. I dreamt of having children and being firmly rooted in a life of giving, nurturing and loving in abundance (even though the man I dreamt of sharing this with was Elvis Presley!) Fast forward many years and my journey into “doulahood” has been shaped by my own experiences of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, each one different in circumstances and equally in outcome.  I realised that birth can often feel so unpredictable and yet we women spend hours, weeks, months and sometimes years mentally preparing for it. The unfortunate thing is that so often we are not given the necessary tools to fully support that preparative stage and to arm ourselves fully for the best possible outcome. A huge part of this preparation comes from good support and access to a wide range of options when making decisions.

I am deeply passionate about stabilising the foundations of new and expectant parents as they embark on the magical- and all too often stressful – journey of parenthood, supporting them through the transition to becoming the parents they’ve always aspired to be. There’s something truly heartwarming about holding space for a birthing person and their family as they navigate this life-altering transformation. For me, the birthing process symbolises not just the arrival of new babies but also the beautiful growth and adaptation of adults into their new roles, all while honouring the essence of who they’ve been. It is easy to overlook yourself when constantly considering the welfare of another that relies upon you. This is especially true in the postnatal period when many parents find themselves alone and unprepared for the challenges they may face.

I was lucky enough to have a doula present at my second birth; an utterly transformative experience, especially as I had a previous not-so-pleasant birth experience to compare it to. It planted a firm belief that every person going through childbirth should have access to this level of support. Sadly, I’m mindful that many face challenges that hinder them from receiving it. That’s why I’ve personally committed myself to casting a wide and welcoming net, in the hope that every individual, regardless of their past experiences or any other aspect of their identity, may be treated with the highest level of care and nurturing. Birth and parenting should never be arenas for judgment, control, or bias. Instead, they should be spaces filled with empathy, understanding, and empowerment.

Over the years, I’ve embarked on a diverse professional path, consistently harnessing the power of art wherever possible, as a means of communication and a vehicle for healing. My unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of others, even while facing my own personal challenges, has led me to undertake a series of successful and distinctive projects. I’ve had the privilege of founding and leading a charitable initiative aimed at supporting victims of domestic abuse, and additionally working as an ambassador and guest speaker for Solace women’s Aid, an arts based workshop facilitator for people with dementia, swimming instructor, and key worker for children with special needs.

Studies I have completed:

Younique Postnatal Doula Initial Preparation Course

Additional study days attended:

Newborn Parents Parental Brain Summit

Birth Companions – Understanding women’s lived experience of children’s social care proceedings: Virtual learning event